Madagascar Dragonflys

black · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 08:37 AM

I've recently returned from a trip to Madagascar and was wondering if anyone in the forum could help in identifying a few of the dragonflies I saw. Various weird insects, chameleons and lemurs will appear shortly in my members gallery. Many thanks

Dragonfly1
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Dragonfly2
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Dragonfly3

Dragonfly4
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paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 09:26 AM

Welcome - nice pictures; I'm sure someone knows what the dragonflies are. The other pics also fascinating ...

Guy F · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 10:44 PM

Hi black, great shots!
I'm afraid I can't help you with species, I know very little about African dragonflies, but I my thoughts on the genuses are:
1. Female Orthetrum species (similar to European Orthetrum coerulescens)
2. Male Orthetrum species (similar to European Orthetrum trinacria)
3. Female Orthetrum species (Similar to European Orthetrum cancellatum)
4. Female Trithemis species (Similar to Trithemis arteriosa)
I'm not suggesting the dragonflies in the brackets as identities, just trying to show where I'm coming from

Guy

goosey · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 10:31 AM

They are stunning photo's and look similar to some of the chasers and darters - not that I know anything about them - luckily Guy did! What I wanted to know though is, were they larger than our Euopean dragonflies? I always tend to think that tropical insects are larger than our own.

Guy F · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 02:31 PM

From looking on this site:
Africa Dragonfly
Number 2 could be an Orthetrum julia possibly?
Guy

black · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 02:29 PM

Thanks Guy for the suggestions, I struggle enough with the British species!I've just found a site on African Dragonflies that has a sister site on Asian Dragonflies, I might post them on there as well. It has quite a reasonable gallery.

Alino · #7 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 09:58 AM

Hi black

Nice shots

The first one is Crocothemis erythraea (male)

Second seems to be Orthetrum brachiale, but a careful examination of genitalia should be made as it is closed to Orthetrum stemmale. (male) It can't be Orthetrum julia, this species do not occur in Madagascar! This species is only known from Anjouan island in Comoro archipelago, and I have discovered it on Moheli island last november.

Third is a juvenile female of Orthetrum hintzi.

Forth is a juvenile male of Trithemis lateralis formerly known as Trithemis selika, the second name is only a synonim following the rules of zoological nomenclature.

If u have other dragonflies pictures, tell me. (from Madagascar or main africa continent.

black · #8 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 11:31 AM

Thank you ever so much Alino

I really wasn't sure I'd get any ID's on these. I think I may have a couple of other dragonflies from Madagascar, Ill post them today if I have.
Thanks again

Pudding4brains · #9 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 12:04 PM

Hi black (Stu?),

I'm not seeing the images here, but searching the galleries it seems I found them (so they do seem to be present on WATW) ...

Wazzup? Anyone else not seeing them?
Arp

goosey · #10 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

I'm not seeing the images here, but searching the galleries it seems I found them (so they do seem to be present on WATW) ...

Wazzup? Anyone else not seeing them?
Arp

I can see them if I click on the red X - I don't have to hunt through the gallery for them.