''Platycypha fitzsimonsi'', the boulder jewel or Fitzsimon's jewel is a species of

damselfly Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along ...

in the family

Chlorocyphidae Chlorocyphidae is a family of damselflies, commonly known as jewels. These are colorful species native to the Old World tropics, where they occur along forest streams. They are most diverse in Southeast Asia. Systematics This family is monophyle ...

. It is endemic to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

where its natural

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s include wooded and forested streams and

river A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...

s. This is a fairly small species; 29–34 mm long with a wingspan of 46–54 mm. The mature male has an orange-red and black striped thorax and a distinctive red, black and blue abdomen. Females and immature males are dark brown and khaki.

Gallery

P_fitzsimonsi_AManson_007950-2.jpg, Male P fitzsimonsi AManson 2014 03 08 7164.jpg, Males P fitzsimonsi AManson 007510-1.jpg, Immature male P fitzsimonsi AManson 007510-2.jpg, Immature male

References

External links

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'' Platycypha fitzsimonsi''
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African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online
Chlorocyphidae Odonata of Africa Insects of South Africa Insects described in 1950 {{Calopterygoidea-stub