Episynlestes cristatus, Moulds, 1977

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 : 257-258

Episynlestes cristatus sp. n. ( Figs 1 - 4 )

Episynlestes “c” Watson, 1974: sp. 142.

Types. - Holotype ♂ , allotype ♀: “N. Queensland Paluma ( Mt Spec ) 2900 ‘ 6-11.i.1968 R. Dobson ”, in copula ( ANIC Type No. 9865) (in Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra) . Paratypes: QUEENSLAND: 4 ♂ ♂, 5 ♀.’, McLeod River near junction with Spurgeon Creek , 23.xii.1974, M. S. Moulds (Australian Museum) ; 1♂, Mt Misery W of Mossman , 22.xii.1974, M. S. Moulds (Australian Museum) ; 1 ♂ 8-13 km Mt Lewis road off Mossman-Mt Molioy road. 22.iv.1967, D. H. Colless ( ANIC) ; 1 ♂, Henrietta Creek, Palmerston National Park , 23.iv.1970. S. R.Curtis ( ANIC) : 1♀;, M t Spec , 1.i.1958, C. Vallis ( ANIC) ; 16 ♂ ♂, 1 ♀, data as for holotype ( ANIC) ; 1 ♀, Paluma, 6.i.1969, J. G. Brooks and E. E. Adams ( ANIC) .

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Male Colour pattern closely similar to that of Episynlestes albicauda .

Head.-Labium yellowish; labrum metallic greenish brown with pale anterior spot in midline; clypeus brown with dark metallic green reflections;frons dark reddish brown with traces of metallic green; antennae pale yellow basally, distal half of second segment and flagellum dark brown. cuticle surrounding antenna1 insertion yellowish; vertex dark metallic green: occiput dull, dark grey with yellowish diagonal band across postocular lobe towards occipital margin; back of head yellowish.

of Prothorax yellow with brownish green dorsal band, darkest o n posterior lobe and centre median lobe: pleuron black with slight metallic reflections.

Synthorax yellow; mesepisternum dark metallic green above; dorsal carina almost black; lateral dark metallic greenish black band extending diagonally from propleuron to base of hind wing, finely broken along interpleural suture.

Legs yellow, shaded darker on inner surfaces. spines and tibial comb dark brown; blackish spot a t femoro-tibia1 articulation; tarsal segments and claws reddish brown.

Wings ( Figs 1,2 ).-Average length of hind wing 27.3 m m (range 26.1-28.8 mm), hyaline, veins black; venation generally similar to that of Episynlestes albicauda ; pterostigma dark brown, short. its costal side averaging 1.52mm (range 1.38-1.60 mm) in fore wing, 1.77 mm (range 1.56-1.90nim) in hind wing; variable brown spot obscuring two to three small cells between R, and R, behind pterostigma ( Fig.2 ), larger in fore wing than in hind wing. sometimes much reduced or absent in hind wing: quadrilateral cell normal in fore wing, but much shortened and broadened in hind wing. associated with abrupt broadening of hind wing just beyond level of basal antenodal, and corresponding increase in length of anal vein ( Fig. 1 ).

Abdomen dark brownish black; anterior half of segment 1 pale yellow above: segments 1 and 2 yellow below: segments 3-7 with narrow pale yellow basal band expanded ventrally and broken by black mid-dorsal line,yellow of segment 7duller and less distinct than that of segments 3-6: anteriorsegment 8partly yellowish below; segments 9 and 10 black, distal margin of segment 10 deeply excised to accommodate expanded bases of superior appendages ( Fig. 3 ).

Anal appendages ( Figs. 3, 4 ).-Superior appendages highly modified, with heavy, upwardly-directed basal black process, and long, slender, trifurcate whitish to yellow lower branch: upper black branches rising approximately 1 mm above dorsal surface of segment 10, their apices converging towards midline, each bearing crest of black setae approximately 0.8mm long, the crests interlocking at their bases; lower branches approximately 3.5 mm long, outer member of each longer than inner member, with apex slightly swollen, converging towards midline; bifurcate inner members shorter, approaching midline. inner, lower fork sharply pointed, longer than outer, upper, blunter fork. Inferior appendages vestigial.

Female Colour pattern of head and thorax generally similar to that of male, but with dark metallic green of mesepisternum greatly reduced, forming isolated greenish patch on each side, surrounded by brownish yellow margin; pterostigmata slightly larger and yellowish-brown, much paler than in male, average costal length in fore wing 1.62mm (range 1.56-1.64mm) and in hind wing 1.89 mm (range.84- 1.92 mm). lacking 1 the adjoining dark spots and associated small cells; mean length of hind wing 29.5 mm (range 28.8-30.2mm): quadrilateral cell of hind wing similar to that of fore wing, the petiolation of hind wing commencing at level of of arculus; segment 10 abdomen white.

Figures

FIGS1,2- Venation of male Episynlestes cristatus sp. n.. paratypes, Paluma: (1) base of foreand hind wings; (2) region of pterustigma.

FIGS 3, 4 -Anal appendages of male Episynlestes cristatussp. n., paratype. Paluma: (3) dorsal view: (4) right lateral view.