129 

 Smith and Pritchard: Odonafo 



Fig. 4:40. Base of hind wing of Lepthem/s vesiculosa, male, 

 g, gaff; h, heel cell; a, interpolated ankle cells; si, sole; n,o, 

 paranals; m, membranule; Ac, anal crossing; Mf, middle fork; 

 mr, midrib; br, bridge; m-pl, median planate; ob, oblique cross 

 vein; r, reverse cross vein (Needham and Westfall, 1955). 





Subfamily L IB ELLUL IN AE 



} This group contains the commonest and best known 

 of the Odonata. The adults are common about every 

 pond, ditch, and roadside. They are generally non- 

 metallic but often of brilliant coloration. In some 

 cases the color becomes obscured by pruinosity in 



, old age. The sexes frequently differ in color and 

 markings. This cosmopolitan subfamily is the largest 



D and most dominant member of the order comprising 

 about one-fourth of all known species. 



Q The majority of the species breed in still water, 

 and adults rarely stray far from water. 



Fig. 4:41. Venation of Tauriphila austral i s, fore wing, showing 

 planates in relation to principal veins: Ap pi, apical planate; 

 R pi, radial planate; M pi, median planate. 



The naiads have squarish heads when viewed from 

 above. They are usually active and climb through 

 the aquatic vegetation. 



Genus P seudoleon Kirby, 1889 



A single ornate species, P. superbus (Hagen) 1861, 

 is found in the Southwest and south to Guatemala. 

 The adult is easily recognized by the heavy pattern 

 of brown on the wings (fig. 4:42) and dull yellow 

 oblique markings on the abdomen. The naiads occur 

 in cooler parts of southwestern streams. The females 

 prefer ovipositing in and about algae and other debris 

 in slow moving pools. 



Genus Pachydiplax Brauer, 1868 



This genus contains the single species, P. longi- 

 pennis (Burmeister) 1839 (fig. 4:53). It is wide rang-; 

 ing, occurring in southern Canada, the United States, 

 West Indies, and northern Mexico. 



Fig. 4:42. Wings of Pseuc/o/eon superbus 

 (Needham and Westfall, 1955). 



