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 pluvialis
      Russet Dropwing
   Malolotja Mlawula

View photos in Biodiversity Explorer

Distribution: Localised, Limpopo highveld and middle-elevation KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga, 600-1500 m a.s.l. Occasionally Western Cape Province. To East Africa.
Body Length: 37-39 mm
Hind Wing Length: 29-30 mm
Habitat: Swift, wide, rocky rivers in bushy savanna, and with extensive reed margins. Often occurs singly in isolated and unexpected localities.
Flight Period: November to April
Features: Medium-sized, bright orange tending to bright reddish, with small rounded, orange splashes on hindwing. Perches conspicuously on reed and sedge stems in swift, rocky, reedlined, bushy savanna rivers. Localised in S, North and East of South Africa.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by photos by Kate Braun and Gerhard Diedericks.

5 records, from 3/31/2013 to 1/21/2019

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