Allocnemis contraria (Schmidt, 1951)
Flame-backed Yellowwing

Synonyms:

  • scientific: Chlorocnemis contraria
  • vernacular: Red-backed Yellowwing

Type locality: Ekona-Bavinga, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. nigripes by (a) head with pair of large orange spots posterior to antennae, rather than being all black; (b) almost entire dorsum of S3-4 and often S5 too brightly coloured, rather than largely or entirely black. However, differs by (1) dorsum of middle and hind lobe of prothorax partly to entirely black, rather than orange; (2) dorsum of S3-6 and often S7 too orange to red with maturity, rather than S3-4 and sometimes S5 blue. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams, but possibly also headwaters, shaded by forest. Often with a gravelly bottom and probably coarse detritus. From 0 to 1600 m above sea level, but mostly below 1100, although possibly up to 2600.

Distribution

confirmed: Cameroon; Gabon


© Jens Kipping

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.


References

  • Schmidt, E. (1951). Über neue und weniger bekannte afrikanische Platycnemididen (Odon.). Mitteilungen Muenchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 41, 217-240. [PDF file]
  • D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].