The final stadium larvae of Megalestes micans Needham, 1930 and M. kurahashii Asahina, 1985 are described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China, and a key to the known larvae of seven species of the genus Megalestes is provided. All exuviae will be stored at the Invertebrate Collection of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,…
Analysing the European genera of family Lestidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) with special emphasis on the status of Chalcolestes based on the morphological characteristics of male adults
Lestidae is a heterogeneous family with more than 150 species worldwide. There are many debates concerning its resolution. One of them is whether the genus Chalcolestes should be recognized as a genus or considered as a synonym of Lestes. We compared male characteristics of eight Hungarian species of three genera (Lestes, Chalcolestes and Sympecma) of…
The larva of Perissolestes remotus (Williamson & Williamson, 1924) (Zygoptera: Perilestidae)
The larva of Perissolestes remotus is described for the first time based on Costa Rican specimens collected in forested streams with abundant organic matter. It is characterized by a slender, elongated body, with lateral keels on abdominal segments 1–9, and a middorsal row of spines on segments 4–10. We also provide additional notes on the…
Constant and shifting photoperiods as seasonal cues during larval development of the univoltine damselfly Lestes sponsa (Odonata: Lestidae)
Larvae were reared at 21.5°C from eggs from southernmost Sweden, and fed ad libitum to emergence in four different photoperiodic treatments, intended to represent increasing levels of time stress: constant LD 16:8, corresponding to late April (or August) conditions, a shift after about two weeks from LD 16:8 to 19.5:4.5, coarsely simulating late spring, constant…
Egg hatching phenology and success of Lestes macrostigma in two temporary brackish ponds
Although a full life cycle approach is optimally needed to make conservation decisions, the egg stage is often neglected for insect species of special conservation interest. Water management and related abiotic factors are relevant factors to consider in aquatic species. Lestes macrostigma is a threatened damselfly restricted to temporary brackish waters. Here we provide detailed…
Notes on the retractabilty of gill tufts in Pseudolestes mirabilis (Zygoptera: Pseudolestidae)
A detailed observation of living larva of Pseudolestes mirabilis was conducted, with a focus on the gill tufts, which were confirmed to be retractable. Photographs of the larva in life and video records are provided to demonstrate this finding.
A preliminary study on female-limited colour polymorphism in Lestes sponsa
Female-limited colour polymorphisms are widespread in Odonata, usually showing an androchrome and one or more gynochromes. Androchromes have been hypothesized to function as male mimics with a consequent decrease of male harassment, although males may also learn to recognize the different female colour morphs. In the Eurasian damselfly Lestes sponsa, the occurrence of two female…
Two new species of Pyrrhargiolestes, with a key to the males (Odonata: Argiolestidae)
Two new species belonging to the endemic New Guinea genus Pyrrhargiolestes are described from Papua New Guinea: P. lamington sp. nov. (holotype: Mount Lamington, Oro Province, dep. in RMNH) and P. yela sp. nov. (holotype: Rossel Island, Milne Bay Province, dep. in USNM). The presumed male of P. aulicus is described for the first time….
Morphometric and molecular studies on the populations of the damselflies Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens (Odonata, Lestidae)
Morphometric and genetic differences were analysed for two closely related damselflies, Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens. A total of 305 male individuals were collected from six European countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Portugal). Measurements from a total of 28 populations of C. viridis and C. parvidens and several intermediate forms were collected to…
Limited spermathecal sperm removal ability in the damselfly Hypolestes trinitatis (Gundlach) (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)
It has been hypothesized that sperm removal ability in male Odonata (damselflies and dragonflies) has promoted sexual conflict over the sperm stored in the reproductive tract of the female. Although there is evidence supporting this hypothesis, most studies have been conducted in a small number of species from specific families. We explored sperm removal ability…