The larva of Neoneura confundens Wasscher and van't Bosch, 2013 (Odonata, Coenagrionidae) and key to the larvae of genus.

José S Rodríguez,Carlos Molineri

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201920190302

Abstract

The beautifully colored damselflies included in Neoneura Selys are divided in 28 species known from North, Central and South America. Larval stage is little known, only seven species were described at this stage. We describe and illustrate the final instar larva of Neoneura confundens for the first time. Adults associated to this larva correspond to the blue form of the species and are also discussed and illustrated. The larva of N. confundens is similar to other Neoneura larvae, showing 1 premental seta and a well-marked nodus in caudal lamellae, but it can be differentiated by having fringed posterior margin in all tibiae and in middle and hind tarsi, among other characters. A key to known larvae of Neoneura and new records extending the species range in the southern cone are provided.

Highlights

The genus Neoneura Selys comprises a beautifully colored group of small damselflies known from Southwest USA to northern Argentina and Uruguay, including Brazil almost entirely (Garrison et al 2010)
Neoneura was until recently classified in Protoneuridae (Pessacq 2008), Dijkstra et al (2013, 2014) transferred all the Neotropical species of this family to Coenagrionidae
The larva of Neoneura confundens shares with N. aaroni, N. carnatica, N. fulvicolis, N. joana, N. maria and N. ethela the presence of one pair of premental setae, whereas N. kiautai has two pairs

Summary

Introduction

The genus Neoneura Selys comprises a beautifully colored group of small damselflies known from Southwest USA to northern Argentina and Uruguay, including Brazil almost entirely (Garrison et al 2010). Contrary to the noticeable adults, larvae are almost unknown, from the 28 species described (Garrison 1999, Garrison et al 2010, Wasscher and van’t Bosch 2013) only the larvae of seven are recognized: N. aaroni Calvert, N. carnatica Selys, N. fulvicollis Selys, N. joana Williamson, N. maria, N. kiautai Machado and N. ethela Williamson (Westfall and May 2006, Needham 1939, De Marmels 2007, Geijskes 1954, Westfall 1964, Anjos-Santos et al 2011, De Souza et al 2012). Neoneura confundens Wasscher and van’t Bosch (2013) presents some variability in male coloration LARVA OF Neoneura confundens forms) and in male cercus denticulation (1 to 3 ventral denticles may be present) throughout its wide distributional range, but its larva is still unknown. New data allow a 300 km southward extension of the species distributional range

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