Rhyothemis phyllis subsp. apicalis Kirby 1889

Rhyothemis phyllis apicalis Kirby, 1889

(Fig. 98)

Libellula phyllis Sulzer, 1776; Rhyothemis snelleni Selys-Longchamps, 1878; Rhyothemis apicalis Kirby, 1889: 319.

Distribution (Fig. 99). Regional endemic subspecies. Ryothemis phyllis, which includes about a dozen subspecies, is widespread in south-east Asia, north-eastern Australia and the western Pacific Islands (Tsuda 2000). The subspecies R. phyllis apicalis is endemic to Vanuatu and New Caledonia where it is recorded from more than 25 localities, in sometimes large populations. One specimen from Nouméa is preserved in the ONNC collection and others collected in 1997 in the municipality of La Foa (Pocquereux valley) and in 2007 in the municipality of Poya (Beaupré) are deposited in the CXMNC collection.

Habitat. This species is encountered in about the same habitats as R. graphiptera and, like this species, avoids ultramafic soil.

Biology and behaviour. This species does not seem particularly territorial. Males seek females flying along banks at the edge of the water. Mating takes place on low vegetation and lasts a few minutes, then the female lays her eggs unaccompanied in areas of dense aquatic vegetation. During a rapid and frenetic flight, she releases her eggs, touching the surface of the water several times.

Status. Ryothemis phyllis apicalis does not appear threatened, we rank it as LC.