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 Edit this 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]

Female common thorntail

References

edit
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Tarboton, Warwick & Michèle (2002). A fieldguide to the dragonflies of South Africa. South Africa: Warwick & Michèle Tarboton. ISBN 0620298871.
  4. ^ Samways, Michael J. (2008). Dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa (1st ed.). Sofia: Pensoft. ISBN 9789546423306.