New records of Lestes nigriceps Fraser, 1924 (Odonata: Lestidae) from Maharashtra, India, with notes on L. patricia Fraser, 1924 and an updated key to Lestes of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Damselflies of the genus Lestes Leach, 1815 are represented in India by 11 species. Using specimens collected over the last five years, we report on the rediscovery of Lestes nigriceps in India after 98 years, at two new localities in the Western Ghats. This species was observed at the Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai, and in the Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. The diagnosis of the subspecies Lestes patricia taamrpatti Bhakare, Bhoite & Pawar, 2020 is re-assessed, found insufficient for differentiation, and this taxon is synonymized with Lestes patricia Fraser, 1924, as a consequence. We present an updated key to the species of Lestes of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.