The Australian genus Diphlebia Selys (Odonata : Amphipterygidae). I. Taxonomic revision of the adults

Abstract

Detailed redescriptions of adults of the genus Diphlebia are presented based on the examination of large numbers of specimens of all taxa (except D. hybridoides). Keys are presented for males and females of all taxa. D. lestoides lestoides and D. lestoides tillyardi are of subspecific rank but each contain two polymorphic male forms: D. l. lestoides a Bar and a Clear-Wing form, and D. I. tillyardi a Bar and Tip and a Clear-Wing form. Only one female morph was recognized for each subspecies. D. coerulescens Tillyard is demonstrated to be of specific rather than subspecific rank. D. reinholdi Farster is considered synonymous with D. euphaeoides Tillyard. In each taxon, colour pattern variations were expressed in percentage values, as no geographic trends in colour patterns were evident (except for D. I. tillyardi in rain forest).