Rhyothemis graphiptera (Rambur, 1842)

(Fig. 96)

Libellula graphiptera Rambur, 1842: 45 .

Distribution (Fig. 97). This species inhabits eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia (Tsuda 2000) and New Caledonia where it is recorded at a dozen localities all over Grande Terre. Some specimens collected in 2001 in La Foa (Pocquereux valley) and in 2007 in the Poya municipality (Beaupré) are preserved in the CXMNC col- lection.

Habitat. It occurs in swamps, ponds and calm sections of watercourses. It avoids ultramafic soil.

Biology and behaviour. The larva was briefly illustrated by Theischinger and Hawking (2006). Males are ter- ritorial, perching on, for example, a dominant rush above the water and driving away all dragonflies passing too close to them.

Status. Ryothemis gaphiptera has a relatively wide range in New Caledonia, but is rarely abundant. We there- fore suggest ranking it NT.