Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia

Title: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia
Authors: Frank Suhling; Andreas Martens
Publisher: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers
Windhoek, Namibia 2007
ISBN 9789991607641 / ISBN 978-99916-0-764-1
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 280 pages, 174 photographs, 27 plates with line drawings and 125 distribution maps.

About: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia

Dragonflies are fascinating insects, true jewels of the watershed. Their diversity in Namibia is surprisingly high for such an arid country. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia describes 127 species and their distribution range, habitat, ecology and behaviour, while the identification keys cover not only the Namibian species, but also those of neighbouring Botswana and southern Angola, 149 species in all. The general overview of dragonfly biology and the species descriptions are extensively illustrated with 174 photographs, 27 plates with line drawings and 125 distribution maps. Frank Suhling is an associate professor of ecology at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. His main research interest is dragonfly larvae and communities. Andreas Martens is a professor of biology at Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany. His main research interest is the reproductive behaviour of dragonflies. Both authors have studied dragonflies for well over 20 years. Between 2000 and 2007 their research on Namibian Odonata formed part of the BIOTA AFRICA programme.

Content: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia

Introduction
What is a dragonfly?
Biology and ecology of dragonflies
Life cycle and development
Reproductive behaviour
Foraging and predation
Migration and dispersal
Biogeography of Namibian Odonata
Dragonfly habitats in Namibia and their assemblages
Temporary waters
Perennial wetlands in arid environments
Wetlands associated with large perennial rivers
Surveying dragonflies
Recording adult dragonflies
Collecting dragonfly exuviae and larvae
Key to the families of Odonata
Calopterygidae [Demoiselles]
Phaon Selys, 1853 [Demoiselles]
Chlorocyphidae [Jewels]
Platycypha Fraser, 1949 [Broad-legged Jewels]
Lestidae, Genus Lestes Leach, 1815 [Spreadwings]
Coenagrionoidea [Narrow-winged Damselflies]
Mesocnemis Karsch, 1891 [Riverjacks]
Elattoneura Cowley, 1935 [Threadtails]
Ceriagrion Selys, 1876 [Oranges]
Agriocnemis Selys, 1869 [Whisps]
Pseudagrion Selys, 1876 [Sprites]
Pseudagrion Group A
Pseudagrion Group B
Green-eyed
Aciagrion [Slims]
Ischnura Charpaition, 1840 [Bluetails]
Africallagma, Azuragrion and Pinheyagrion May, 2002 [Bluets]
Gomphidae [Clubtails, Gomphids]
Ictinogomphus Crowley, 1934 [Tigertails]
Gomphidia Selys, 1854 [Fingertails]
Lestinogomphus Martin, 1911 [Fairytails]
Ceratogomphus Selys, 1854 [Thorntails]
Phyllogomphus Selys, 1854 [Leaftails]
Neurogomphus Karsch, 1890 and
Mastigogomphus Cammaerts, 2004 [Siphontails]
Notogomphus Hagen, 1857 [Longlegs]
Crenigomphus Selys, 1897 and
Paragomphus Cowley, 1934 [Hooktails]
Aeshnidae [Hawkers and Emperors, Aeshnids]
Gynacantha Rambur, 1842 [Dusk-hawkers]
Aeshna Fabricius, 1775 [Hawkers]
Anax Leach, 1845 [Emperors]
Macromiidae [Cruisers]
Libellulidae [Libellulids]
Chalcostephia Kirby, 1889 [Inspectors]
Brachythemis Brauer, 1868 and
Parazyxomma Pinhey, 1961 [Groundlings]
Hemistigma Kirby, 1889 [Pied-spots]
Palpopleura Rambur, 1842 [Widows]
Rhyothemis Hagen, 1867 [Flutterers]
Tramea Hagen, 1861 [Gliders]
Urothemis Brauer, 1868 [Baskers]
Aethriamanta Kirby, 1889 [Pygmy Baskers]
Aethiothemis Martin, 1908 [Gorgeous Skimmers]
Nesciothemis Longfield, 1955 [Dancing Skimmers]
Orthetrum Newman, 1833 [Skimmers]
Acisoma Ris, 1908 [Pintails]
Bradinopyga Kirby, 1893 [Rock-dwellers]
Pantala Hagen, 1861 [Wanderers]
Tholymis Hagen, 1867 [Twisters]
Diplacodes Kirby, 1889 [Perchers]
Sympetrum Newman, 1833 [Darters]
Trithemis Brauer, 1868 [Dropwings]
Crocothemis Brauer, 1868 [Scarlets]
Olpogastra Karsch, 1895 [Bottletails]
Zygonoides Fraser, 1957 [Spectaculars]
Zygonyx Hagen, 1867 [Cascader]
Short key to dragonfly larvae
Zygoptera larvae
Calopterygidae larvae
Chlorocyphidae larvae
Lestidae larvae
Coenagrionoidea larvae
Anisoptera larvae
Gomphidae larvae
Aeshnidae larvae
Macromiidae larvae
Libellulidae larvae
Checklist of the dragonflies of Namibia and neighbouring countries
Useful literature and addresses
Index to described species
BIOTA AFRICA Sustainable use of biodiversity in southern Africa