Agriocnemis gratiosa Gerstäcker, 1891
Gracious Wisp

Type locality: Zanzibar, Tanzania

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. inversa by (a) generally at open habitats; widespread in E and S Africa; (b) antehumeral stripes normally present, or thorax pruinose; (c) Pt in all wings of similar hue; (d) paraprocts longer than cerci, often longer than S10, and slender, tapering to single fine point. However, differs by (1) apex of S10 only raised slightly, not rod-like; (2) cerci like paraprocts ending with small black hook; (3) paraprocts only slightly longer than S10. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, rivers, streams, possibly also flowing channels in marshes and large lakes, in open landscapes, open areas in forest and shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 1600 m above sea level, but mostly below 1400.

Distribution

confirmed: Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Rwanda; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; NOT confirmed: Angola; Zimbabwe


Male © Boguslav Daraz


Female © Boguslav Daraz


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (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; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Female; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Gerstäcker, A. (1891). Jahrbuch Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten, 9, 185-191. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1974). A revision of the African Agriocnemis Selys and Mortonagrion Fraser (Odonata Coenagrionidae). Occasional Papers National Museums Rhodesia B Natural Science, 5, 171-278. [PDF file]
  • Balinsky, B.I. (1961). Observations on the dragonfly fauna of the coastal region of Zululand, with descriptions of three new species (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 24, 72-91. [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. (1962). New or little-known dragonflies (Odonata) of Central and Southern Africa. Occasional Papers National Museum Southern Rhodesia, 26, 892-911. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]

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