Sprites
Order ODONATA Fabricius, 1793
- Suborder ZYGOPTERA Selys, 1854
- Family Coenagrionidae Kirby, 1890
- Genus Pseudagrion Selys, (A–group)
- Genus Pseudagrion Selys, 1876 (B–group)
- Family Coenagrionidae Kirby, 1890
General
The Genus Pseudagrion is divided into the A- and B-groups. The differences between the group may leed to a new genus being created when more research is completed.
Distribution Worldwide
- Pseudagrion is the largest genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, with over 140 species.
- Its range includes most of Africa, much of Asia, and Australia.
- Africa holds most of the diversity with almost 100 species.
- It has occupied most of the freshwater habitats in its range, and dominates damselfly communities in habitats as different as desert pools, equatorial rain forests and montane streams.
Distribution in Africa and surrounding Islands
On the African continent, the genus comprises two distinct groups:
- The "A-group" has about 45 species - they are predominantly highland species and males lack spines on S10;
- The "B-group" has about 25 species - mainly from lowlands and males have spines on S10.
- A third Afrotropical group comprises 31 species from the forest streams of Madagascar and the Comoros.
General identification features
- Mainly slender, fairly small to fairly large (hindwing 17-29 mm), black damselflies with colourful accents on head, thorax and abdominal segments 7-10.
- Small to medium-sized (hindwing 14-24 mm), generally paler than those of the A-group, but diverse in the extent of black, bright colours and pruinosity.
Habitat
- Favour relatively cool habitats, e.g. shaded, running and/or elevated, those species inhabiting more open habitats tending to become densely pruinose.
- Inhabit relatively warm habitats, i.e. more often open, stagnant or temporary. Many have broad ecological and geographic ranges.
General Description
- Male of group similar to Pseudagrion B;
- Relatively small in size, Hindwing under 35 mm, Abdomen under 40 mm;
- Postocular spots often present
- Transverse ridge on frons absent
- Abdomen never with orange or red, but often with blue;
- Black markings usually more extensive, humeral stripe usually present, if absent body often with blue
- Frontwing quadrilateral with anterior border clearly shorter than distal border
- Arculus stands at or closer to Ax2.
- Pruinosity is common within the A_group
- Male of group differs by
- Apex of S10 bearing black denticles.
- In contrast to the A-group, variation within species can be great. Numerous forms and subspecies have been named, although these seem to have limited practical use, and much variation is age-dependent.
- Male of group similar to Pseudagrion A;
- Relatively small in size,.
- Hindwing under 35 mm, Abdomen under 40 mm;
- Postocular spots often present
- Transverse ridge on frons absent
- Abdomen never with orange or red, but often with blue
- Black markings usually more extensive, humeral stripe usually present, if absent body often with blue
- Frontwing quadrilateral with anterior border clearly shorter than distal border;
- Arculus stands at or closer to Ax2.
- Pruinosity is uncommon within the B_group
- Male of group differs by
- Metapleural suture often with black stripe, rather than black dot at dorsal end;
- S8-9 often at least laterally marked with black;
- Apex of S10 widely and smoothly excised, rather than narrow excision;
- Apex of S10 without black denticles, but may have lobes
- Cerci usually with two distinct branches and paraprocts often pointed but without spine or inferior bulge (lateral view).
Distribution
Widespread across Africa . Map not available
Synopsis
- Only images of males shown
- Selected in random order as illustration of the B-group sprites
- Images do not represent the African species list
Examples
A-group
Images and links to A-group Sprites
B-Group
Please click HERE for a informative article and complete collection of Southern African B-group Sprites
Images and links to B-group Sprites
[Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]