The ovipositor of the relic dragonfly Epiophlebia superstes: a morphological re-examination (Odonata: Epiophlebiidae)

The morphology of the endophytic ovipositor in Epiophlebia superstes was studied with light and electron microscopy with special emphasis made on the musculature and microsculpture of the exoskeleton. Structural characters are described and illustrated. The musculature of the ovipositor has many similarities with zygopterans. The ovipositor and 10th adominal segment bear groups of setae and…

European Odonata as hosts of Forcipomyia paludis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The biting midge Forcipomyia (Pterobosca) paludis is the only ceratopogonid species known to parasitise Odonata imagines in Europe. In this study, based mainly on the analysis of about 200 photographically documented cases, data on host species, parasite load and undisturbed position on the odonate body were analysed. The list of hitherto known hosts is extended…

Libellago orri sp. nov. from northern Borneo (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae)

Libellago orri sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Borneo, Sarawak, Bahagian Bintulu, Samarakan, Sg. Gagak, 06 iii 2006, to be deposited in BMNH) from Malaysian Borneo is described from the male sex and compared with L. hyalina, which co-occurs at the same sites. Females of the two species cannot be reliably separated at present.

Noguchiphaea mattii sp. nov. from southern Vietnam (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

Noguchiphaea mattii sp. nov. (Hon Ba Nature Reserve, 12°23′N, 109°08′E, Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam, leg. 29 iv 2006, to be deposited in Zoology Collection, Hanoi University of Science) is described from the male sex and compared with N. yoshikoae, a species collected for the first time in Vietnam in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Province.

Three new libelluline dragonflies from southern Venezuela, with new records of other species (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Elasmothemis rufa sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela, Amazonas, Río Cataniapo), Macrotbemis taurepan sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela, Bolívar, El Paují), and Oligoclada garrisoni sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela: Amazonas, San Fernando de Atabapo) are described and illustrated. All holotypes are deposited at MIZA. Macrothemis heteronycha and Micrathyria paruensis are recorded from Venezuela for the first time, and Micrathyria…

The effects of wind speed, competition, and body size on perch height selection in a guild of Libellulidae species (Odonata)

For eleven species of sympatric libellulids, male mean mass was positively correlated with wing aspect ratio, wing loading, and mean perch height. We tested the hypotheses that perch height selection was governed by interspecific competition or biomechanical responses to increased wind speed at higher perches. Although larger odonates might prefer higher perches to offset their…