Claspertails

Worldwide

Currently 11 species.
The placement of about ten Afrotropical species in Onychogomphus is dubious and all are likely to be allocated to other genera in the near future.
Probably only the four North African species represent the true genus Onychogomphus.
At least seven species belong to the distinctive supinus-group, recognised by the male’s four-pronged epiproct and double-toothed cerci. Unfortunately they are rarely collected, leaving their taxonomy unresolved:. Identification is now based largely on markings and the female head structure, and males of some cannot be reliably separated.
In some regions where the group occurs it is unclear which species is present, e.g. in eastern Zimbabwe probably one of the paler and in southern Malawi one of the darker taxa. Whether the true O. supinus occurs outside South Africa is unclear.
Please click here for a full description of this genus

Inhabit streams and smaller rivers, often in highlands, both in open landscapes (pale species) and forest (dark ones). Males perch low on bank-side rocks or vegetation.

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