Eoargiolestes ochraceus (Montrouzier, 1864)

Grand, Daniel, Marinov, Milen, Jourdan, Herve, Cook, Carl, Rouys, Sophie, Mille, Christian & Theuerkauf, Jörn, 2019, Distribution, habitats, phenology and conservation of New Caledonian Odonata, Zootaxa 4640 (1), pp. 1-112 : 17

Eoargiolestes ochraceus (Montrouzier, 1864)

( Fig. 9 )

Sympecma ochracea Montrouzier, 1864: 247 ; Argiolestes rouxi Ris, 1915 , Argiolestes ochraceus (Montrouzier, 1864) .

Distribution ( Fig. 10 ). Genus endemic to Grande Terre. More than 30 localities are known from all over the island.

Habitats. Eoargiolestes ochraceus prefers creeks with sunny reaches, on moderate slopes and with a rocky bed. It is rarer in the shaded upper parts of mountain creeks.

Biology and behaviour. Larvae were described by Lieftinck (1976). Exuviae are found very close to the water, generally less than 20 cm from the water surface. Males are territorial and remain perched for long periods on rocks near the water surface. They drive off other males venturing into their territory.

Status. This species is widely distributed, with large populations. The main threat to its survival is the pollution of creeks and rivers. We consider this species to be LC.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Eoargiolestes ochraceus: a) male, b) female.

FIGURE 10. Records of Eoargiolestes ochraceus.