Dropwings

Identification - All Dropwings

100 930 Trithemis furva Navy Dropwing Male Nwanedi LP RSA Dec 2015 1 r 2Navy Dropwing Trithemis furva
Male
Orange winged Trithemis kirbyi Dropwing Male Marken LP RSA Dec 2017r 2Orange-winged
Trithemis kirbyi 
Male
100 901 Trithemis annulata Violet Dropwing Komatipoort Sept 2016r 11Violet DropwingTrithemis annulata
Male 
100 1761 Pseudagrion Kersteni Powder faced Sprite Male Ezemvelo GP RSA Sept 2019r 2Red-veined Dropwing
Trithemis arteriosa
Male
How to use this guide
  • Click on the link provided below to open the visual list.
  • At the bottom of the list is a button marked Previous Page. A click will link back to this page.
  • A click on any image will link to the detail page.
  • Decide on the primary colour of the species. Look at red, brown, Violet, Orange, light and dark blue. This is the primary colours for Dropwings
  • Compare image of the species to the list of all South African species, grouped by primary colour 100 1892 Paragomphus genei Common Hooktail Zaagkuildrift NWP RSA Febr 2017r 5 2for closer identification
  •  Compare the features based on images of the thorax100 945 Paragomphus genei Common Hooktail Male Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 1 for the perfect identification
  • Compare the abdomen markings 100 860 Trithemis arteriosa Red vained Dropwing Male Close UP RNR GP RSA Mch 2018r 14
  • Compare the wing markings 100 3132 Gomphidia guarrei Southern Fingertail Male Close up Leselo Lodge LP RSA OCT 2020r 23
General identification features
  • Coloured in combinations of red, brown, Violet, Orange, light and dark blue. This is the most common feature for this family.
  • All species have very distinctive markings on lateral and dorsal thorax.
  • Several species with distinctive abdomen markings This may change with age
  • Several species  may have distinct wing markings
Synopsis
  • Images ordered in alphabetical by scientific names
  • Only males are shown. To view images of female please follow the link provided by clicking on the image to the description page 
  • To view females follow the menu links to the species description page 
  • Click on images links to the species detail page
HERE we go into the world of identifying a Dropwing Dragonfly

Click HERE for list of species ordered by Colour - Red, Orange, Yellow, Violet

Click HERE for list of species ordered by Colour - Blue

Click HERE for list of species ordered by - Wing Patches/Markings