In this study we use high resolution SEM to describe the diversity of wax crystals and their distribution on different morphological structures in male individuals of Calopteryx splendens. The entire cuticle surface of this damselfly, with the exception of ommatidia and ocelli, is covered with crystalline wax in dimensions from submicron to micron range. It…
All female Odonata have been assumed to produce oocytes continuously during their mature life span. However, a recent study of ovariole orientation and development led to the suggestion that Libellulidae are divided into two groups of species, one with continuous, the other with stepwise oocyte production. To find more evidence of this division, we compared…
We revisit the hypothesis, first advanced in 1962, that, with regard to their means of thermoregulation and overt behaviour, two types of Odonata can be recognised: fliers, when active (during reproductive activity, primarily, or foraging) remain on the wing, whereas perchers, when similarly engaged, spend most of the time on a perch from which they…
Argiolestes aurantiacus, endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, is redescribed and three new species of Argiolestes from the Solomon Archipelago are described: A. bougainville sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, North Solomons, 02 i 1970), A. gizo sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Solomon Islands, Western Province, Gizo Island, alt. 1-100 m, 02 vii 1959) and…
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…
Prodasineura doisuthepensis sp. nov. from Thailand is described and figured. The holotype and two paratypes were collected by the author on 11 May 2002 on the slopes of Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand (18°48′N, 98°56′E). The material will be deposited at the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel (NHMB). The female is unknown. This is the only…
Egg size differences might have an important influence on reproductive success because they may lead to different offspring conditions, hatching date or larval size. We presumed that egg size in odonates positively correlates with egg development time, and larger eggs lead to larger larvae. However, we assumed that the size benefit could only be maintained…
The reproductive behaviour of Neurobasis kaupi was studied for the first time in Central and South Sulawesi. The species was recorded in a wide variety of clear and fast flowing creeks, streams and rivers, mostly in forested areas. The males were territorial and defended potential oviposition sites, a limited resource. Territory owners demonstrated their presence…
The small African species of Diplacodes have been confused for a long time, in part because the black mature males are difficult to separate. The holotype of D. deminuta belongs to the species commonly known as D. okavangoensis, the former name taking priority, while its paratypes belong to that known erroneously as D. deminuta, which…
We classified 542 records of voltinism for 275 species and subspecies of Odonata according to three variables: geographical latitude, systematic position and habitat type. We sorted records according to voltinism—categories being three or more generations per year, two generations per year, one generation per year, one generation in two years and one generation in three…