Lestes, Leach, 1815

Belle, J., 1997, The genus Lestes (Odonata: Lestidae) Leach, 1815, in Surinam, Zool. Med. Leiden 71 (11), pp. 89-103 : 89-91

Keys to the species of Lestes

The colour pattern of the pterothoracic venter (= pectoral colour pattern of Calvert, 1909: 93) is of great importance for the identification of the Surinam species of Lestes . The dark markings of this pattern appear to be identical, or nearly so, in both sexes of the same species. However, aged specimens often have this colour pattern obscured by pruinosity. If a clean-out is possible, the complete pattern will become discernible. Males of all species are rather easily distinguished by differences in shape of the superior caudal appendages (cerci).

Caution should be taken in using the key since the males of Lestes sublatus Hagen in Selys and Lestes trichonus spec, nov., and the female of Lestes basidens spec. nov. are unknown.

Key to the males

1. Small species: abdomen 26-29.5, hind wing 16-19. Inner side of superior caudal appendages with a strong spine-like basal and subapical tooth and a row of minute teeth between them. Pectoral colour pattern shaped as shown in fig. 2 .... ..................................................................................................... L. mediorufus Calvert.

- Larger species: abdomen 30-37, hind wing 20-23. Shape of superior caudal appendages different....................................................................................................2

2 (1). Caudal appendages pale; apical half of superior caudal appendages regularly and strongly curving downward (fig. 15). Pectoral colour pattern only consisting of a posterior pair of dark spots (fig. 4) ......................... L. curvatus spec. nov.

- Caudal appendages not pale; apical half of superior caudal appendages not strongly curving downward.......................................................................................3

3 (2). Inner side of superior caudal appendages without spines of any kind. Pectoral colour pattern with three pairs of dark oblong spots close to ventro-lateral carina (fig. 7) .................................................................................. L. edentatus spec. nov.

- Inner side of superior caudal appendages with spines.......................................... 4

4. Inner side of superior caudal appendages with a truncate basal tooth and a subapical row of minute spines (fig. 18); branch of each inferior caudal appendage reaching backward to a point about one-third the way along superior caudal appendage .................................................................................... L. tenuatus Rambur

- Inner side of superior caudal appendages with a strong acute tooth at base followed by a row of minute spines (fig. 10); branch of each inferior caudal appendage reaching backward to a point about two-thirds the way along superior caudal appendage ............................................................... L. basidens spec. nov.

Key to the females

1. Small species: abdomen 25-28, hind wing 18-19. Pectoral colour pattern shaped as shown in fig. 2 ...................................................................... L. mediorufus Calvert

- Larger species: abdomen 29-37; hind wing 21-26.....................................................2

2 (1). Abdomen 29, hind wing 23. Antehumeral stripes brassy black and conspicuously large, extending over whole length of mesepisternum and breadthways extending from middorsal carina to a distance from humeral suture of one-third its own width. Sides of pterothorax yellow except for a small metepimeral black spot below. Pectoral colour pattern shaped as shown in fig. 9 ................................ ............................................................................................. L. sublatus Hagen in Selys

- Colour pattern of female different; antehumeral stripes narrower and not touching middorsal carina .....................................................................................................3

3 (2). Caudal appendages pale, stout, not conical i.e. not regularly tapering from base to apex (fig. 33). Pectoral colour pattern only consisting of a posterior pair of dark spots (fig. 4) ..................................................................... L. curvatus spec. nov.

- Caudal appendages not pale, conical i.e. regularly tapering from base to apex ... 4

4 (3). Caudal appendages slender and about three and a half times as long as it is wide at base. Pectoral colour pattern with three pairs of dark oblong spots close to ventro-lateral carina (fig. 7) ............................................. L. edentatus spec. nov.

- Caudal appendages short, thick, conical and twice to two and a half times as long as it is wide at base...............................................................................................5

5 (4). Venter of pterothorax with long pale hairs. Pectoral colour pattern with welldeveloped dark metasternal spots (fig. 8) .......................... I. trichonus spec. nov.

- Venter of pterothorax glabrous. Pectoral colour pattern without or with weakly developed dark metasternal spots ........................................... L. tenuatus Rambur