Glistening Demoiselle damselfly

Afrikaans name: Glinsterjuffertjie

Photo © Steven Herbert

Phaon iridipennis

At 7.5 cm in length this is the largest damselfly found in South Africa. Males are a bit bigger than females.

The Glistening Demoiselle is found from the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Beyond South Africa's borders it is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa as well as Madagascar.

The Glistening Demoiselle is normally found along streams or rivers in well-vegetated areas. They tend to perch low down or on the ground where they blend in well with the sand. When disturbed they fly up and tend to land in the same spot or a nearby one.

It is most common during summer and autumn but may be found all year round in some areas. After landing they tend to flick their wings open every minute or so.

References and further reading

Sasol First Field Guide to Dragonflies of Southern Africa - Author: Warren and Vienessa Goodwin - Published: 0 - Page: 23

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 327

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 19

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 30

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 152

Pocket Guide - Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker & Charles Griffiths - Published: 2015 - Page: 16

A Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa - Author: Warwick and Michele Tarboton - Published: 2015 - Page: 24

For more info: Dragonflies and Damselflies

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