Synthemis montaguei Campion, 1921

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 : 68-70

Synthemis montaguei Campion, 1921

( Fig. 70 )

Synthemis montaguei Campion, 1921: 55 .

Distribution ( Fig. 71 ). Endemic to Grande Terre. This species appears to be close to S. miranda , it is recorded from more than 20 localities all over the island, especially at low altitude.

Habitat. It prefers watercourses in the lowland forest (streams to rivers), deep, rather wide, with a moderate current. More rarely, it is found at mid altitude in slow reaches of streams.

Biology and behaviour. Numerous exuviae have been found on the trunks of trees along rivers 0.5– 2 m above the ground. Males appear moderately territorial, regularly patrolling sections of the bank 15–30 m long. They of- ten rest for long periods, hanging from twigs or on tufts of grass. One female was observed very early in an area frequented by many males. In the late afternoon up to 15–25 individuals may hunt until dusk in the same area in clearings near water.

Status. Less abundant than the previous species, Synthemis montaguei rarely has large populations. Neverthe- less, we consider this species to be at low risk ( LC).

Figures

FIGURE 70. Synthemis montaguei: a) male, b) female.

FIGURE 71. Records of Synthemis montaguei.