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Thank you very much for that comment gwendolen. Visiting South Africa, looking for dragonflies and visiting Kruger, is the best I've done for many years.

Freda, the Red-Veined Dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa) was probably the dragonfly I saw at most locations in SA. Saw it at several places in Kruger too. My experience is that it's one of the first to appear at the water in the morning, and one of the last to leave in late afternoon. In the hot mid-day, the males stay at the water, and takes up the so-called obelisk position, pointing the abdomen (tail) towards the sun, to minimize the sun's rays hitting the body, and thereby staying cool. Many other species do the same in the sunshine, but others species may stay in the shade, during the most warm hours of the summer day.

Several other species look like the Red-Veined Dropwing, but the dark sides at the end of the abdomen (tail), meant that I could identify it securely on my second day in SA.

Compared to species in northern Europe, this species, like so many others you have in SA, are so amazing in colours etc.

Erland

South Africa is a beatiful country. I travelled 3200 km's in 16 days all by myself, having no problems at all, and only meeting friendly people everywhere. I visited an expert on dragonflies, and joined a family I met, staying with them for two days in a mountain lodge. I brought my own tent and tented in Kruger and a few other places.

I did not have a single day in SA where I did not add a new dragonfly species to my camera's memory. I have the guide books on damselflies and dragonflies, but only got the last at my arrivel to SA. Most species are easy to identify, especially with experience with these insects from other parts of the world. But some species in SA are so similar, that I may not be able to identify them from my photos.

I know that groups from USA and UK have visited, and in the future visit SA to see dragonflies. That is guided tours, but I like to do stuff on my own, and everyone without paranoia should consider to do the same

But I have studied where other people have photographed dragonflies in SA, and own Warwick Tarboton, an expert on dragonflies in SA, a big thanks for suggesting places to go. I used the internet heavily before going, and the forum here helped me understand how to get the most out of Kruger. I saw so many animals in the park, that I never dreamt of. The four days in Kruger was a big part of my trip. I may have visited other places like an Asian country, and see more dragonflies, but I would not have seen about 300 elephants in four days.

Pictures of Kruger mamals, people in SA, and some insects, can be seen on my profile at a Danish photo-sharing site.
http://www.fotokritik.dk/oversigt.html?bruger=1684
The top pictures are from my visit to SA. Grashoppers in SA are amazing, and I photographed them as well.

Just to be able to watch elephants bath in Klopperfontein water hole, north of Punda Maria, alone was worth the long flight to SA.

As a last comment, I can only dream of being able to make study of the dragonflies in Kruger. This is a perfect habitate with lots of rivers and water holes, and species from more tropical Africa, may be discovered here in the future.

Erland

Found this (I am assuming,) insect in the dam this afternoon. Was in the water and it's 6,5cm in length. Any ideas what it may be?

I think it is a dragonfly nymph....has underslung jaws that shoot out to catch prey....

But I'm only guessing here....

Correct!

They love tadpoles!

Does anyone know if Dragon and Damselflies can be I'Ded by the nymphs alone??!

Thanks CC, Imberbe and Rusty Justy

By being in the dam it's in..... it's going to grow to be one big dragonfly

Something to do with the placement of the eyes if I remember correctly, should hold true for the nymph stage I think. Will have a look later if no one else knows off hand

Hi Bahamut Not between the families, But between the species themselves.....Apologies, If that is what you meant

I know Placement of the eyes, the way the wings are held etc Is used post nymph stage, and eyes during nymph stage

Hope someone can clarify??!

Not a nymph but a NAIAD

NAIAD?

Yip, That is what the nymphs of damselflies and Dragong flies are called

Learn't something new yet again!

Thanks Pilane

Actually, more correctly ... they are called a GOGGA.

Always wondered what a Gogga was....