In this series, we take a look at pests that you might spot and then find yourself in a tizz- scavenging for information on the web trying to discover what they are. This time we will be looking at several jaw-dropping pests that look like something out of a fantasy movie.
Kirby’s dropwing is also known as the scarlet rock glider, or the orange-winged dropwing. You can be forgiven for thinking that it’s something from the movie Avatar with it’s striking colour. This scarlet dragonfly’s abdomen measures between 21 to 24 mm long with hind wings that stretch between 26 to 30 mm.
They can be found around subtropical or tropical streams and rivers all over Africa. They like breeding in ponds and lakes, often spotted perched on rocks and boulders in riverbeds.