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

Trithemis dorsalis
      Highland Dropwing
   Malolotja

View photos in Biodiversity Explorer

Distribution: Common at elevations above 700 m a.s.l., especially above 1000 m a.s.l., although at lower elevations in Western Cape Province. Throughout South Africa, except coastal areas. Principally a Drakensberg and highveld species. To East and Central Africa.
Body Length: 37.5-38.5 mm
Hind Wing Length: 27.5-29 mm
Habitat: Mostly large lakes and dams, and still reaches of rivers. Rarely smaller pools or swift rivers.
Flight Period: November to May
Features: Medium-sized, all deep blue. Tall grass bordering lakes, dams and river pools, mostly at higher elevations. Throughout much of South Africa.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by photos by Kate Braun, Gerhard Diedericks and Wilna Steenkamp, and by SA damselflies and dragonflies checklist (Durban Natural Science Museum, 2000).

10 records, from 11/20/2013 to 3/23/2019

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