Information on larval biology of Macromia splendens was compiled and supplemented by hitherto unpublished data. Larvae inhabit mainly calm river stretches, sometimes artificial impoundments, and lentic margins of lotic sections. From the majority of records it is concluded that the larvae mainly dwell in sandy substrates in shallow water, which sometimes contains little leaf litter.
The range of Macromia splendens, a rare anisopteran, includes SE France and some scattered localities on the Iberian Peninsula. During 1996-1998, I made an exhaustive search for the characteristics of the species’ larval and adult habitat, flight period and adult activity in NW Spain. Nine populations were found, greatly increasing its known range. Adults were…