UPDATED CHECKLIST: An Adobe pdf version of the checklist as at December 2018 is available here (click to view/download - approx 10 MB).

View lists of Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies by eighth degree grid square

Anax speratus
      (Eastern) Orange Emperor
   Mlawula

View photos in Biodiversity Explorer

Distribution: Throughout much of South Africa from sea level to 1700 m a.s.l. To East and West Africa.
Body Length: 76-78 mm
Hind Wing Length: 53-54 mm
Habitat: Bush- or reed-lined streams and small rivers with moderate current, occasionally pools.
Flight Period: Late September to April.
Features: Enormous, all orange. Flies swiftly up and down streams and small rivers close to water surface. Common along small, montane rivers throughout southern and eastern areas. Localised elsewhere.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by photos by Kate Braun and Gerhard Diedericks, and by SA damselflies and dragonflies checklist (Durban Natural Science Museum, 2000).

7 records, from 12/28/2013 to 4/3/2019

Information extracted from "Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa" by Michael J Samways, which also includes detailed descriptions of each species.