Palaiargia rubropunctata

Male : Palaiargia rubropunctata is a robust species from the western Bird’s Head Peninsula. The male has conspicuous red postocular spots, placed transversely and broadly attached to the eye margin. These spots are bordered with dark brown and connected by a fine red line along the occipital ridge. The prothorax and synthorax are mainly dark, with colour pattern generally similar to the type, although the Sorong specimens have a relatively longer abdomen and shorter wings. The abdomen is mostly dark; blue markings on segments 3–7 are smaller than in the type and reduced to paired transverse basal streaks. The anal appendages are slender and resemble those of the type. Female : The female differs strongly from the male in colour and has a shorter abdomen. The head is mostly light greenish-yellow, with diffuse brown postocular spots. The synthorax is marked similarly to the male, but the dark areas are warmer sepia rather than black. The abdomen is short and dark reddish-brown, with clear blue markings, especially on segments 8–9. The genital valves are strong and extend beyond segment 10 for about the length of that segment. The anal appendages are very short, triangular, and directed downward.