Platycypha lacustris (Förster, 1914)
Forest Jewel

Type locality: Entebbe, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. caligata by (a) humeral and metapleural stripes narrow, about as wide as hind femur is thick, black of mesepimeron usually clearly dissected by pale ‘posthumeral’ stripe; (b) dorsum of S2-10 blue; (c) paraprocts less than half as long as cerci (lateral view). However, differs by (1) favouring forested streams and rivers; (2) sides of S1-3 and thorax greenish, rather than reddish with maturity; (3) S2-7 and sometimes S8 with apical black bar. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams shaded by forest, but sometimes in clearings. Usually with dead trunks or branches and probably submerged roots and/or coarse detritus. From 500 to 1900 m above sea level, but mostly between 900 and 1600, although possibly down to 100.

Distribution

Abdomen (dorsal 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.

References

• Förster, F. (1914). Beiträge zu den Gattungen und Arten der Libellen (N. III). Archiv Naturgeschichte Abteilung A, 80, 59-83.
• 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]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-14].