The photo above (by Katharina Reddig) can be viewed in OdonataMAP here.
Find this species in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.
Family Libellulidae
Orthetrum caffrum – TWO-STRIPED SKIMMER
Identification
Medium sized
Length up to 45mm; Wingspan attains 68mm.
Both sexes are among the more readily identified Orthetrum species, due to the two diagonal stripes on the sides of the thorax.
In fully pruinose males the diagnostic white stripes may become partially or completely obscured. These males are best identified by the shape of the secondary genitalia.
Most likely to be confused with the Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), but that species has just one pale, diagonal stripe on the thorax sides.
Click here for more details on identification.
Near Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Near Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Habitat
Most common in higher altitude or mountainous areas. The preferred habitats are open margins of rivers, pans, water-holes and dams. Usually frequents areas with low grassy or bushy growth and also bare exposed areas and rocks next to the water.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
Often perches on the ground or on rocks, but also sits on twigs and other similar perches in or near the water. Hunts from a perch and quickly resettles again. Both sexes are found in the same vicinity.
Status and Conservation
Common and widespread in South Africa. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Distribution
Orthetrum caffrum is widespread throughout most of Southern, Central and East Africa. In South Africa it is only absent from the hot, humid areas of the lowveld and NE KwaZulu-Natal.
Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Two-striped Skimmer in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.
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.
