Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832)

Grand, Daniel, Marinov, Milen, Jourdan, Herve, Cook, Carl, Rouys, Sophie, Mille, Christian & Theuerkauf, Jörn, 2019, Distribution, habitats, phenology and conservation of New Caledonian Odonata, Zootaxa 4640 (1), pp. 1-112 : 100

Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832)

Libellula limbata Desjardins, 1832 ; Libellula stylata Rambur, 1842 ; Libellula incerta Rambur, 1842 ; Libellula mauriciana Rambur, 1842 ; Libellula similata Rambur, 1842 ; Trapezostigma madagascariensis Kirby, 1889 ; Tramea madagascariensis Kirby, 1889 ; Tramea translucida Kirby, 1889 .

Distribution. This species occurs in subtropical Africa, several islands of the Indian and Pacific oceans, and the Indian subcontinent ( Tsuda 2000). There are only a few records for New Caledonia, in the southern half of Grande Terre. It is likely these were misidentifications.

Habitat. This species frequents swamps, ponds and lakes and sometimes calm parts of watercourses, as well as large pools of overgrown creeks and streams located in an open environment.

Biology and behaviour. Its larval development is unknown, but Grand (2004b) collected numerous exuviae on Réunion Island. This migrant has pronounced nomadic behaviour and it is not rare to encounter it far from water. Breeding males move alongside or above the water. As for other species in the genus, T. limbata has an unusual oviposition technique described above (see Tramea loewii ).

Status. The occurrence of T. limbata in New Caledonia appears doubtful despite some unconfirmed reports. The species may have been confused with T. liberata or T. transmarina intersecta .