Blue Cascader

Not considered threatened.

May reach 54 mm long, hindwing 42 mm. Wings very smoky in old individuals. Thorax dark brown very slightly metallic, with yellowish to light brown markings. Pterostigmas dark yellowish brown, 3.7 mm long. Abdomen dark brown with yellowish brown side markings. S7 with fine dorsal yellow line in first half. S8 also with fine yellow line but shorter and wider, almost spot-like. Young individuals in WCP have an amber leading edge to the forewing between nodus and pterostigma, and also a small amber patch at base of all wings. *** All text provided by Michael Samways, from Samways (2008).

Fairly large, medium build, blackish brown with thin, pale blue pruinescence that is usually patchy and scuffed. Cruises up and down, low over rapids and around waterfalls (Samways, 2008)

Rocky rivers with water falls, riffles and glides, usually bordered by bushes and trees. Also hawks among bushes and trees away from water (Samways, 2008).

Females oviposit exophytically.

Zygonyx natalensis, the blue cascader or powdered cascader is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of sub-saharan Africa.

Male in flight