Fairytails

Family Gomphidae      Rambur, 1842

• Genus Lestinogomphus Martin, 1912

Africa   

• Endemic to tropical Africa    
• Currently 10 species are known but more species may well be found

Southern Africa

• Two species visible in south Africa'
•  Spined Fairytail, L. angustus and the recently described Silky's Fairytail, L silkeae seen in the Eastern lowveld are on rare occasions Closely resembles L. angustus and inspection of the rlasper structure.

General description:

• Very small (hindwing 17-23 mm),
• Slender abdomen and narrow wings, recalling a damselfly (the scientific name derives from Lestes).
• Abdominal segment 10 is elongated in both sexes and bent down at rest

Habitat and behaviour

• Habitats are poorly known, probably mostly streams and rivers with forest, e.g. L. congoensis prefers small, open and rather muddy streams and L. angustus rivers with gallery forest.

Identification guide

• Click HERE for a list of southern African Clubtails by image
• Click HERE for an identification guide for Clubtails based on images of the thorax

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 of species that are available are shown

A selection of images

Identification guide

Click HERE for an identification guide for Clubtails based on images of the thorax

Learn more about southern African Clubtails