Description of the larva of gynacantha auricularis Martin, 1909 (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

Abstract

The ultimate stadium larva of Gynacantha auricularis is described and illustrated based on exuviae of a male and a female reared larvae from Manaus, Brazil. The larva resembles that of G. gracilis (Burmeister) in having a small lateral spine also on abdominal segment 5, while the prementum morphology and size and distribution and number of palpal setae are similar to those species with lateral spine absent on segment 5. The larvae were found in rainwater pools with abundant leaf litter, in the interior of Amazonian lowland forest. © 2011 Magnolia Press.