Genus Zygonoides, Riverkings Dragonflies
Family Libellulidae (Leach, 1815)
Distribution Africa
Genus Zygonoides, Riverkings Dragonflies
- 1 species endemic to Madagascar
- Zygonoides lachesis (Ris, 1912) Madagascar Riverking
Click here to review an image of this species
- Zygonoides lachesis (Ris, 1912) Madagascar Riverking
- Three species in Africa
General information
- Previously the three continental African species, and a fourth endemic to Madagascar, were superficially placed in the genus Olpogastra. (Bottletail)
General description
- Large (hindwing 38-45 mm) and robust species with ringed abdomen, thus appearing superficially like Zygonyx torridus, Ringed Cascader,
- The Ringed Cascader has dark brown eyes with maturity, while those of Zygonoides are bluish or green .
- Male of genus is similar to Olpogastra Bottletail.
- Click HERE for the detail diagnosis of this Genus Zygonoides
- Click HERE for the detail diagnosis of this Genus Olpogastra
Habitat
- Z fraseri. Rivers shaded by gallery forest. Especially faster sections (rapids, falls), often with rocks. Recorded at around 100 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1200.
- Z. fuelleborni. Mostly rivers, but also streams and large lakes, in open landscapes or shaded by gallery forest. Especially faster sections (rapids, falls), often with rocks, rocky lake shores,. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly below 1100, although possibly up to 2100
- Z. occidentis appears to favour huge forest rivers like the Congo and Ubangui. Rivers in open areas in forest. Probably especially faster sections (rapids, falls). From 300 to 400 m above sea level, but possibly up to 700.
Behaviour
- Behaviour similar to Zygonyx torridus, Ringed Cascader, , patrolling aggressively over faster sections of rivers, but perching more frequently and with abdomen raised rather than hanging.
Distribution for Species and Genus Zygonoides, Riverkings
- Zygonoides fraseri
- Côte d'Ivoire; Ghana; Uganda
- Zygonoides fuelleborni
- Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia; Zimbabwe;
- Zygonoides occidentis
- Democratic Republic of the Congo; Nigeria
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.
- Images are shown when available
A selection of images
Reference:
- BioLib.cz
- Naturewide Images
- Zygonoides
- Review of The Genus Zygonoides
- ADW: Zygonoides: CLASSIFICATION