Lestoidea is a genus of damselflies in the family Lestoideidae, commonly known as bluestreaks.
The genus is endemic to north-east Queensland, Australia, where its species inhabit rainforest streams.
Species of Lestoidea are medium-sized to large damselflies, dark brown to black in colour, with dull orange, greenish or bluish markings. Most species have a pale spot at the base of each antenna, although this is absent in Lestoidea lewisiana.
Taxonomic history In 1913, Tillyard described the genus Lestoidea based on Lestoidea conjuncta, regarding it as intermediate between the damselfly groups then recognised as Lestes and Protoneura.
For many years Lestoidea was considered to contain only a single species. In 1967, Watson described a second species, Lestoidea barbarae, from north-east Queensland.
In 1996, Günther Theischinger revised the genus and recognised four distinct species, describing Lestoidea brevicauda and Lestoidea lewisiana.
Description Species of Lestoidea inhabit rainforest streams in north-east Queensland, with some species restricted to particular mountain ranges or upland regions.
The genus is distinguished by the elongated pterostigma and by reduced wing venation near the base of the wing. Larvae are relatively flat-bodied and possess sac-like caudal gills.
Species The genus Lestoidea has four species:
Lestoidea barbarae – large bluestreak Lestoidea brevicauda – short-tipped bluestreak Lestoidea conjuncta – common bluestreak Lestoidea lewisiana – Mount Lewis bluestreak
Etymology The genus name Lestoidea is derived from Lestes and the Greek suffix -οειδής (oeidēs, "resembling" or "having the form of"), indicating resemblance to that genus.
See also List of Odonata species of Australia
References