Zenithoptera Selys, 1869

Mauffray, William F. & Tennessen, Kenneth J., 2019, A Catalogue and Historical Study of the Odonata of Ecuador, Zootaxa 4628 (1), pp. 1-265 : 206-208

Zenithoptera Selys, 1869

Identification of Zenithoptera species depends on wing coloration and structure of the vesica spermalis ( Jurzitza 1982), ( Pujol-Luz & Rodrigues da Fonseca 1997). Adults inhabit small to medium-sized vegetated ponds and pools of small, slow streams; the surrounding habitat is usually open to somewhat shaded by trees. The species in Ecuador have drab, mottled bodies, but the wings are spectacularly colored, brilliant iridescent blue on top and black underneath with white bands and spots ( Figs. 116a & b ). The genus is peculiar in that adults perch with their wings either held slightly downward or together upright over the abdomen, somewhat similar to Zygoptera that fold their wings. However, at times one pair of wings will be held upright, while the other pair is held downward. This behavior of holding the wings upright is unique in the New World Anisoptera fauna ( Paulson 2004b). Two species are known from Ecuador.

Zenithoptera fasciata (Linnaeus, 1758) . Publ. Recs. ECU: (H06), (P11), (H14); NA: *Tennessen (1996b—as Z. americana ); OR: Tennessen (1998), von Ellenrieder & Garrison (2011). Also BRA, CEN, COL, GUF, GUY, PER, SUR, VEN, TTO: (H06), (P11).

Addl. Data. NA, Tena: 1 ♂, Puerto Napo, 5.3 km E of Hwy. 45 on J.S.B.S. Road, Río Sinde (-1.0500, -77.7481, 450m), 22 vii 1996, leg. & det. WFM [LSAM]; 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀, J.S.B.S., Poza 3 (-1.0655, -77.6127, 437m), 10 xi 2014, leg. & det. ACRP [ACRP]; OR, Francisco de Orellana: 1 ♀, Reserva Etnica Waorani, 1 km S of Onkone Gare Camp (-0.63, -76.60), 20 i 1994, leg. T. Erwin, det.? [USNM]; 2 ♂♂, swamp, P.N.Y. (-0.6508, -76.3558, 200m), 15 xi 1997, leg. & det. KJT [KJT]; 1 ♂, same data but 16 xi 1997, leg. & det. TWD [SWD]; 2 ♂♂, pond, P.N.Y., km marker 29.5, 17 xi 1997, leg. & det. KJT [KJT]; 1 ♂, [Pompeya Sur], S on [Pompeya Sur-Iro road] at km marker 31, borrow pit near Río Sabaleto (-0.6569, -76.4528, 200m), 17 xi 1997, leg. & det. KJT [KJT]; 1 ♂, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, 8.2 km W on road to Loreto from Coca-Sachas Road, pond (-0.4578, -77.0381, 288m), 18 xi 1997, leg. & det. WFM [FSCA]; 3 ♂♂, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, 11.8 km W on Loreto Road, large pond (-0.4742, -77.0583, 285m), 18 xi 1997, leg. & det. WFM [FSCA, LSAM, QZAC]; 2 ♂♂, same data but leg. & det. TWD [SWD]; 1 ♂, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, 12.3 km W on road to Loreto from Coca-Sachas Road, pond (-0.4750, -77.0747, 290m), 13 vi 1995, leg. & det. WFM [FSCA]; 1 ♂, same data but leg. & det. SWD [KJT].

* Zenithoptera lanei Santos, 1941 . Publ. Recs. ARG, BRA, PRY, PER, VEN: (H06), (P11); plus COL: (P16).

Addl. Data. NA, Tena: 1 ♂, J.S.B.S., near Tena, pond (450m), 18 vi 1994, leg. A. Jaramillo, det. DRP [DRP]; OR, Francisco de Orellana: 1 ♀, T. B.S., fogging, TLE Plot T-1, Sta. 8. FCS Work no. 095 (-0.6319, -76,1442, 220–250m), 2 x 2000, leg. T Erwin, det. WFM [USNM]; 3 ♂♂, ponds near Comunidad El Rocio, (-0.5054, - 77.1569, 290m), 27 x 2013, leg. & det. CDK [FSCA]; same data but 2 ♂♂, leg. & det. KJT [FSCA]; La Joya de Los Sachas: 1 ♂, La Joya de Los Sachas , E, ponds, (-0.2202, -76.6987, 262m), 29 x 2013, leg. & det. CDK [FSCA]; SU, Shushufindi, 1 ♂, stream about 3 km NW of Shushufindi, 2+ km N off Hwy. 26 at km marker 17 (-0.1664, -76.6917, 290m), 13 v 2009, leg. & det. KJT [FSCA]; 1 ♂, same data but 14 v 2009 [FSCA]; 1 ♀, same data but 14 x 2009 [KJT]; 1 ♂, same data but 13 x 2009, leg. & det. JTJ [JTJ]; 1 ♂, Shushufindi , SW, pond (-0.2201, -76.6989), 29 x 2013, leg. & det. KJT [FSCA].

Figures

FIGURE 116a. Zenithoptera lanei ♂, (normal resting position) ECUADOR, Orellana Prov., pool in small stream, SW of Shushufindi, 13 v 2009; photo K. J. Tennessen.

FIGURE 116b. Zenithoptera lanei ♂ (alternate resting position), ECUADOR, Orellana Prov., pond E of Comunidad El Rocio, 27 x 2013; photo K. J. Tennessen.