Pseudagrion (B) acaciae Förster, 1906
Acacia Sprite

Type locality: Transvaal, South Africa

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. rufostigma and P. sjoestedti by (a) face usually reddish, sometimes yellow, postocular spots and antehumeral stripes often present; (b) at least tibiae pale, contrasting with femora when these are dark; (c) S8-9 both usually distinctly marked with black apically, sometimes pruinose; (d) lateral lobes of penis rounded or absent; (e) cerci without flange, at most inner border of lower branch angled; (f) paraprocts at most slightly longer than cerci; (g) paraprocts not hatchet-shaped, if low knob present then apex is long and pointed. Paraprocts with rounded apex. However, differs by (1) ranging from NE South Africa to Tanzania and Katanga; (2) apical black on S8-9 normally restricted to dorsum, rather than extending ventrally to sides; (3) cerci with ventral notch in lateral view, often appearing hooked; (4) tips of paraprocts curved up almost vertically (lateral view), rather than only curved up weakly. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Rivers in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Often with emergent vegetation. From 0 to 1300 m above sea level, but mostly below 1100, although possibly up to 2300.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)	Appendages (lateral view)
Penis (lateral view)

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.

Barcode specimen(s):

References

• Förster, F. (1906). Die Libellulidengattungen von Afrika und Madagaskar. Jahresbericht Mannheimer Vereins Naturkunde, 72, 1-67.
• Consiglio, C. (1978). Odonata collected in ethopia by the expeditions of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 375, 27-51. [PDF file]
• Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 1-97. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1973). Notes on some African representatives of the genus Pseudagrion Selys, 1876, with descriptions of two new species (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 2, 317-327. [PDF file]
• Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
• Dumont, H.J. (1978). On confusion about the identity of Pseudagrion acaciae Foerster, 1906, with the description of P. niloticum spec. nov., and on the identity of P. hamoni Fraser, 1955 (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 7, 123-133. [PDF file]
• Chutter, F.M. (1962). A new species of Pseudagrion (Odonata: Zygoptera) with descriptions of the larvae of five other species belonging to the genus. Revista Biologia, 3, 171-198. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-14].