Episynlestes albicauda (Tillyard)

Moulds, J. A. L. Watson and M. S., 1977, A Second Species Of Episynlestes Kennedy (Odonata: Chlorolestidae) From North Queensland, J. Aust. ent. Soc. 16, pp. 257-259 : 258-259

Episynlestes albicauda (Tillyard)

Synlestes albicauda Tillyard, 1913: 738 -241 [♂,♀. M t Tambourine (= Tamborine Mt), Queensland].

Episynlestes albicauda: Kennedy, 1920: 84 (recte albicauda ).

Material examined.- QUEENSLAND: 1 ♂, Bouldercombe. Rockhampton, xi.1955, c. Vallis : 6 ♂ ♂, St Mary's Falls, near Rockhampton , 26.xi.1956, C. Vallis ; 2 ♂ ♂, 1 ♀, same locality and collector, i.1957 ; 1, ♂, Baldwin Swamp, Bundaberg , 14.x.1972, H. Frauca: 1 ♀, Water Filly Gorge , Bluff Range , Biggenden , 21.x.1972, H. Frauca ; 1 ♀ ', Bluff Range 7 km Biggenden , 10-12.v.1974, H. Frauca ; 1 ♂. Rocky Gully 5 kin Kenilworth , 15.iii.1975, R. A. Barrett ; 1 ♂, Mapleton Falls, Blackall Range , 25.ix.1955. R. Dobson ; 2 ♂ ♂, 1 ♀, Tamborine Mt. 28.xii.1912 - 3.i.1913. R. J. Tillyard (paralectotypes )) ; 1 ♀, same locality, 29.xii.1954. R. Dobson. (All in ANIC) .

Measurements

Hind wing~.-Average length, male, 29.8 mm (range 28.1-31.5 mm); female, 31.5 mm (range 29.9-33.1 mm).

Pterostigma.- Average length, male. fore wing 1.88 mm (range 1.70-2.06mm), hind wing 2.14 mm (range 1.98-2.30 mm);female, fore wing 1.96rnni (range 1.86-2.10mm), hind wing 2.23mm (range 2.08-2.48 mm).

Comparisons between the two species of Episynlestes

Diagnosis

E. cristatus is significantly smaller than E. albicauda . The males of E. cristatus can be distinguished in addition by the dissimilar quadrilaterals of the fore and hind wing, the more proximal petiolation of the hind wing, the subdivision of the radial field behind the pterostigma into small, pigmented cells and the substantial, crested upper branch of the superior appendage. The females of the two species resemble one another closely. but the smaller pterostigmata of E. cristatus appear to be diagnostic.

Habitats

The habitats of the two species appear to be very similar. Tillyard (1913) described the habitat of E. albicauda in the rain forest on Tarnborine Mt, a densely shaded area in which the sombre coloration of the insects provided an extremely effective camouflage. E. cristatus is similarly associated with small streams in rain forest, although it may occur in shaded situations along more open watercourses, as along the McLeod River. Like E. albicauda , it is well camouflaged, both perched and in flight; as is common among chlorolestids, flight may be rapid, but is rarely sustained, and specimens can be gathered by hand.