Fauna - Vertebrates
Common Hooktail, Mlawula

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

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Pseudagrion spernatum
      Upland Sprite
   

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Distribution: Widespread and abundant, 800-2000 m a.s.l. in mountains of Western Cape Province, Eastern Cape Province, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga, although much rarer in Western Cape Province. Subspecies to Malawi. Other subspecies north to Ethiopia.
Body Length: 38-43 mm
Hind Wing Length: 23-26.5 mm
Habitat: Clear, fast-flowing montane streams and rivers with a rich growth of tall grass, reeds and herbs on the banks.
Flight Period: October to May, with some overwintering adults.
Features: Medium-sized, all dark, slate blue, but when mature with heavily pruinescent white powdery face and body, and with large roundish bright blue postocular spots. Grass fringed montane streams through most high-elevation areas.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by SA damselflies and dragonflies checklist (Durban Natural Science Museum, 2000).

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1 record, from 11/8/2016

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




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