Phylolestes, Christiansen, K. A., 1947

Christiansen, K. A., 1947, A new genus and species of damselfly from southern Haiti (Odonata), Psyche 54, pp. 256-262 : 256-258

’ Phylolestes , new genus

Wings long and narrow, about seven times as long as wide. Petiolation ends well before the level of the quad­ rangle in both wings. In the fore wings Ac is well distad of the level of petiolation and is opposite the midpoint between the two antenodals. In the hind wings Ac is

.

slightly distad of the level of petiolation and is closer to the second antenodal than to the first; second antenodal on a level with the arculus; quadrangle strongly acute with the proximal side as long as, or longer than, anterior side; subquadrangle separated from the wing margin with this separation more marked in the fore wing; anal bridge arises distally directly from the distal angle of the quadrangle in the hind wings, and originates slightly below the quadrangle in the fore wings; vein Cu P swings up sharply on leaving the quadrangle; R plus 5 arises closer to the subnodus than to the areulus, and more than one cell before the subnodus nodus located of the dis­

tance from the base to the distal end of the wing; IR3 arises at subnodus; IR2 is deflected strongly toward the stigma; at least one true sector between IR2 and R3, rising proximad to the level of the stigma; no oblique crossvein between R3 and IR3. Superior male abdominal appendages forcipate, inferiors rudimentary and plate­like. Penis typically Synlestine, lacking a terminal lobe and possessing a visible median spine.

The genus Phylolestes is very close in the shape of the penes to the African genus Chlorolestes ; however, it may easily be separated from this genus by the venation and the shape of the inferior abdominal appendages. In

Chlorolestes the anal bridge originates distally well down the vein descending from the quadrangle in both wings, and joins the wing margin well before reaching Ac; Ac is opposite, slightly distad, or slightly proximad of, the level of the first antenodal; the wings are petiolated to, or nearly to, the level of the quadrangle; and the inferior abdominal appendages have a heavily sclerotized spiniform area. In Phylolestes the anal bridge starts at, or very close to, the distal angle of the quadrangle and runs into Ac before reaching the wing margin; Ac is opposite the midpoint between the first and second antenodals or closer to the second antenodal; the wings are clearly not petiolated to the level of the arculus; and the inferior abdominal appendages lack any heavily sclerotized area.

The distal origin of the anal bridge is similar to a condition found in the Australian genus Synlestes , while the condition of Ac resembles that of the Oriental Megalestes ; but a separation of these three genera may easily be seen by an examination of the penes and a comparison of the venation.

Genotype. Phylolestes ethelae ,.