The larva of Podolestes orientalis from West Malaysia, with notes on its habitat and biology (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)

The larva of the south-east Asian megapodagrionid, Podolestes orientalis, is described and figured. Specimens were collected from shallow forest pools lined with large dead leaves in secondary lowland forest. Final and earlier stadium larvae were found concentrated around the edges of pools in very shallow water. Larvae sometimes perched in exposed situations, just below the…

The larva of Nesolestes sp. from Madagascar (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)

The larva of the genus Nesolestes is described and figured for the first time. Specimens were found in small brooklets in littoral swamp forest in south-eastern Madagascar. The larva is compared with the two other Madagascan genera of Megapodagrionidae, Protolestes and Tatocnemis, and diagnostic characters are given. The caudal lamellae are held in a horizontal…

Upright emergence in Petalura gigantea (Odonata: Petaluridae)

During the 2003/2004 summer flying season, upright emergence of a male Petalura gigantea was observed and photographed in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales during an extensive survey for the species. This observation differed from the only previous illustration of a hanging back emergence style, and is compared with observations of emergence style for…

Territorial behaviour associated with feeding in both sexes of the tropical zygopteran, Libellago hyalina (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae)

Territorial behaviour associated with adult odonate feeding in a Bornean rain forest under-storey is described and its underlying causes are analysed. Immature males and females of all ages of Libellago hyalina defended perches along a narrow trail in kerangas forest, concentrating especially around patches of sunlight. Throughout the day there was displacement of individuals as…

Critical species of Odonata in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei

Malaysia, Brunei and the Indonesian archipelago comprise a total land area of ca 1.84 million km2 including ca 13,000 islands, lying entirely within the tropics. The region is bisected by Wallace’s line and supports a rich Oriental fauna to the west (Sundaland) and mainly Australian elements to the east. Taxonomic studies throughout the region were…

Conservation of Odonata in the South Pacific and Australasia

The conservation status of Odonata in the South Pacific Region and in Australasia is reviewed. Australian and New Zealand faunas have recently been monographed, for the rest of the region lack of data is the major handicap to concrete planning. The taxonomic status of the different island faunas and the state of habitat modification on…