The levis group of Orthemis revisited: a synopsis including a synonymy and description of six new species of Orthemis from South America (Odonata: Libellulidae)

The levis and ferruginea groups of Orthemis are redefined. Six new species of Orthemis are described: O. aciculata sp. nov. (male holotype: Surinam, Para Dist., road near forest, Zanderij I (5 degrees 32' N, 55 degrees 10' W), 17 January 1957, leg. J. Belle [RMNH]), O. celata sp. nov. (male holotype: Brazil, Para State, Rio Gurupi, Caninde (0 degrees 30'57 '' S, 51 degrees 14'00 '' W), 27-28 February 1966, leg. B. Malkin [RMNH]), O. faaseni sp. nov. (male holotype: Brazil, Rondonia State, PortoVelho (8 degrees 46' S, 63 degrees 54' W), 28 February 1922, leg. J.H. Williamson & J.W. Strohm [UMMZ]), O. garrisoni sp. nov. (male holotype: Panama, Panama Prov., 7 km NW of Gamboa, Pipeline Road, trail near palm forest, 30 July 1979, leg. RWG& J.A. Garrison [ FSCA]), O. paulsoni sp. nov. (male holotype: Ecuador, Sucumbios Prov., forest trail ca. 3 km W of Shushufindi (0 degrees 09'59 '' N, 76 degrees 41'30 '' W), 14 October 2009, leg. K.J. Tennessen [FSCA]), and O. teres sp. nov. (male holotype: Bolivia, Cochabamba Dept., Chapare, Cristal Mayo (17 degrees 00'57 '' N, 65 degrees 38'09 '' W), October/November 1994, leg. R. Andreas [ FSCA]). Orthemis plaumanni Buchholz is found to be a junior synonym of O. ambinigra Calvert. A lectotype is designated for O. concolor Ris. All species of the levis group and the new species of the ferruginea group described here are diagnosed, illustrated, mapped, and keyed.