24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - ELEGANT DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis werneri)

Trithemis werneri is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and rivers.

The Elegant Dropwing (Trithemis werneri) is a species of dragonfly native to sub-Saharan Africa, known for the male's distinct orange/red coloring and its habit of perching away from the water on tree branches. 

Named after Dr. Franz Werner, an Austrian zoologist who collected the first specimens in Uganda in 1905. 

Key Facts

Scientific Name: Trithemis werneri.

Appearance: Mature males have a red abdomen and brownish thorax with orange/mustard-yellow coloring and large amber patches on the hind wings. Females are less vibrant with a yellow to yellowish-brown abdomen and face.

Size: They are a small to medium-sized dragonfly, up to 40mm long with a wingspan up to 66mm.

Habitat: They inhabit large tropical and subtropical rivers and streams in savanna regions, often in well-wooded areas.

Behavior: This species typically perches on trees and large bushes, often far from the water. They "drop" their wings when resting, a trait of the Trithemis genus.

Distribution: Found in numerous African countries, including Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Conservation Status: Globally listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The South African population is Near Threatened due to its need for undisturbed habitats.