Jaunty Dropwing

Afrikaans name: Vrolike Valvlerkie

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Trithemis stictica

The Jaunty Dropwing is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa they can be found from the Western Cape, along the coast to KwaZulu-Natal where they spread inland. They are also present in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West.

They are found in tropical and sub-tropical forests and shrublands. It is most often found near bodies of water, with streams being a particular favourite.

The Jaunty Dropwing has a very slender abdomen. The male has a blue thorax and a black abdomen that has yellow dashes along the length of it. Females are black and yellow and their abdomens are thicker than those of the males.

They are very vigilant while perched and will dart out to defend their territory.

References and further reading

Sasol First Field Guide to Dragonflies of Southern Africa - Author: Warren and Vienessa Goodwin - Published: 0 - Page: 50

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 164

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 40

A Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa - Author: Warwick and Michele Tarboton - Published: 2015 - Page: 192

For more info: Dragonflies and Damselflies

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