Episynlestes Kennedy, 1920

G. Theischinger & J. A. L. Watson, 1985, The Genus Episynlestes Kennedy (Odonata: Synlestidae), Australian Journal of Entomology 24, pp. 143-148 : 143

Episynlestes Kennedy

Episynlestes Kennedy, 1920a: 84 (type-species “ Synlestes albicanda Tilly.” = Synlestes albicauda Tillyard,

1913); Fraser, 1957: 55; Davies, 1981: 18.

Dull metallic greenish black Synlestinae m arked with white or pale yellow, male anal appendages and female abdominal segment 10 white or substantially white. Q uadrilateral cell broad, sometimes very broad, its inner side one-sixth to five-sixths the length of its posterior side. 1 A not meeting posterior distal corner of q, separated from it by short crossvein.

Superior appendages of male elongate, strongly bifid, the tips of the outer, longer branch gently convergent; inferior appendages vestigial. Penis ending in long flagellum curved downwards and forwards almost in a circle; posterior hamule with broad, rounded tip.

Synlestes , the only other synlestine genus known from Australia, can be distinguished from Episynlestes by its contrasting characteristics: terminal abdominal segments and anal appendages dark; quadrilateral cell relatively narrow, its inner side one-quarter to one-eighth the length of its posterior side; 1 A meeting, or almost meeting, the posterior distal corner of q; superior appendages of male forcipate, inferior appendages well developed, but much shorter than superiors; penis lacking terminal flagellum (cf. Kennedy 1920b, Figs 14-15 ; O’Farrell 1970, Fig. 13.8A); posterior hamule sharp-tipped (cf. O’Farrell 1970, Fig. 13.8A).

Figures

Figs 9-20— Male Episynlestes: (9-12) anterior lamina of secondary genitalia, left lateral view: (9) E. intermedius; (10) E. albicauda\ (11-12) E. cristatus. (13) tip of glans, left lateral view, E. intermedius. (14-15) anal appendages, E. intermedius: (14) dorsal view; (15) lateral view. (16-20) inner branch of right superior anal appendage, dorsal view: (16-17) E. intermedius;(18) E. albicauda: (19-20) E. cristatus. Scale line: 5.0 mm for Figs 14-15; 2.5 mm for Figs 16-20; 2.0 mm for Fig. 13; 1.25 mm for Figs 9-12.