Lead Riverking

Family Libellulidae (Leach, 1815)

Genus Zygonoides, Riverkings Dragonflies

1 species endemic to Madagascar
- Zygonoides lachesis (Ris, 1912) Madagascar Riverking
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Previously the three continental African species, and a fourth endemic to Madagascar, were superficially placed in the genus Olpogastra. (Bottletail)

Large (hindwing 38-45 mm) and robust species with ringed abdomen, thus appearing superficially like Zygonyx torridus, Ringed Cascader,
The Ringed Cascader has dark brown eyes with maturity, while those of Zygonoides are bluish or green .
Male of genus is similar to Olpogastra Bottletail.
Click HERE for the detail diagnosis of this Genus Zygonoides
Click HERE for the detail diagnosis of this Genus Olpogastra

Z fraseri. Rivers shaded by gallery forest. Especially faster sections (rapids, falls), often with rocks. Recorded at around 100 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1200.
Z. fuelleborni. Mostly rivers, but also streams and large lakes, in open landscapes or shaded by gallery forest. Especially faster sections (rapids, falls), often with rocks, rocky lake shores,. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly below 1100, although possibly up to 2100
Z. occidentis appears to favour huge forest rivers like the Congo and Ubangui. Rivers in open areas in forest. Probably especially faster sections (rapids, falls). From 300 to 400 m above sea level, but possibly up to 700.

Behaviour similar to Zygonyx torridus, Ringed Cascader, , patrolling aggressively over faster sections of rivers, but perching more frequently and with abdomen raised rather than hanging.

Genus
Zygonoides

Zygonoides fraseri
Northern Riverking

Zygonoides occidentis,
Congo Riverking.

Zygonoides fraseri
- Côte d'Ivoire; Ghana; Uganda
Zygonoides fuelleborni
- Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia; Zimbabwe;
Zygonoides occidentis
- Democratic Republic of the Congo; Nigeria