Yellowwings

The common name for the genus is Yellowwings. In the South Africa the species Allocnemis leucosticta is known as Goldtails

Family Platycnemididae Yakobson & Bianchi, 1905 Stream Damsels

Africa

  • Eighteen species are all endemic to Africa

Southern Africa

General:
  • Males are sleek, fairly large (hindwing 20-28 mm) and largely black damselflies with yellow to deep amber wings and bright accents of colour (mainly pale blue or orange), e.g. on abdomen tip.
  • Moving spots of colour often first draw attention in the gloom of their habitat, small streams and springs in deep forest shade.
Habitat
  • All species favour marshy, mostly stagnant, habitats.
General Identification:
  • Males are sleek, fairly large (hindwing 20-28 mm) and largely black damselflies with yellow to deep amber wings and bright accents of colour (mainly pale blue or orange), e.g. on abdomen tip.
  • Moving spots of colour often first draw attention in the gloom of their habitat, small streams and springs in deep forest shade.
Synopsis
  • Where available only males are shown
  • A click on the species name will link to the main species description article and image gallery

Click on all images to enlarge.

100 269 Allocnemis leucosticta Goldtail Male Laduma LP RSA Dec 2018r 8
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution
  • The genus is most diverse in the rainforests of western and central Africa.
Genus Allocnemis Goldtails Genus Distribution Map Africa July 20212021