Thoracic temperatures in four libellulid dragonflies (Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

– The thoracic temperatures in Orthetrum cf. caffrum (Burnt.), Trithemis arteriosa (Burnt.), T. dorsalis (Ramb.) and Palpopleura lucia (Dru.) were measured in the field. All spp. belong to the percher type. Their thoracic temperatures were between 0.7 and I0.5°C above ambient temperature. The pale blue O. cf. caffrum had a higher body temperature than the dark blue T. dorsalis. The thorax temperature was positively correlated to abdomen length but not forewing length between species with a similar trend within Trithemis dorsalis.