Baskers
Family Libellulidae Leach, 1815
- Genus Urothemis (Brauer, 1868) Baskers
- Genus Aethriamanta (Kirby, 1889) Pygmy Baskers
The name Basker is the common group name for two Genera
- Basker. Genus Urothemis
- Pygmy Basker. Genus Aethriamanta
Distribution:
Baskers:
- Ranges from Australia across Asia to Africa
- 5 species in Africa with 3 visible in the southern region
Pygmy Baskers:
- Four species are known from tropical Asia to Australia, with one throughout tropical Africa and Madagascar
General identification features
- Fairly large (hindwing 30-39 mm) The Pygmy Basker is very small (hindwing 19-23 mm)
- Bright red with one species blue pruinosed
- Typically rest in ‘pennant’ position, i.e. at the tip of a conspicuous perch, with legs thrust forward and wings raised.
- The bright red U. assignata (Red Basker) and dark blue U. edwardsii (Blue Basker) are common at open marshes and ponds throughout Africa.
- U. luciana (St Lucia Basker) is recorded irregularly in north-eastern South Africa but more records is emerging .
Synopsis
Images of males only are shown. View the female by follow the links to the main page
Detail Identification Guide:
Baskers
Male
Red Basker , (Rooisonvangertjie)
Urothemis assignata
Male
St Lucia Basker (St Lucia-sonvangertjie)
Urothemis luciana
Male
Blue Basker (Blousonvangertjie)
Urothemis edwards
Pygmy Baskers
Pygmy Basker, (Dwergsonvangertjie) Aethriamanta rezia
Click on all images to link to species page
