Zygonyx flavicosta (Sjöstedt, 1900)
Ensign Cascader

Synonyms:

  • scientific: ? Z. fallax (Schouteden, 1934)

Type locality: No DATA, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to Z. denticulatus by (a) size, Hw 35-45 mm; (b) dorsum of thorax without pale cross-band anterior to antealar sinus; (c) 11½-14½ Ax in Fw; (d) hind legs (largely) black, with femoral denticles directed towards apex of femur; (e) apex of anterior lamina pointed and curved forwards; (f) S7 with prominent pale mark: broad subbasal band or large dorsal spot, standing out against (largely) dark S5-6. However, differs by (1) being widespread; (2) dark metallic area extends to anterior side of frons; (3) Pt and labrum black rather than pale brown; (4) genital lobe with smooth apical border. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but also rivers, mostly in open areas in forest, but also shaded by (gallery) forest. Often faster sections (rapids, falls) with rocks and a gravelly and/or sandy bottom. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly below 700, although possibly even higher up.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Ghana; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Sierra Leone; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; NOT confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire


Male © Jens Kipping


Abdominal segment 2 (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):


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, "Africa No1" (= Station de radiodiffusion de Moyabi) © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Cédric Vanappelghem


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa-Gbeleyee Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa-Gbeleyee Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, border with Guinea © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Loge valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, Loge valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika.Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun.Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Longfield, C. (1959). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part II. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 45, 13-42. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].