Cover photo by Desire Darling.
Find the Spined Fairytail in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.
Family Gomphidae
Identification
Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo
Photo by Desire Darling
Medium sized, but one of the smallest members of its family.
Length up to 47mm; Wingspan attains 57mm.
The Spined Fairytail has the typical colouration of many gomphid species. It is best recognised by its small size, and very distinctive downward pointing abdomen.
The Spined Fairytail most resembles Silke’s Fairytail (Lestinogomphus silkeae). The two are very similar in terms of colouration and the only distinct difference is the shape of the male appendages. The Spined Fairytail is also similar in size and colouration to Microgomphus nyassicus (Eastern Scissortail), but Lestinogomphus angustus has a far more slender build and the two have very different clasper structures.
Click here for more details on identification of the Spined Fairytail.
Habitat
The Spined Fairytail inhabits the well-wooded banks of perennial streams and rivers in both savanna and forested regions. It is usually found in areas with shade or dappled light.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
The Spined Fairytail is unobtrusive and spends much time sitting on a shady perch over the water. It is usually found under trees and bushes that overhang the stream or river. The Spined Fairytail typically perches horizontally with the last segment of the abdomen pointing downwards.
The Spined Fairytail is on the wing from October to May.
Status and Conservation
The Spined Fairytail is uncommon in South Africa. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Kosi Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Distribution
Lestinogomphus angustus is found mainly in southern and East Africa. It occurs as far north as Kenya and down to north-eastern South Africa.
Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Spined Fairytail in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.
Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Spined Fairytail in the OdonataMAP database as of December 2024.
Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Spined Fairytail in the OdonataMAP database as of December 2024.
The next map below is an imputed map, produced by an interpolation algorithm, which attempts to generate a full distribution map from the partial information in the map above. This map will be improved by the submission of records to the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum.
Ultimately, we will produce a series of maps for all the odonata species in the region. The current algorithm is a new algorithm. The objective is mainly to produce “smoothed” maps that could go into a field guide for odonata. This basic version of the algorithm (as mapped above) does not make use of “explanatory variables” (e.g. altitude, terrain roughness, presence of freshwater — we will be producing maps that take these variables into account soon). Currently, it only makes use of the OdonataMAP records for the species being mapped, as well as all the other records of all other species. The basic maps are “optimistic” and will generally show ranges to be larger than what they probably are.
These maps use the data in the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum, and also the database assembled by the previous JRS funded project, which was led by Professor Michael Samways and Dr KD Dijkstra.
Phenology
Further Resources
The use of photographs by Desire Darling is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.
Spined Fairytail Lestinogomphus angustus Martin, 1911
Other Common Names: Common Fairytail (Alt. English); Towerfee (Afrikaans).
Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Spined Fairytail Lestinogomphus angustus. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/05/11/spined-fairytail-lestinogomphus-angustus/
References: Tarboton, M; Tarboton, W. (2019). A Guide to the Dragonflies & Damselflies of South Africa. Struik Nature.
Samways, MJ. (2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Pensoft
Samways, MJ. (2016). Manual of Freshwater Assessment for South Africa: Dragonfly Biotic Index. Suricata 2. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria
Martens, A; Suhling, F. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan.
