Pinheyschna subpupillata

Pinheyschna subpupillata
male
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Aeshnidae
Genus:	Pinheyschna
Species:	P. subpupillata
Binomial name
Pinheyschna subpupillata (McLachlan, 1896)
Synonyms
Aeshna subpupillata

Pinheyschna subpupillata, the stream hawker, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae.

Distribution

This hawker is endemic to southern Africa; it is common in much of southern and eastern South Africa, and is also found in parts of Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Its natural habitats include fast-flowing streams and rivers in montane and upland settings. Rivers and streams with densely vegetated banks (both grassy and bushy) are preferred.

Description

A large dragonfly (length 61–64 mm; wingspan 87–91 mm). The eyes are green and the face deep yellow to greenish yellow; the upper frons has a central black spot within a yellow ring. The thorax is brown with green stripes, and the abdomen green with brown markings. The wings are slightly smoky with brown and yellow veins and reddish-brown to yellow-brown pterostigmata.

Similar species

Pinheyschna subpupillata is similar to Zosteraeschna minuscula and Zosteraeschna usambarica, but the latter species have browner abdomens, and long green dorsal stripes on the thorax. The black marking on the upper frons of Zosteraeschna minuscula is shaped like an anchor, and that of Zosteraeschna usambarica like a pentagon, rather than the rounded spot of the stream hawker. Pinheyschna subpupillata males also differ in having secondary gentilia that project conspicuously from the second segment of the abdomen (S2), and lack the blue saddle (also S2) of Zosteraeschna males.

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  Male in flight
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  Male perched
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  Male
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  Male face
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  Female
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  Female ovipositing
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  Female ovipositing
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  Female ovipositing