Ceratogomphus pictus, the common thorntail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo (one isolated record from Katanga[2]). Its natural habitats are the edges of large pools and slow-flowing streams.[1]
| Ceratogomphus pictus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Gomphidae |
| Genus: | Ceratogomphus |
| Species: | C. pictus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ceratogomphus pictus Hagen in Selys, 1854
| |
This dragonfly is 46–53 mm long, with a wingspan of 60–69 mm.[3] The face is yellow with black bands and the eyes are greyish blue. The synthorax has broad grey and greenish-yellow stripes bordered by thin black lines. Segments 1-7 of the abdomen have broken black and yellow rings, and segment 8 has large yellow foliations with black edges. Segment 10 has a sharp, forward-pointing spine that extends over the top of segment 9.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b Clausnitzer, V.; Suhling, F. (2010). "Ceratogomphus pictus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T63183A12611098. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T63183A12611098.en.
- ^ Dijkstra, K.-D.B.; Clausnitzer, V. (2014). The dragonflies and damselflies of eastern Africa. Tervuren: Royal Museum for Central Africa. ISBN 978-94-916-1506-1.
- ^ Tarboton, Warwick & Michèle (2002). A fieldguide to the dragonflies of South Africa. South Africa: Warwick & Michèle Tarboton. ISBN 0620298871.
- ^ Samways, Michael J. (2008). Dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa (1st ed.). Sofia: Pensoft. ISBN 9789546423306.