268 DRAGONFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA 
Subfamily LEsTINAE 
These are rather large, clear winged damselflies of very elongate 
form. The quadrangle is rather strongly inclined to rearward, and is 
so very pointed at its outer angle as to be almost triangular. Vein M; 
rises near to the arculus. The stigma is large and well braced and sur- 
mounts two or more cells. On both sides of vein M; there are interca- 
lated sectors in the interspaces. The colors run to browns and bronzy 
greens. 
The nymphs are slender climbing forms, with legs, antennae and 
labium of unusual length and slenderness, and with pedunculate, 
nearly parallel sided, blunt-tipped gills, that show axial subsegmenta- 
tion. The median lobe of the labium has a short closed median cleft, 
and the lateral lobe is trifid. There are raptorial setae in both, two of 
these springing from the end hook of the lateral lobe on its dorsal side. 
In our fauna there are but two genera, separable as follows: 
KEY TO THE GENERA 
Adults 
1 Vein M;z rises about one cell beyond the nodus . Archilestes, p. 268 
Vein M; rises several cells beyond the nodus...... Lestes, p. 270 
Nymphs 
1 In the trifid lateral lobe of the labium the upper notch is simple 
Be dils la ge Ouch a weaves $0 Meee Ose eeee Archilestes, p. 269 
In the trifid lateral lobe of the labium there is a serrated border 
withim the upper noteh ..... ..) 2 5.. 2 e401 vetoes Lestes, p. 273 
59. ARCHILESTES Selys 
These are large damselflies with rather stout bodies and rather broad 
wings. The quadrangle has the front side so greatly shortened as to 
be almost in line with the outer, making an almost triangular enclosure. 
Vein M,; rises hardly more than a single cell beyond the nodus. 
This is a small genus of two southwestern and western species. 
Their habits have been observed by Kennedy and his account of A. 
californica is quoted under that species. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
Adults 
1 Color metallic green or brown; expanse 82 mm....grandis, p. 269 
Color dull grayish brown or grayish blue; expanse 62 mm....... 
californica, p. 269 
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