Wildlife Query
Posted on August 4th, 2009 by Matt Smith
A Gambian dropwing dragonfly? Image by {link:http://www.flickr.com/photos/billsboy/3128016760/in/set-72157594414970392/}Nigel Kendall{/link}
One of our readers has been in touch to see if anyone out there can identify this fine species of dragonfly – photographed last December in The Gambia. The photographer thinks it might be a species of dropwing (possibly Orthetrum icteromelas) but isn’t sure. Either way it’s a fabulous picture and if anyone has any info then please get in touch at the usual address!
Definitely looks like it’s in the Orthetrum genus… but I wonder if it’s a brachiale?
See e.g. the photo on the right.
It certainly could be – the colouring is different but the body parts and general definition are correct. Where are the experts when you need them!
Im no dragonfly expert but I think Chris is correct with the Orthetrum genus. The structure of the wings look very similar.