| Allocnemis leucosticta | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Platycnemididae |
| Genus: | Allocnemis |
| Species: | A. leucosticta |
| Binomial name | |
| Allocnemis leucosticta Selys, 1863 | |
Allocnemis leucosticta, the goldtail or goudstertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae. It is endemic to South Africa and Eswatini, where it lives near streams and rivers in wooded areas. [1] [2]
This is a highly distinctive medium-sized (50 mm (2.0 in) wingspan) damselfly, easily told apart from other species in the region. It has a blue face which extends down below the eyes. The dark abdomen is long and slender with narrow white bands at each segment. The wings are a smoky yellow-brown with diagnostic white pterostigmas, forming a wide wing spot near the tip. The white pterostigmas and yellowish wings are conspicuous in flight, making them easy to identify. Males and females look remarkably similar, with only the tip of the thorax differing. In males this is gold, while in females this may be gold, pale blue or white. [3] [4] [5]
Goldtails are mainly found in the mid to high altitude escarpment areas of South Africa and Eswatini. It is also, however, found at sea level in some places in KwaZulu-Natal and the Southern Cape. Its range extends from Table Mountain in the Western Cape to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo. It is common but localised across its range due to its habitat requirements. [4]
This species prefers streams that have clear, shallow water. [4] Nymphs are found under stones in the backwaters (areas where the currents are weak) of these streams. [3] This species is most commonly found in shady habitats, such as forested or well wooded streams and rivers or wooded ravines. [3] [4] It is also occasionally found around less shaded streams surrounded by grass and bushes, particularly in fynbos and montane grassland habitats. [4]
This species is most active from October to April, or spring to early autumn. They almost always perch on twigs, stems or vegetation over or close to the water. The males are highly noticeable as they sit in exposed positions over the stream in dappled sunlight. The females are often found near the males but are less numerous and are not quite as conspicuous. [4]
After mating, the male will continue to clasp the female behind her head and hold her as she dangles vertically, her abdomen submerged in the water. This allows her to lay her eggs in the rotten submerged twigs. [3]
This species is listed as least concern by the IUCN. Goldtails are, however, fairly sensitive to habitat degradation as they are intolerant of dirty water. They can be found on streams with some alien vegetation. [4]
Agriocnemis pinheyi is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Malawi.
Ceriagrion glabrum is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Its common names include common orange, common citril, common pond damsel, common waxtail, orange waxtail and gewone aljander. It is widespread in Africa, where it is found in habitats that are dominated by reeds.
Chlorolestes draconicus, the Drakensberg malachite, is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae.
Ecchlorolestes nylephtha is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae known commonly as the queen malachite. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known only from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces.
Onychogomphus supinus is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. English names include lined claspertail and gorge claspertail.
Pseudagrion newtoni, the harlequin sprite, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.
Trithemis annulata, known commonly as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, in the Middle East, in the Arabian Peninsula and southern Europe. These insects are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.
Trithemis arteriosa, the red-veined dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.
Elattoneura frenulata is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae known commonly as the sooty threadtail or Roetswartdraadstertjie. It is endemic to South Africa. It is a localised endemic of montane areas of the Western Cape, marginally expanding into the western parts of the Eastern Cape. Though it has a restricted distribution, it is locally common. It lives near slow-moving rivers with abundant vegetation.
Pseudagrion citricola is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the yellow-faced sprite.
Chlorolestes fasciatus, the mountain malachite or mountain sylph is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland. Its natural habitat is montane streams.
Pseudagrion caffrum, the springwater sprite is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland. Its natural habitats include montane streams with grassy banks.
Chlorolestes tessellatus, the forest malachite or mosaic sylph is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to South Africa. This shade-loving species is found at seeps and streams in forests and wooded valleys.
Pinheyschna subpupillata, the stream hawker, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae.
Syncordulia gracilis, the yellow presba, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae.
Chlorolestes conspicuus, the conspicuous malachite is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to south-western South Africa. This species is found at rivers and streams in both open and wooded valleys.
Chlorolestes umbratus, the white malachite is a species of damselfly in the family Synlestidae. It is endemic to southern South Africa. This species is found along rivers and streams in both forest and fynbos.
Proischnura rotundipennis, the round-winged bluet is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is scarce and localised.
Proischnura polychromatica, the mauve bluet, is a small species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to a small area of Cape Province in South Africa. The adult male has a mauve sheen to its dark-coloured body, a bronze-green thorax striped with mauve, and a pale brown abdomen with a bronze-green dorsal stripe. The female is mainly pale brown. The natural habitat of this damselfly is transient pools in stream beds with floating vegetation, especially sedges. Although previously more widespread, it is now known from a single location where it is threatened by the encroachment of cattle and the loss of suitable habitat. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as "endangered".
Pseudagrion draconis is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the mountain sprite.
