Cover photo by N. Hart.
Family Coenagrionidae
Identification
Makungwa River, Rwanda
Photo by Desire Darling
Very small size
Length up to 30mm; Wingspan attains 38mm.
The overall colouration of the Fork-tailed Bluet, as with most other bluets, is bright blue and black. It is most similar to the Sailing Bluet (Azuragrion nigridorsum). The Fork-tailed Bluet can be readily differentiated from the sailing Bluet by its highly distinctive claspers, teardrop-shaped postocular spots and the blue abdomen base with a black dumbell-shaped marking above.
Click here for more details on identification.
Habitat
The Fork-tailed Bluet frequents the grassy fringes of pools and ponds. It is most often found in mountainous, forested areas.
Behaviour
The Fork-tailed Bluet typically perches low down amongst grass or reed stems in damp areas.
Status and Conservation
The current status of Proischnura subfurcata in South Africa is uncertain. It is only known from a few dubious old records (Pre. 1951), from KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Overall it is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Distribution
There is currently no map available for this species. More data is required.
The Fork-tailed Bluet is mainly an East African species that ranges from Ethiopia in the North down to Zimbabwe and Neighbouring Mozambique in the South. Its presence in South Africa requires confirmation.
Further Resources
The use of photographs by Desire Darling and N. Hart is acknowledged.
Fork-tailed Bluet Proischnura subfurcata (Selys, 1876)
Other Common names: Mikstertbloutjie (Afrikaans).
Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Fork-tailed Bluet Proischnura subfurcata. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/08/24/fork-tailed-bluet-proischnura-subfurcata/
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
