Megalestes lieftincki, A.R. Lahiri, 1979

A. R. Lahiri, 1979, Odonata (Insecta) from Different States of North Eastern India, Oriental Insects 13, pp. 119-132 : 122-125

11. Megalestcs lieftincki , sp.nov. ( Figs. 1-4 , 6 )

(Male adult): Head brilliant metallic green on dorsum, black beneath. Labium, but for the black palpi, bases of mandibles and lateral edges of clypeus yellow.

Prothorax blackish with lower lateral edges yellow. Hind margin of posterior lobe prothorax shallowly tripartite.

Synthorax dull metallic green on dorsum, still more so on sides below humeral suture. A yellow stripe narrowed above, running below the 1st lateral suture and above the spiracle, beyond which point it is broadened. Metepimeron and beneath synthorax, also yellow. Legs black.

Wings entirely enfumed with brown. Discoidal cells narrow, with costal margin a little less than hind margin. Pterostigma dark brown, braced, covering 3-4 cells, 2.5 mm in length. Postnodal cross veins 24 in fore wing, 22-24 in hind wing, Ab arising a little proximal to Ac in cither wing. 5 post-quadrangular antenodal cells in fore wing, 4 in hind wing.

Abdomen dark bronze brown, almost black on segments 7- 9, segment 10 glossy black. Sides of segment 1 and lower half of sides of segment 2 except a narrow apical annule yellow.

Anal appendages glossy black. Superiors subequal to segment 10 of abdomen, forcipate, cylindrical and well separated at base, narrowing thereafter to a point less than half the length of the organ from base, then again dilated and flattened, obtusely rounded at apex; a basal expansion on inner border, with its outer margin broadly oval as seen from dorsum, subquadrate and shallowly notched, as seen from side. Inferiors a little less than half the length of Superiors, its tip just overlaying the basal expansion of the superiors, broad at base, curving upwards and rapidly narrowing to an acute apex; closely apposed and overlapping at apex as seen from dorsum; a robust spine, arising from nearer base than the tip of the organ, directed straight upwards as seen from sides; shorter and less acutely pointed than the remaining distal portion of the appendage and giving the same a bifurcate appearance.

Penis shaft without hairs, external and internal folds well developed, the latter with a short spine springing up from the outer angle on either side.

Measurements: Abdomen+ anal appendages 58.0 mm, hind wing 35.5 mm

Holotype ♂, India: Arunachal Pradesh: Tahlia , 20.xi.1975, K. R. Rao (Redg. No. E.R.S./Z. S.I.A1/2925) .

This species comes close to Megalestes irma Fraser 1920 , on account of large size and general shape of the anal appendages, but differs from same in the following: relatively smaller; beneath synthorax yellow (vs black, pruinosed); wings enfumed (vs hyaline); 22-24 (v s 17-18) postnodal cross veins in hind wing; details in the shape of the anal appendages, specially that of the basal expansion of the Superiors.

The new species is dedicated to the celebrated Odonatologist, Dr. M.A. Lieftinck.

Figures

Figs. 1-4. Megalestes lieftincki, sp. nov. Holotype: 1-2, Anal appendages; 1, view; 2, right lateral view; 3-4, Penis: 3, lateral view; 4, apex, dorsal view; Fig. 5. Crocothemis servilia servilia (Drury) ♀ Synthorax, lateral view.

Figs. 6-7. 6, Megalestes lieftincki, sp. nov., ♂ holotype; 7, Neurothemls tullia tullia (Drury), isochrome ♀,