Neurothemis stigmatizans (Fabricius, 1775)

(Fig. 88)

Libellula stigmatizans Fabricius, 1775: 421; Libellula oculata Fabricius, 1775; Libellula elegans Guérin-Méneville, 1832; Libellula manadensis Boisduval, 1835; Neurothemis diplax Brauer, 1867; Neurothemis innominata Brauer, 1867; Neurothemis pseudosophronia Brauer, 1867; Neurothemis unicolor Selys-Longchamps, 1868 .

Distribution. This species is known from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, north eastern Australia, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (Tsuda 2000). In New Caledonia, one specimen was caught in January 1984, subsequently labelled ‘Nlle Calédonie’ and deposited in the collections of the Musée des Confluences in Lyon (Grand 2004a). We consider this species as vagrant for New Caledonia and did not map distribution. Its subspecies affiliation has not yet been established. Neurothemis stigmatizans bramina Guérin-Méneville in Lesson, 1830 is the only subspecies known in the Pacific. It is known from New Britain, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (Michalski 2012).

Habitat. This species occurs in various standing and slowly flowing water habitats.

Biology and behaviour. Lieftinck (1962) illustrated the larva of N. stigmatizans bramina from New Guinea.

Status. This species appears to be a vagrant in New Caledonia, we therefore suggest ranking it as DD.