Pseudagrion sublacteum

Cherry-eye sprite
Male
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Pseudagrion
Species:	P. sublacteum
Binomial name
Pseudagrion sublacteum (Karsch, 1893)

Pseudagrion sublacteum or cherry-eye sprite is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Africa from northern South Africa to West and North Africa, and in the Middle East. ^[1]

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical streams and rivers. ^[1]

Male cherry-eye sprite.

A medium-sized damselfly (length 32–41 mm; wingspan 42–48 mm). ^[2] The face is brick red and the front of the eyes are cherry-red; the back of the eyes are black above and green below; it has mauvish reddish brown post-ocular spots that are joined by a stripe of the same colour. The synthorax is mauvish brown (ageing to purplish brown) with black stripes above; the sides are light blue. The abdomen is black above and green below; segments eight and nine are bright blue with narrow black rings at their ends and segment ten is black above with bright blue sides. ^[3] Cerci are longer than paraprocts, which are hatchet shaped with a dorsal knob. ^[4]

References

1. Clausnitzer, V. (2016). "Pseudagrion sublacteum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T60033A83868557. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T60033A83868557.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
2. Tarboton, W.R.; Tarboton, M. (2005). A fieldguide to the damselflies of South Africa. Warwick & Michèle Tarboton. ISBN   0-620-33878-4.
3. Samways, Michael J. (2008). Dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa (1st ed.). Sofia: Pensoft. ISBN   978-954-642-330-6.
4. Dijkstra, K.-D.B.; Clausnitzer, V. (2014). The dragonflies and damselflies of eastern Africa. Tervuren: Royal Museum for Central Africa. ISBN   978-94-916-1506-1.

External links

Cherry-eye sprite Species text in the Online Atlas of South African Odonata