Rhyothemis notata (Fabricius, 1781)
Veiled Flutterer

Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to R. fenestrina by (a) at least outer halves of Hw with dark markings, but no isolated broad bands on wing tips; (b) 1-6 cell-doublings in radial planate of all wings, only rarely none. However, differs by (1) occurring only from C DRC to W Africa; (2) clear ‘window’ distal to node in Fw absent, at most less intensely coloured there: most proximal postnodal subcostal cells (1 or more) are all dark; dark area on Fw seldom reaches more than halfway between node to Pt, only occasionally reaches Pt; (3) hook of hamule weakly rather than strongly curved. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters in open areas in forest, but sometimes shaded. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation, coarse detritus and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 700 m above sea level, but mostly below 600.

Distribution

confirmed: Benin; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Liberia; Nigeria; Sierra Leone


Male © Dirk Motshagen

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; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Putu Iron Ore Mining concession © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Equateur, Lower Itimbiri © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


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


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, East of Isangi © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, route Bongoville-Leconi / rivière Boubou © Mézière, Nicolas

References

  • Fabricius, J.C. (1787) Mantissa insectorum sistens species nuper detectas adiectis synonymis, observationibus, descriptionibus, emendationibus. Christ Gotti, Hafniae, 382.
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika.Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun.Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
  • Kirby, W.F. (1900). Report on the Neuroptera Odonata collected by Mr E. E. Austen at Sierra Leone during August and September 1899. Annals Magazine Natural History, 6, 67-79. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1971). Odonata collected in Republique Centre-Africaine by R. Pujol. Arnoldia, 5, 1-16. [PDF file]

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