Descriptions of the last instar larvae of Neodythemis hildebrandti Karsch and N. afra (Ris) with comments on the status of the genus and subfamily (Anisoptera: Libellulidae, Tetrathemistinae)

The larvae of N. hildebrandti (from Nosy Be, Madagascar) and N. afra (from Mt Kupe, Cameroon) are described, illustrated from exuviae, and compared with the larva of N. (Allorrhizucha) klingi (Karsch) from W Africa. Differences between the larva of Neodythemis and that of other known African Tetrathemistinae genera ( Malgassophlebia, Notiothemis and Tetrathemis) are highlighted, and it is suggested that this provides support for the view that Neodythemis (including Allorrhizucha) and Micromacromia form a natural group, the ‘neodythemistines’, and that they are only distantly related to other genera in the subfamily. This provides additional evidence for the view that Tetrathemistinae is not a phylogenetically homogenous grouping within the Libellulidae.