Cover photo by John Wilkinson).

Find the Denim Dropwing in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Medium-sized

Length up to 44mm; Wingspan reaches 71mm.

Male Denim Dropwings are recognisable by the uniformly pale blue body colouration and contrasting dark head and eyes. The black terminal segments on the abdomen are also a useful aid in identification.

Males could be confused with several other all-blue dragonflies, such as Skimmers (Orthetrum spp.) and the other blue dropwings (Trithemis spp.).

The Denim Dropwing is most similar to the Navy Dropwing (Trithemis furva), Highland Dropwing (Trithemis dorsalis), Silhouette Dropwing (Trithemis hecate) and Halfshade Dropwing (Trithemis aconita). The Denim dropwing can be told apart by its slightly larger size, paler blue colouration, contrasting black eyes, and black terminal tail segments.

Click here for more details on identification of the Denim Dropwing.

Habitat

The Denim Dropwing inhabits shallow, rocky, and fast-flowing rivers, mostly in hot savanna regions. It requires rocks in or near the mid-stream for perching on. Denim Dropwing males are seldom found away from such sites. Females are generally found some distance from water in the surrounding woodland.

Behaviour

Males perch close to the water on rocks, mostly where there is fast-flowing and turbulent water. The Denim Dropwing will occasionally also sit on plant stems over the water. They are alert and can be difficult to approach. Females are seldom encountered.

Status and Conservation

The Denim Dropwing is localised and generally scarce, but is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due to its habitat choice Trithemis donaldsoni does not make use of man-made habitats.

Distribution

The Denim Dropwing is widely distributed in Southern and East Africa, ranging from South
Africa up to Kenya and Uganda. Also occurs in northern and eastern Botswana and across to northern Namibia and Angola.

In South Africa, the Denim Dropwing is mostly found in the north and east where it is recorded from the Limpopo, North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. It is also present along the length of the Orange River where it may have previously been overlooked. The Denim Dropwing has also been recorded at a few sites in the Western and Eastern Cape where it may also have been overlooked in the past.

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

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Denim Dropwing 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. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Denim Dropwing Trithenis donaldsoni (Calvert, 1899)

Other common names: Denimvalvlerkie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Denim Dropwing Trithenis donaldsoni. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/05/08/denim-dropwing-trithemis-donaldsoni/

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

The photo above (by Alan Manson) can be viewed in OdonataMAP here.

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

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Small to medium size

Length up to 40mm; Wingspan attains 65mm.

The Highland Dropwing is most likely to be confused with the very similar Navy Dropwing (Trithemis furva). Males of the two are best identified in the hand by examining the shape of the secondary genitalia. The males can also (mostly) be told apart by checking the last Ax vein in the front wings. In Trithemis furva the last Ax vein extends as far as the subcostal vein and does not reach the radial vein. Trithemis dorsalis shows Ax veins that cross the subcostal vein to meet up with the radial vein.

In addition, the two species can be tentatively identified based on their preferred habitat choice. Although they co-occur at many sites, the Highland Dropwing is far more numerous than the navy dropwing at higher altitudes.

The Denim Dropwing (Trithemis donaldsoni) is also similar but is larger and distinctly paler in colour.

The Female Highland Dropwing is readily identified by the narrow, wavy black stripes on the sides of the thorax.

Click here for more details on identification of the Highland Dropwing.

Habitat

The Highland Dropwing inhabits the fringes of rivers, streams and dams. It prefers slow moving sections of rivers and is far less regular along fast flowing stretches. Highland Dropwings are common along the vegetated fringes of dams that are lined with reeds, grasses, and sedges.

Behaviour

The Highland Dropwing is a conspicuous species that perches openly on emergent or fringing vegetation. At rest, it sits with its wings drooped downwards in typical ‘dropwing’ fashion. The Highland Dropwing is most common above 700m above sea level, but is regular at lower altitudes in the Western Cape.

The Highland Dropwing is on the wing from October to May.

Status and Conservation

In South Africa, the Highland Dropwing is common, particularly in higher-altitude areas. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Highland Dropwing readily makes use of man-made and degraded habitats.

Distribution

The Highland Dropwing is locally distributed across the highland regions of eastern and southern Africa. It is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly also Burundi and Malawi.

In South Africa Trithemis dorsalis is predominantly a species of the Drakensberg and Highveld, but is widespread in mid to high altitude regions, from the south-western Cape to northern Limpopo.

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

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Highland Dropwing 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 and Rowan Poortier is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Highland Dropwing Trithemis dorsalis (Rambur, 1842)

Other common names: Dorsal Dropwing (Alt. English); Hooglandvalvlerkie (Afrikaans

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Highland Dropwing Trithemis dorsalis. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/05/08/highland-dropwing-trithemis-dorsalis/

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

Cover photo by Neels Jackson.

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

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Small size

Length attains 38mm; Wingspan reaches 64mm.

Male Violet Dropwings are unmistakable, being brilliant violet-red with red veins in the wings. Violet Dropwing males could perhaps be confused with the male Red-veined Dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa). Red-veined Dropwings often show a violet hue on the thorax, but are distinctly red in overall colouration. The two can be further separated by the shape, colouration, and patterning of the abdomen.

Female Violet Dropwings are yellow and brown. They are distinguishable from other dropwings by the characteristic black markings on the last two abdominal segments.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Violet Dropwing inhabits a range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, marshes, ponds, dams, and rivers. It prefers still or slow-moving waters and is mostly found in the warmer savanna regions.

Behaviour

Male Violet Dropwings are very conspicuous as they perch at prominent, exposed sites over the water. They often also sit on rocks closer to the ground. Like others in the genus, they received the common name of ‘dropwings’ because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Females occupy the same areas as the males, but can also be found some distance from the water.

Status and Conservation

The Violet Dropwing is a common and widespread species. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Violet Dropwing is a hardy and adaptable species. It readily makes use of man-made and somewhat degraded habitats.

Distribution

Trithemis annulata is found virtually throughout Africa and also occurs in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Europe. The Violet Dropwing is widespread in South Africa. It is most common in the north and east, but scattered records exist over most of the country.

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

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Violet Dropwing 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 Neels Jackson is acknowledged. Other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Violet Dropwing Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807)

Other common names: Purpervalvlerkie (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Violet Dropwing Trithemis annulata. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/05/07/violet-dropwing-trithemis-annulata/

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