View the above photo record (by Bertie Brink) in OdonataMAP here.
Identification
Medium Sized
Length attains 49mm; Wingspan up to 68mm.
Very similar to Crenigomphus hartmanni (Clubbed Talontail).
The main difference is that Crenigomphus cornutus lacks the small foliations on abdomen segments 8 and 9. Additionally, in Crenigomphus cornutus segments 9 and ten are of similar length, whereas in Crenigomphus hartmanni segment 10 is roughly twice as long as segment 9.
Kabompo River, Zambia
Photo by Bertie Brink
Habitat
Inhabits large, fast-flowing rivers in savanna. Favours sites with abundant grass and low bushes.
Behaviour
Most often seen foraging in rank grass near rivers. Crenigomphus cornutus hunts from a perch, usually a tall grass or reed stem, but sometimes also from bushes.
Status and Conservation
Listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Data deficient in South Africa.
Distribution
Erratically distributed in South-Central Africa. Recorded from Southern DRC, Northern Zambia and Angola. Also recorded from the Zambezi region of Southern Zambia, Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, far NE Botswana and NW Zimbabwe.
In South Africa Crenigomphus cornutus has only been recorded once, from Malelane in the Kruger National Park.
There are no maps for this species at present.
