Portia Widow Palpopleura portia

Named after a clever Shakespearean character, this widow dragonfly lives up to its namesake's cunning. What's truly remarkable is its extraordinary range: found across nearly all of sub-Saharan Africa, from rainforest rivers to dry savanna waterholes to temporary desert marshes. This extreme habitat flexibility makes it one of the continent's most resilient dragonflies. The name 'widow' likely refers to its dark coloration. Wherever there's water, even briefly, this adaptable hunter will be there.