Common tigertail

Introduction: Common Tigertails (Ictinogomphus ferox) are one of the largest dragonflies in the country. Along with their distinctive colouration they can be identified from other species with little confusion. A feature of the adult males is their habit of perching on solitary twigs and stems of reeds on river banks, which double up as launch pads for territorial sorties.

Distribution: Central and southern regions as well as Epupa Falls and Kunene River, Rundu and the Kavango River extending to the Kwando River and the Chobe/Zambezi River systems.

Colouration: Striped black and yellow body, blue eyes.

Breeding: Larvae live in lentic sections of large rivers.

Flight season: Throughout the year but around Windhoek from November to April.

Max size: Between 75 and 90mm.

Conservation: Not threatened.