Insects/Arthropods of South Africa
- Page 2 - A Web Page by
Roy Beckemeyer
Last Updated 11 March 2005
The
sign at the right says no swimming because of hippos and crocodiles. It
was located on the St Lucia estuary, but applies to lots of water bodies in
South Africa.
Left: Here's one of the hippos.
Left below: Here's a crocodile.
After seeing the sign and the animals, I acquired a great deal of admiration
for the enthusiasm of South African odonatologists. But I certainly was
much more shy than usual about wading out after dragonflies. I therefore
settled for photos of some species, even though I might have really wanted a
specimen. Case in point: Odonata: Gomphidae: Ictinogomphus ferox,
the Tigertail. What a beast! Unfortunately, every time I saw one, he
was perched further out in water than I dared to wade, or in one of the many
(nearly all) thorny bushes or trees. I did get one shot at netting a
Tigertail, but botched it. Oh well...
Left: an extreme example of thorny vegetation.
Right: The beautiful Ictinogomphus ferox - it's easy to see why he's
called Tigertail!
Left: The quite pretty Libellulidae: Philonomon luminans - The
Barbet (named for its resemblance to the Crested Barbet).
Right: The equally pretty Keyhole Glider, Libbellulidae: Tramea basilare.
Left:
A specimen of a male damselfly: Platycnemididae: Allocnemis leucosticta.
Right: A female damselfly of the family Chlorocyphidae: a Platycypha ,
probably fitzsimmonsi, but possibly caligata.
Left:
A brilliant red dragonfly: Libellulidae: Crocothemis erythraea, The Broad
Scarlet.
Right: The Phantom Flutterer: Libellulidae: Rhyothemis semihyalina.
Left: Libellulidae: Orthetrum chrysostigma, the Epaulet Skimmer.
Right: A Female: Gomphidae: Paragomphus genei, the Green Hooktail.
Left: Libellulidae: Trithemis kirbyi, Kirby's Dropwing.
Right: The male of the Green Hooktail, Gomphidae: Paragomphus genei.
Right: Specimen of a female Pied Spot, Libellulidae: Hemistigma
albipunctum.
The
sign at the right says no swimming because of hippos and crocodiles. It
was located on the St Lucia estuary, but applies to lots of water bodies in
South Africa. 
Left:
A specimen of a male damselfly: Platycnemididae: Allocnemis leucosticta. 
Left:
A brilliant red dragonfly: Libellulidae: Crocothemis erythraea, The Broad
Scarlet.
