Proischnura subfurcata, Fork-tailed Bluet, Mikstertbloutjie

Short Description:

Proischnura subfurcata, Fork-tailed Bluet is small sized Blue and black damselfly with distinct abdominal markings

Family Coenagrionidae Kirby, 1890

• Proischnura subfurcata Fork-tailed Bluet

More image :

Key identification features:

Male:

Female:

Compared with other species:

• Africallagma Sapphirinum (Sapphire bluet) has small linked blue tear dropped postocular spot and clearly defined blue bands on 4-5.
• A. Glaucum (Swamp Bluet) has small blue paddle shaped linked postocular spots and differs on S7 by not having the deep triangular keyhole shaped marking as compared to A. fractum.
• Azuragrion nigridorsum (Sailing Bluet) has very small postocular spots linked with a broad blue band S 8 is a blue ring next to S9. This ring becomes open for the first half with black on top. S 10 is a saddle like black patch on top.
• Proischnura rotundepennis (Roundwing Bluet) has large blue tear dropped shaped postocular spot that is not linked. S 8 may be black towards the rear S 10 only has a blue band on the underside of the segment.

Behaviour:

• Conspicuous as it sits high on tall grass stems

Habitat

• Standing and often temporary waters in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 900 to 2800 m above sea level, but mostly between 1100 and 2100.

Distribution

South Africa

• Not recorded

Africa

• Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Nigeria; Rwanda; Somalia; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe

Further reading:

Websites of interest:
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Least Concern
Odonata Atlas of Africa VMU Number 662320
African Dragonflies & Damselflies Online
A Visual Guide to the Damselflies and Dragonflies of South Africa