Argiagrion leoninum, known only from the female holotype alleged to be West African, is shown to be a junior synonym of the Brazilian species Leptagrion macrurum. Moroagrion danielli, known only from the male holotype thought to be from the Philippines, is a junior synonym of the European Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Argiagrion and Moroagrion were both monotypic…
Calicnemia soccifera sp. nov. from Yunnan, China (Zygoptera: Platycnemididae)
A new species, Calicnemia soccifera sp. nov. (holotype male: Jinping, Yunnan, China) is described and illustrated for both sexes. C. miniata is confirmed to occur in Xizang (Tibet), China, and preliminary taxonomic remarks on some Chinese species of Calicnemia are given.
Differential survival rates of damselfly larvae in the presence of newt and dragonfly predators
The damselfly species Paracercion melanotum has been found to be the most abundant species in damselfly larval communities on Okinawa-zima Island in southwest Japan. To clarify differential susceptibility to predation, a possible factor affecting relative population densities in larval communities, between Paracercion melanotum and a less common damselfly species, Ischnura senegalensis, laboratory experiments were conducted…
Three new Cephalaeschna species from central China with descriptions of the hitherto unknown sex of related species (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
Three new Cephalaeschna species, C. discolor sp. nov. (holotype male; Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Shennongjia City, Hubei province, China, 16 August 2012), C. mattii sp. nov. (holotype male; Lujiahe River, Zigui County, Hubei province, China, 18 September 2012) and C. solitaria sp. nov. (holotype male; Dalongtan in Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Shennongjia City, Hubei province,…
Fluminagrion gen. nov. for Acanthagrion taxaense Santos, 1965, from Brazil (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
A new genus of Coenagrionidae, Fluminagrion, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is described, diagnosed, and illustrated, based on examination of the type series and additional specimens of Acanthagrion taxaense Santos, 1965, deposited in the collection of MNRJ/Brazil. This genus is characterized by: posterior lobe of prothorax trilobate, with medial lobe rounded and projected in both…
Effect of vegetation removal for road building on richness and composition of Odonata communities in Amazonia, Brazil
This study showed that the main impact on Odonata species of removal of riparian vegetation for road building was on community composition, since species richness remained unaltered. This result, most evident in damselflies, was probably driven by the entry of generalist species that replaced specialist species after the impact. We collected adult odonates in forested…
Do coloured-winged damselflies and dragonflies have flight kinematics different from those with clear wings?
The flights of male odonates encountering conspecifics at their reproduction sites were investigated by means of slow-motion films. We recorded large and generally consistent differences between species with clear wings (SCLW) and species with coloured wings (SCOW). SCLW mostly fought having physical contact and moved their wings without pauses in wing beats (hereafter designated wing…
Habitat segregation of sympatric Mnais damselflies (Odonata: Calopterygidae): microhabitat insolation preferences and competition for territorial space
Distribution and abundance of sympatric Mnais costalis and M. pruinosa damselflies were studied in a low mountain stream in Shiga, Japan, from 2008 through 2012. The reproductive seasons of the two species overlapped almost entirely: both species emerged in early May and disappeared in late June each year. Males of both species hold territories within…