Xanthagrion erythroneurum Selys-Longchamps, 1876

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 : 29-32

Xanthagrion erythroneurum Selys-Longchamps, 1876

( Fig. 23 )

Xanthagrion erythroneurum Selys-Longchamps, 1876: 231 .

Distribution ( Fig. 24 ). This is a monotypic genus, with a widespread distribution, from Indonesia to most of Australia and Fiji ( Tsuda 2000). In New Caledonia, it has been recorded from five localities only in the south of Grande Terre. One specimen was collected in Nouméa ( Kimmins 1953) and another in the Montagne des Sources, both are in the ONNC collection. Davies (2002) reported to have observed this species all over the island in 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1984, but did not give the localities where he observed it.

FIGURE 21. Ischnura pamelae , mating pair.

Habitat. Xanthagrion erythroneurum occurs in standing water or sunny places with slow currents. Typical habitats are pools and streams with dense herbaceous vegetation on their banks.

Biology and behaviour. The larva was partially described ( Hawking 1986; Theischinger & Hawking 2006). Males rest on twigs above the water and mating occurs in river-bank vegetation.

Status. According to Davies (2002), its distribution in New Caledonia is probably more extensive than cur- rently known. Xanthagrion erythroneurum should be considered as insufficiently documented but probably locally threatened. As a precaution, we provisionally rank it as VU within the archipelago.

Figures

FIGURE 23. Xanthagrion erythroneurum: a) male, b) female.

FIGURE 24. Records of Xanthagrion erythroneurum.