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 kirbyi
      Orange-winged Dropwing
   Malolotja Mantenga Mlawula

View photos in Biodiversity Explorer

Distribution: Throughout much of South Africa. To West Africa and Arabian Peninsula, and across Asia.
Body Length: 35-38 mm
Hind Wing Length: 25-26.5 mm
Habitat: Shallow, rocky rivers and rock pools, even temporary ones, in arid areas or hot savanna. Around water troughs and swimming pools.
Flight Period: November to May, with occasional winter individuals.
Features: Small to medium-sized, bright orangish red, with large orange splashes on all wings. Perches mostly on rocks in or beside shallow rivers, mostly in arid or savanna areas. Common in Kruger National Park.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by photo by Kate Braun, Tina Petterson, Phillip Nieuwoudt and Gerhard Diedericks, and by SA damselflies and dragonflies checklist (Durban Natural Science Museum, 2000).

55 records, from 4/22/2011 to 10/19/2019

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