Harlequin Sprite (Pseudagrion newtoni)

Harlequin Sprite, Pseudagrion newtoni, Harlekyngesie. A-group

Male

Short Description:

Harlequin Sprite, Pseudagrion newtoni, Harlekyngesie is small, bright, multi-coloured, orange head, green sides, blue abdominal tip.

Family Coenagrionidae Kirby, 1890

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Female

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Key identification features:

Male:

Face orange. Labrum bright orange. Cheeks and postclypeus yellowish orange. Top of head dull black with light orange postocular spots and light orange line between them.
Eyes deep reddish brown above, yellowish brown below. Neck black with light orange markings.
Thorax dull black with glossy black and light orange stripes above, sides bright light green, lower part bluish green.
Wings clear. Pterostigmas reddish brown.
Abdomen glossy greenish black above, bluish green below. Second half of segment 7 with saddle-like markingand all of segments 8 and 9 bright blue. Segment 10 black with a distinctive bright blue heart shape marking dorsally. All blue markings made vivid by being edged with deep black. Superior appendages black.

Female:

Buff and pale green face, top of head dull black,
Eyes yellowish green with dark brown cap,
Thorax glossy greenish black and bright yellowish green
Abdomen glossy greenish black and bright yellowish green, segments 7 to 9 with distinct splashes

Distribution and habitat:

Endemic to South Africa.
Previously seen as localised to KZN, but new records from Mpumalanga Province indicate lack of research into this species.
Preferred habitat is fine, tall grass and reeds overhanging swift, rocky, montane rivers.
Inferred to occur from 1000 to 1800 m above sea level.

Behaviour:

Perches on the grasses surrounding flowing rocky stream where it is actively hunting therefore easily seen

Additional information:

P. newtoni is known from only a few location, where it is abundant, and it is expected to occur elsewhere in the KZN and Mpumalanga areas because extensive alien invasive tree removal is underway to improve habitat there. It is clear that the population has suffered a severe decline in the recent past.
In addition to the species' natural rarity, its specialized riparian habitat (tall grasses) is under threat from increasing pressure from domestic livestock (especially cattle) visiting the water's edge. In Mpumalanga it is found in the grassland streams between forested areas and further investigation is required in this area as it may be seen in a wider yet restricted area as what is presently known Illegal gold mining is placing the habitats near Pilgremsrest under severe pressure
Not listed as Endangered because it occurs in a type of general habitat that is very extensive and has not been fully explored and because the removal of alien trees has an extremely beneficial effect on this species; there is a trade-off between improvement of habitat by tree removal and deterioration through overgrazing.
It is assessed as vulnerable based on its restricted range.

Compared with other species:

Similar to Pseudagrion hageni, Painted Sprite.
P. newtoni has a distinct yellowish orange face.
P. newtone has much smaller blue saddle like marking , not black, abdominal segment S 7.
P. hageni tropicanum has an all greenish thorax, where P. newtoni is orange above with green on the sides.
P. newtone and P hageni tropicanum share habitat.

Distribution

Female:

Endemic to South Africa.
Previously seen as localised to KZN, but new records from Mpumalanga Province indicate lack of research into this species.