Trithemis pluvialis

Trithemis pluvialis, the river dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It occurs in Africa south of Kenya.

Trithemis pluvialis
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Family:
Libellulidae
Genus:
Trithemis
Species:
T. pluvialis
Binomial name
Trithemis pluvialis
Förster, 1906

Description
Mature male

The river dropwing is a medium-sized dragonfly with a bright orange to reddish colouration and small orange patches on the hindwings. The abdomen shows small black dorsal stripes. The eyes are brownish orange. The female is stouter than the male and more mottled. The species often perches conspicuously on reeds or sedges.[2]

Distribution

It is found in Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[3] This dragonfly prefers swift rocky rivers with extensive reed margins in savanna habitats.[2]

Conservation

The species is widely spread and populations do not appear to be declining, although like many dragonflies it is likely being impacted by water pollution, drainage and habitat loss through agricultural expansion and intensification.[1]

References
  1. Clausnitzer, V. & Suhling, F. (2010). "Trithemis pluvialis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T60065A12290756. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T60065A12290756.en.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Samways, Michael J. (2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Pensoft Publishers. ISBN 9789546423306.
  3. Dijkstra, K-D. B.; Clausnitzer, V (2015). The dragonflies and damselflies of Eastern Africa. ISBN 978-94-91615-06-1.


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