Thorntails

Family Gomphidae      Rambur, 1842

• Genus Ceratogomphus       Selys, 1854

Africa

• Two species in southern Africa. One endemic to southern Africa
  
  • Cape Thorntail. C. triceraticus is confined to the southern Cape area of South Africa
  • Common Thorntail C. pictus in countries mostly south of the equator

General description:

• Medium-sized (hindwing 28-30 mm) dragonfly with milky thorax bands and yellow costa contrasting with black pterostigma that recall Crenigomphus, but the modified abdominal segment 10, foliation on segment 8 only and distinct anal loop suggest Phyllogomphus is the genus’ nearest relative.

Habitat and behaviour

• Both species inhabit open and calm pool-like sections of streams and rivers, and often perch on the ground or rocks.
• C. picta also easily colonises a body of water confined within an enclosure, as a reservoir, which is unusual for gomphids (Clubtails).

Identification guide

• Click HERE for a list of southern African Clubtails by image
• Click HERE for an identification guide for Clubtails based on images of the thorax

Synopsis

• Only images of males are shown
• To view images of female follow the menu links to the main description pages
• Click on all images to enlarge.

A selection of images: Thorntails

Identification guide

• Click HERE for a list of southern African Clubtails by image
• Click HERE for an identification guide for Clubtails based on images of the thorax

Images of southern African Clubtails

Distribution