Cover photo by Alan Manson.

Find this species in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Very Small size

Length up to 25mm; Wingspan attains 46mm.

Confusion with the Dwarf Percher is only likely with Diplacodes lefebvrii (Black Percher). Mature males of the two are very similar, being an overall black colour with blackish eyes and a dark metallic blue frons. The Black Percher is the larger species with little to no size overlap between them. Additionally mature male Black Perchers have white cerci and small dark amber patches at the base of the hindwings. These are mostly absent in the Dwarf Percher. Diplacodes pumila also has a ‘large headed’ appearance

Immature males of D. lefebvrii and D. pumila are easily told apart. The upper thorax of D. lefebvrii is yellow-brown with fine black etching. The upper thorax of D. pumila is rusty red-brown and diagnostic. Diplacodes pumila has a very broad black stripe that extends down the length of the abdomen. This stripe is noticeably thinner in D. lefebvrii.

Dwarf Percher females are similar to the young males. They are identified by the diagnostic, rusty red-brown upper thorax and the broad black stripe that extends down the top of the abdomen.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Dwarf Percher inhabits shallow marshes, seeps and floodplains. It prefers sites with tall emergent grass, sedges, and reeds. In South Africa, the Dwarf Percher is most often found at fairly high altitudes in upland grasslands, from 1000 to 2100m above sea level, but is found along the coast in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

Behaviour

The Dwarf Percher is an inconspicuous species that likes to sit low down among the emergent vegetation. Males and females occur in the same areas.

Status and Conservation

The Dwarf Percher is uncommon and localised in South Africa. It is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Dwarf Percher is mostly reliant on high quality natural habitats, but is known to utilise suitable marshy habitats fringing man-made dams.

Distribution

The distribution of Diplacodes pumila is widely scattered across south-central Africa from central Angola to northern Zambia, and marginally into neighboring DRC and Tanzania. The Dwarf Percher also occurs in parts of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The South African range of the Dwarf Percher is disjunct, occurring in coastal north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as well as at various upland sites in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Dwarf Percher in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Dwarf Percher 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.

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Alan Manson is acknowledged. Other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Dwarf Percher Diplacodes pumila Dijkstra, 2006

Other common names: Dwergsittertjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Dwarf Percher Diplacodes pumila. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/06/18/dwarf-percher-diplacodes-pumila/

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

Similar Species

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii)

Cover photo by John Wilkinson.

Find this species in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Small size

Length up to 40mm; Wingspan reaches 66mm.

Male Barbet Perchers are unmistakable with their distinctive bright red, yellow, and black colouration.

Females are very similar to Diplacodes lefebvrii (Black Percher) females, but can be distinguished by having horizontal stripes along the sides at the base of the abdomen.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Barbet Percher inhabits a variety of still-water environments especially floodplains and marshes with well-vegetated pools. It also occurs at grass and sedge-lined pans, lakes, and dams. The Barbet Percher can on occasion also be found along the marshy fringes of rivers.

Behaviour

Male Barbet Perchers sit conspicuously at the tips of reeds and sedges over the water. Their flight is fast and darting and they quickly return to a perch. Females can be found in the same vicinity as the males but they are more common a short distance from the water among trees and bushes.

Status and Conservation

In southern Africa, the Barbet Percher is a common, but localised dragonfly. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Barbet Percher is adaptable and fairly resistant to habitat degradation. It occurs commonly at well-vegetated man-made habitats.

Distribution

The Barbet Percher is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, avoiding only the most arid regions. In South Africa, the Barbet Percher is mostly restricted to the warmer and wetter north and east.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Barbet Percher in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Barbet Percher in the OdonataMAP database as of December 2025

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.

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Richard Johnstone is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Barbet Percher Diplacodes luminans (Karsch, 1893)

Other common names: Baardmannetjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Barbet Percher Diplacodes luminans. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/06/17/barbet-percher-diplacodes-luminans/

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.

Cover photo by Richard Johnstone.

Find this species in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Small size

Length up to 32mm; Wingspan reaches 54mm.

In South Africa, the Black Percher is only likely to be confused with the rare Diplacodes pumila (Dwarf Percher). Mature males of the two are very similar, being an overall black colour with blackish eyes and a dark metallic blue frons. The Black Percher is the larger species with little to no size overlap between them. Additionally, mature male Black Perchers have white cerci and small dark amber patches at the base of the hindwings. These are largely absent in the Dwarf Percher.

Immature males of D. lefebvrii and D. pumila are easily told apart. The upper thorax of D. lefebvrii is yellowish with fine black etching. The upper thorax of D. pumila is rusty red-brown and diagnostic. The abdomen pattern of the two also differs. D. pumila has a broad black line that extends all the way down the top of the abdomen. In D. lefebvrii this line is noticeably thinner. Traces of the immature abdomen pattern may persist into maturity (see the photo above).

Black Percher females are identifiable by their yellow and black abdomen pattern and grey pterostigmas.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Black Percher inhabits a variety of still-water habitats, especially floodplains and marshes with well-vegetated pools. It also occurs at grass and sedge-lined pans, lakes, and dams. The Black Percher can sometimes also be found at the marshy fringes of rivers and streams. In arid areas, it can sometimes be found at seasonally flooded grassy pans.

The Black Percher occurs at a wide range of altitudes up to 1800m above sea level.

Behaviour

Male Black Perchers tend to sit conspicuously at the tips of reeds and sedges over the water. The flight is fast and darting and they quickly return to a perch. Females can be found in the same areas as the males but they are more common further from the water among trees and bushes. Their behaviour is similar to that of other Diplacodes species.

The Black Percher is on the wing throughout the year in warmer areas but is less numerous in winter. In cooler regions, the Black Percher flies mainly from November to May.

Status and Conservation

The Black Percher is a common and widespread species. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is adaptable and fairly resistant to habitat degradation. The Black Percher occurs commonly in well-vegetated man-made habitats.

Distribution

The Black Percher is widespread throughout much of Africa including parts of North Africa, from Egypt across to Morocco. Diplacodes lefebvrii also occurs in parts of Southern Europe and the Middle East.

The Black Percher occurs over most of South Africa but is less numerous in the arid Karoo and Kalahari regions. The Black Percher appears most common in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Black Percher in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Black Percher 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.

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Richard Johnstone is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Black Percher Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842)

Other common names: Swartsittertjie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Black Percher Diplacodes lefebvrii. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/06/17/black-percher-diplacodes-lefebvrii/

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.

Similar Species

Dwarf Percher (Diplacodes pumila)