THE ODONATA AND NEUROPTERA OF THE ISLAND OF SOCOTRA.

Department of Entomology, British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

DURIKGthe period January to May, 1953, Mr. G. Popov collected on Socotra seventy-eight Odonata, representing fifteen species, of which five have not been previously recorded from the island. McLachlan (in Forbes, 1903) listed thirteen species, so that the total now stands at eighteen. Of these, two are believed to be endemic-Enallagma granti (McLachlan) and Ischnura ('2) n. sp. The latter was not described by McLachlan and I have not been able to trace the two examples in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Four species have a wide tropical and subtropical distribution-Ischnura senegalensis Rambur, Pantala Jlav~scens(Fabricius), Trapezostigma limbata (Desjardins) and Hemianax ephippiger (Burmeister)-and are all well-known migrants. Nine species (half the recorded total) are of African origin, although occurring also on the islands in the Indian Ocean, and the remaining three are strongly flying species of Asiatic origin. The present collection thus largely confirms McLachlan's view that there is a strong African element in the dragonfly fauna of Socotra ; indeed, it would be surprising if it were not so, considering the comparative proximity of Socotra to the African mainland. It is interesting to note that this African element is composed entirely of species with a wide distribution on the mainland, and it is probable that all the non-endemic species are reinforced at intervals by immigrants, if indeed some of them are not uurelv visitors. The chleccon of Neuroptera is smaller in numbers, though fairly rich in species. It has unfortunately been necessary to leave five species incompletely determined, because the examples were either defective or few in number. It is possible that some of them may be new but equally may represent one of the numerous species from North and Fast Africa, so inadequately described by NavSs as to be unrecognisable with certainty in the absence of the types. Nevertheless, including these five species the recorded total for Socotra has been raised from four to thirteen. In view of the smaller number of determined species it is more difficult to get an accurate picture of the composition ofthe Neuropterous fauna than in the case of the Odonata, but from the available facts, four of the eight species appear to be endemic-Echthromyrmex insularis sp. n., Neleoma socotranus (Taschenberg), Centroclisis lineata (Kirby) and Croce pusillus (Taschenberg). Of the remaining four species, two are centred on the Mediterranean region and two are African. A.M.N.H. ser. 13, vol. iii. 25 386 D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island List of the Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra. 0 =Previous record. X= Present collection.

ODONATA. Coenagriidae. 1. Ceriagrion glabrum 2. Ischnura senegalensis 3. Ischnura (1) sp. n. 4. Enallagma granti

Libellulidae. 5. Orthetrum sabina 6. 0.chrysostigma 7. Diplacodes lefebvrei 8. Crocothemis erythraea 9. Trithemis arteriosa 10. Zygonyx torrida 11. Pantala Jlavescens 12. Rhyothemis semihyalina 13. Trapezostigma basilaris burmeisteri 14. T. limbata 15. Macrodiplax cora

Gomphidae. 16. Paragomphus genei

Aeshnidae. 17. Anax mauricianus 18. Hemianax ephippiger

NEUROPTERA. Myrmeleontidae. 1. Palpares angustus 2. Echthromyrmex inmdaris 3. Neleoma socotranus 4. Neleoma sp. 5. Neleoma sp. 6. Creoleon mortifer 7. Solter wrgilii 8. Morter alternans 9. Centroclisis lineata D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island 387

Ascalaphidae. 10. Helicomitus sp.

Mantispidae. 11. Sp.

Nemopteridae. 12. Croce pusillus

Chrysopidae. 13. Chrysopa sp.

ODONATA. Zygoptera. Fam. Coenagriidae. Ceriagrion glabrum (Burmeister, 1839). Hadibo, 21 Jan., 1 $ ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 2 6, 1 9. Distribution.-Throughout Africa, Seychelles, Madagascar, Socotra, S.E. Arabia.

Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842). Hadibo, 21, 26 Jan., 2 $ ; Erhima, 5 Apr., 6 $, 3 9. Distribution.-Throughout Africa (except N.W.), neighbouring islands of the Indian Ocean, tropical and subtropical Asia.

Ischnura ('2) sp. n., McLachlan. Distribution.-Socotra. The two examples mentioned by McLachlan (in Forbes, 1903, p. 403) can no longer be traced in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

EnalZagma granti (McLachlan, 1903). Ischnura (2) granti McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 402, pl. 24a, figs. 1-2. Hanifir, 12 Mar., I 8, 1 ; Deneghan, 14 Mar., 1 $ ; Moaddhab 10 Apr., 19. Distribution.-Socotra. This species was placed by McLachlan doubtfully in Ischnura. From its general appearance, unicolorous stigma in $ fore wing and type of anal appendages, I am of the opinion that it should be transferred to the genus Enallagm. 388 D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island

Anisoptera. Pam. Libellulidae. Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770). Hadibo, 20 Jan., 1 $, 24 Feb., 1 $. Distribution.-Australia, New Guinea, E. Indies, Philippines, Asia, Somaliland, Egypt.

Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839). Orthetwm sp. n. (?), McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 401. Hanifii, 12 Mar., 2 $ ; Deneghan, 14 Mar., 1 $ ; Hijama, 2,500 ft., 15 Mar., 1 $ ; Asma, 21 Mar., 1 $ ; Kam, 1 Apr., 1 $ ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 19. Distribution.-Africa.

Diplacodes lefebvrei (Rambur, 1842). Diplacodes Jlavistyla (Rambur), McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 401. Hadibo, 20, 21, 25 Jan., 3 Mar., 5 3, 1 ? ; Asma, 21 Mar., 1 9 ; Hanifii, 30 Mar., 1 $2 ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 9. Distribution.-Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Socotra, Palestine.

Crocothemis erythraea (BrullB, 1832). Hadibo, 20,21 Jan., 2 Feb., 3 $, 1 ? ; Hanifii, 30 Mar., 3 $2 ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 $. Distribution.-Throughout Africa and neighbouring Indian Oceanic Islands, S. Europe and parts of Asia.

Trithemis arteriosa (Burmeister, 1839). Trithemis arteriosa (Burmeister), race distincta (Rambur), McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 400. Hanifii, 12 Mar., 4 8, 1 ; Hadibo, 21 May, 1 $. Distribution.-Throughout Africa, Comoro Is., Socotra, Palestine, Canary Is.

Zygonyx torrida (Kirby, 1889).

Ueneghan,- 13 Mar., 1 8 ; Hanifii, 30 Mar., 1 $ ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 8. Distribution.-Throughout Africa, Comoro Is., Arabia, Palestine, Spain, Canary Is.

Pantala Jlavescens (Fabricius, 1798.) Hadibo, 21 Jan., 1 $ ; Moaddhab, 10 Feb., 1 $ ; Deneghan, 8 Mar., 1 $ ; Hijama, 15 Mar., 1 $. Distribution.-Almost universal in tropics and subtropics. D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island 389

Rhyothemis semihyalina (Desjardins, 1832). Rhyothemis semihyalina (Desjardins), race separata SBlys, McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 399. Hadibo, 28 Feb., 1 $ ; Erhima, 5 Apr., 1 3, 1 9 ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 8. Distribution.-Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Socotra.

Trapexostigma basilaris burmeisteri (Kirby, 1889). Tramea burmeisteri (Kirby), McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 398. Distribution.-Asia, Socotra.

Trapexostigma limbata (Desjardins, 1832). Hadibo, 24 Feb., 30 Mar., 1 $, 1 9 ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 6. Distribution.-Africa, neighbouring Indian Oceanic Islands, S. Asia, Australia, Polynesia. The Socotran examples resemble those from the Seychelles. Macrodiplux Cora (Brauer, 1867). Macrodiplax vittata (Kirby), McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 399. Erhima, 5 Apr., 3 $, 1 9. Distribution.-N. Australia, Samoa, E. Indies, India, Ceylon, Socotra.

Pam. Gomphidae. Paragomphus genei (SBlys, 1841). Deneghan, 14 Mar., 2 $. Distribution.-S. and E. Africa, Abyssinia, Eritrea, Palestine, N. Africa, Sicily. Fam. Aeshnidae. Anax imperator mauricianus (Rambur, 1942). Anax mauricianus Rambur, McLachlan, in Forbes, 1903, p. 401. Hanifil, 30 Mar., 1 $, 1 ; Moaddhab, 10 Apr., 1 3, 4 9. Distribution.-Throughout Africa, and neighbouring Indian Oceanic Islands. Hemianax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839). Distribution.-Africa, neighbouring Indian Oceanic Islands, Palestine, Arabia, Persia, India.

NEUROPTERA. Fam. Myrmeleontidae. Palpares angustus (McLachlan, 1898). Hadibo Plains, 8 Apr., 1 3. Distribution.-Algeria, Tripoli, Egypt, Trans-Jordan, Arabia, Brit: Somaliland. 390 D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island

Echthromyrmex insularis sp. n. Sagal, 19 Mar., 7 $, 7 9. Labrum and clypeus pale yellow, frons dark brown, vertex with a yellow, transverse band anteriorly and with yellow markings on a brown ground. Antenn* yellowish brown. Pronotum mainly dark brown, with a narrow, longitudinal line on each side near lateral margin and other obscure markings yellowish ; rather short and broad, strongly tapered from base to apex. Meso- and meta-nota dark brown, with obscure yellowish markings. Legs pale yellowish, marked with dark brown as follows. Anterior femur with a rounded dorsal spot about midway and a large, more diffuse spot above at apex ; tibize externally with a median and an apical band. Spurs and claws red-brown, spines black and cream. Wings hyaline, broad apically, apical margin of fore wing obtusely rounded, not excised, hind wing with apical angle slightly less than a right angle, very slightly excised. Fore wing with a conspicuous brown patch slightly basad of and behind the pterostigma, extending back about half width of the wing. Beyond it, around the apical margin are numerous small brown spots. Pterostigma cream. Venation brown and white, some of the cross-veins faintly bordered with brownish. Hind wing with its apical third brown, with three large, opaque, whitish marginal spots, at stigma, apex and near posterior basal angle of brown patch. Venation brown and white. Abdomen fuscous, with very obscure yellowish markings. $ anal appendages short, deep and rounded. Ninth sternite short, broad, apical margin slightly excised at its centre. Length of body, $, 26-30 mm., 9,25-28 mm. Length of fore wing, $, 37-39 mm., 9,35-37 mm. Type $, allotype $? and paratypes in British Museum (Nat. Hist.). This species differs from E. pktypterus McLachlan (Persia) in its smaller size, the very definite brown patch in the fore wing and rather less extensive brown patch in hind wing. In E. platypterus the fore wing is rather more uniformly marked with small brown spots.

Neleoma socotrana (Taschenberg, 1883). Myrmecoleon socotmnus Taschenberg, 1883, p. 182. Hadibo, 50 ft., 5-8 Mar., 1 ? ; Hadibo Plains, 8 Apr., 1 ; Deneghan, 3,000 ft., 14 Mar., 2 8 ; Sagal, 2,500 ft., 19 Mar., 2 8. Distribution.-Socotra.

Neleoma sp. 20 miles south of R.A.P. camp, 19 Mar., 1 ? This single example, with apex of abdomen lacking and both right wings damaged, resembles N. pardalice (Banks) from Abyssinia, but differs in the markings of the head and wings. In view of its imperfect condition, it is not proposed to give it a name. D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island 391

Neleoma sp. 20 miles south of R.A.F. Camp, 19 Mar., 1 $ ; Naukad, 23 Mar., 1 $, 1 9. Belonging to the nemausiensis group of species but differing from nemausiensis in having very little fuscous marking on the face below the antennae, no fuscous spots on the abdominal segments and rather narrower wings. The venation is rather denser and the fuscous line of the outer gradate series is interrupted. Creoleon mortifer (Walker, 1853). Creagris mortifer (Walker), Kirby in Forbes, 1903, p. 405. Hadibo, 50 ft., 5-8 Mar., 1 $ ; Hadibo Plains, 8 Apr., 1 9 ; Deneghan, 3,000 ft., 14 Mar., 1 6, 4 9 ; S. Haggier Mts., 20 Mar., 1 9. Distribution.-Natal, Zululand, N.E. Rhodesia, Madagascar, Abyssinia, Socotra. Xolter virgilii (NavQs,193 1). Deneghan, 3,000 ft., 14 Mar., 1 $. Distribution.-Italian Somaliland. Morter alternans (BrullB, 1840). 20 miles south of R.A.F. Camp, 19 Mar., 1 9. Distribution.-Canary Is., Madeira, Algeria, Egypt, Arabia. Centroclisis lineuta (Kirby, 1903). Amnthuclisis lineata Kirby, in Forbes, 1903, p. 404. Hadibo, 50 ft., 5-8 Mar., 1 9 ; Hadibo Plains, 8 Apr., 1 9. Distribution.-Socotra.

Pam. Ascalaphidae. Helicomitus sp. Hijama, 500 ft., 15 Mar., 1 $ (in poor condition). The arrangement of the tuft of silky hairs at the base of the costa of the fore wing suggests that this species is related to festivus (Rambur) or to aethiopicus Kimmins. Fam. Mantispidae. Hijama, 500 ft., 15 Mar., 1 example in poor condition. Fam. Nemopteridae. Croce pusillus (Taschenberg, 1883). Nematoptera pusilla Taschenberg, 1884, p. 183. Distribution.-Socotra. Fam. Chrysopidae. Chrysopa sp. Sagal, 2,500 ft., 19 Mar., 6 examples. 392 D. Kimmins : Odonata and Neuroptera of Socotra Island

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Popov for the opportunity of studying this interesting collection from Socotra, which has added considerably to our knowledge of the fauna. The collection has been presented to the British Museum.

FORBES, H. O., 1903. The Natural History of Sokotra and Abd-el-Kuri. Liverpool and London. TASCHENBERQ,o., 1883. Beitrage zur Fauna Insel Sokotra. Zeitschr. Naturwiss., 58, 182-183. Bibliography of the Neuropterida

Bibliography of the Neuropterida Reference number (r#): 3285

Reference Citation: Kimmins, D. E. 1960 [1961.02.14]. The Odonata and Neuroptera of the Island of Socotra. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (13)3:385-392.

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