Diptera.info

Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Dragonfly

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 22-02-2009 04:56

Pictured in Tanzania.

Posted by Xespok on 22-02-2009 07:45

Libelullidae.

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 22-02-2009 18:14

Thanks Xespok.
Any idea of genus and species?

Posted by Philippe moniotte on 23-02-2009 10:16

Could be a female Urothemis edwardsii (libellulidae)...
Philippe

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 04-03-2009 20:38

thanks philippe,
sorry 4got to reply earlier

Posted by RoyW on 31-03-2009 19:17

Hi,

This is a female of the genus Orthetrum (or possibly the closely related Nesciothemis - I wouldn't like to suggest a species though because there are several similar Orthetrum species in Africa and I don't have any information on species in Tanzania.

Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 01-04-2009 05:38

Thanks Roy.
What makes you say that contrary to Philippe's suggestion?

Posted by RoyW on 01-04-2009 17:41

The vein structure in the forewing rules out Urothemis which have only 6-8 antenodal cross veins (the dragonfly in your photo has 12) + both sexes of U. edwardsii should show a dark patch at the base of the hindwing. The position of the arculus - which is in line with the second antenodal vein - points to Orthetrum.

Roy.