Kenya & Tanzania Dragonflies Nov/Dec 12 (1 Viewer)

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 7, 2013

• #1

Some unidentified dragonflies from a recent trip to Kenya & Tanzania in Nov/Dec 12. I've no idea of the Odonata of the region so any help greatly appreciated:

Kenya - Sarova Taita Hills lodge:


Tanzania - Ngorongoro crater (Hippo Pools):


Tanzania - Serengeti (Sopa Lodge):


Kenya - Voyager camp, nr Tsavo West:
Possibly, Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea)?


Kenya - Voyager camp, nr Tsavo West:
Northern Banded Groundling (Brachythemis impartita)?

 

pdwinter

Paul Winter

• Jan 7, 2013

• #2

1. Pantala flavescens
2. Orthetrum sp ?trinacria
3. Trithemis kirbyii
I would have guessed the same as you for 4&5

 

RoyW

Well-known member

• Jan 8, 2013

• #3

I agree with the three ID's that Paul has given, and would suggest that No. 2 is Orthetrum trinacria (Long Skimmer).

I also agree with Scarlet Darter (AKA Broad Scarlet) for No. 4, but think that No. 5 may well be Southern Banded Groundling, Brachythemis leucosticta.

 

pdwinter

Paul Winter

• Jan 8, 2013

• #4

RoyW said:

... but think that No. 5 may well be Southern Banded Groundling, Brachythemis leucosticta.

Click to expand...

I can see that now! - the all dark borders to the pterostigmas and dark veins behind them. Pretty poor for someone who has B.impartita as their screensaver|:$|

 

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 8, 2013

• #5

Roy and Paul, many thanks for the help on the ID's. I'd also confused the Groudlings in my initial stab but I'd have had no clue on the others. Incidentally is there an authoritative field guide for the region? There doesn't seem to be a recent one for butterflies ....

 

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 8, 2013

• #6

I've just realised I missed one very long distance shot from Shimba lodge. This is a heavy crop from a shot taken in flight of a v v large dragonfly, it was at least twice of the other dragonflies over the pool.

 

RoyW

Well-known member

• Jan 9, 2013

• #7

AlexJPemberton said:

This is a heavy crop from a shot taken in flight of a v v large dragonfly, it was at least twice of the other dragonflies over the pool

Click to expand...

Black Emperor, Anax tristis.

 

RoyW

Well-known member

• Jan 9, 2013

• #8

AlexJPemberton said:

Incidentally is there an authoritative field guide for the region? There doesn't seem to be a recent one for butterflies ....

Click to expand...

There is nothing at all readily available for East Africa at present - South African guides (eg. Samways) cover many of the species, but any ID that use them (including the ones I have suggested) has to take into account the fact that there may be similar closely related species.

Africa-dragonfly.net is a good web resource (but not comprehensive).

 

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 10, 2013

• #9

Thanks again Roy, good to know on the field guide/website front.

Cheers

Alex

 

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 19, 2013

• #10

One further from Shimba - Red-veined Darter?

Possibly Red-veined Darter?

 

RoyW

Well-known member

• Jan 20, 2013

• #11

This is an Orthetrum species (a skimmer). It is probably possible to get a specific ID from the details visible in this photo, but I would need to check some literature!

 

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AlexJPemberton

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2013

• #12

Thanks Roy, I've had a bit of a trawl and possibly O. chrysostigma or O. brachiale based on the single white stripe. I'm leaning towards the latter based on the amount of dark colouring on the lower body. That said the male non identified Orthetrum from Shimba
(http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=248123) looks more like the former.