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Guide to Perchers

A closer look

Genus Diplacodes Kirby, 1889
Worldwide Distribution
  • There are 10 species in Africa, Eurasia and Australia.
  • 4 species in Africa. 3 species are common in South African, 1 species common in Okavango delta area of Botswana.
General information:
  • Diplacodes (Perchers) species have 6½ - 7½ Ax veins in forewing.
  • Diplacodes species have distinctive abdomen pattern (like a hand with a pointing fore finger).
  • D. lefebvrii (Black Percher) and D. pumila (Dwarf Percher), are similar. Becomes difficult to identify when the males age and blacken completely, obscuring diagnostic markings.
  • D. lefebvrii and D. pumila must preferably be measured (length and hindwing) for the most accurate identification but younger specimens  may be identified with reasonable acuracy.
  • D. lefebvrii and D. pumila young males and females are almost similar.
  • D. pumila and Palpopleura jucunda (Yellow-veined Widow) are the smallest Anisoptera (Dragonflies) in our region.
  • D. deminuta (Little Percher) is very widespread in Africa (not in South Africa). Only really common in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Synopsis

  • Available images are shown
  • Click on an image to view more details of the species
  • Colours change with age
A closer look

Barbet Percher, Diplocodes luminans

100 2004 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 3
100 2005 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 5
100 2007 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 11
100 2008 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 12
100 2009 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 14
100 2010 Diplacodes luminans Barbet Percher Kgomo kgomo LP RSA Dec 2017r 15

Male

100 2599 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 2
100 3602 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 3
100 3604 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 6
100 3606 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 10
100 3607 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 12
100 3609 diplacodes luminans barbet percher female close up rnr rsa feb 2020r 14

Female

Black Percher, Diplacodes lefebvrii

100 2693 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 2
100 2694 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 4
100 2696 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 7
100 2697 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 9
100 2698 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 13
100 2699 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Male Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2019r 15

Male

100 2094 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 2
100 2095 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 5
100 2096 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 4
100 2098 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 10
100 2099 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 15
100 2100 Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher Female Close up Ndumo KZN RSA Mch 2018r 17

Female

 Dwarf Percher, Diplacodes pumila

100 882 Diplacodes pumila Dwarf Percher Swartfontein MP RSA Jul 2015r 1
100 883 Diplacodes pumila Dwarf Percher Swartfontein MP RSA Jul 2015r 2
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diplacodes deminuta Little Percher

Diplacodes deminuta Little PercherJens KippingMale © Jens Kipping