Gynacantha is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. The females have two prominent spines under the last abdominal segment. This gives the genus name (from Greek female and thorn) and the common name two-spined darners; they are also known as duskhawkers.

Etymology

The genus name Gynacantha is derived from Greek γυνή (gynē, “woman”) and ἄκανθα (akantha, “thorn”). The name refers to the spines at the end of the female abdomen.

Species

The genus Gynacantha includes the following species:

1. Gynacantha adela

2. Gynacantha africana - Giant Duskhawker

3. Gynacantha albistyla

4. Gynacantha alcathoe

5. Gynacantha apiaensis

6. Gynacantha apicalis

7. Gynacantha arnaudi

8. Gynacantha arsinoe

9. Gynacantha arthuri

10. Gynacantha auricularis

11. Gynacantha bainbriggei

12. Gynacantha bartai

13. Gynacantha basiguttata

14. Gynacantha bayadera

15. Gynacantha bifida

16. Gynacantha biharica

17. Gynacantha bispina

18. Gynacantha bullata - Black-kneed Duskhawker

19. Gynacantha burmana

20. Gynacantha calliope

21. Gynacantha calypso

22. Gynacantha cattienensis

23. Gynacantha caudata

24. Gynacantha chaplini

25. Gynacantha chelifera

26. Gynacantha comorensis

27. Gynacantha constricta

28. Gynacantha convergens

29. Gynacantha corbeti

30. Gynacantha croceipennis

31. Gynacantha cylindrata - Greater girdled Duskhawker

32. Gynacantha demeter

33. Gynacantha dobsoni – lesser duskhawker

34. Gynacantha dohrni

35. Gynacantha dravida

36. Gynacantha ereagris

37. Gynacantha francesca

38. Gynacantha furcata

39. Gynacantha gracilis

40. Gynacantha helenga

41. Gynacantha hova

42. Gynacantha hyalina

43. Gynacantha immaculifrons - Pale Duskhawker

44. Gynacantha incisura

45. Gynacantha interioris

46. Gynacantha japonica

47. Gynacantha jessei

48. Gynacantha khasiaca

49. Gynacantha kirbyi – slender duskhawker

50. Gynacantha klagesi

51. Gynacantha laticeps

52. Gynacantha limbalis

53. Gynacantha litoralis

54. Gynacantha maclachlani

55. Gynacantha malgassica

56. Gynacantha manderica – little duskhawker

57. Gynacantha membranalis

58. Gynacantha mexicana – bar-sided darner

59. Gynacantha mocsaryi – paddle-tipped duskhawker

60. Gynacantha musa

61. Gynacantha nausicaa

62. Gynacantha nervosa – twilight darner

63. Gynacantha nigeriensis – yellow-legged duskhawker

64. Gynacantha nourlangie – cave duskhawker

65. Gynacantha odoneli

66. Gynacantha pasiphae

67. Gynacantha penelope

68. Gynacantha phaeomeria

69. Gynacantha radama

70. Gynacantha rammohani

71. Gynacantha remartinia

72. Gynacantha risi

73. Gynacantha rolandmuelleri

74. Gynacantha rosenbergi – grey duskhawker

75. Gynacantha rotundata

76. Gynacantha ryukyuensis

77. Gynacantha saltatrix

78. Gynacantha sextans - Dark-rayed Duskhawker

79. Gynacantha stenoptera

80. Gynacantha stevensoni

81. Gynacantha stylata

82. Gynacantha subinterrupta

83. Gynacantha tenuis

84. Gynacantha tibiata

85. Gynacantha usambarica – Usambara duskhawker

86. Gynacantha vargasi

87. Gynacantha vesiculata

88. Gynacantha villosa – hairy duskhawker

References