Indolestes cheesmanae (Kimmins 1936)

Dataset
Distribution, habitats, phenology and conservation of New Caledonian Odonata: Rank
SPECIES

Classification

kingdom
Animalia: phylum
Arthropoda: class
Insecta: order
Odonata: family
Lestidae: genus
Indolestes: species
Indolestes cheesmanae

description

(Fig. 35)

materials_examined

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).

Name

Homonyms: Indolestes cheesmanae (Kimmins 1936)