Indolestes cheesmanae ( Kimmins, 1936 )

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 : 40-42

Indolestes cheesmanae ( Kimmins, 1936)

( Fig. 35 )

Austrolestes cheesmanae Kimmins, 1936: 69 .

Distribution ( Fig. 36 ). This species has been recorded from both Vanuatu ( Kimmins 1936; Lieftinck 1975; Tsuda 2000) and New Caledonia on Grande Terre, with nine known localities from north to south. It has rarely been collected, but we think it has been overlooked due to its cryptic lifestyle and insufficient sampling effort during its flight period. One specimen (unknown locality) is in the ONNC collection.

Habitats. The species prefers ponds, grassy marshes, and streams on slopes in forested areas. Ponds are mostly shallow, and may partially dry out seasonally. It has similar habitat preferences to Lestes concinnus .

Biology and behaviour. Its larvae are unknown but Lieftinck (1960) considered that they should be very similar to Lestes concinnus Hagen in Selys-Longchamps, 1862 .

Status. Indolestes cheesmanae is a regional endemic from both Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Its preferred habitats are vanishing following disappearance of coastal marshes (especially in Nouméa and its surroundings) and drainage of other marshy areas. We consider this species as vulnerable (VU).

Figures

FIGURE 35. Indolestes cheesmanae, male.

FIGURE 36. Records of Indolestes cheesmanae.