Family HEMICORDULIIDAE
Compiler and date details
W.W.K. Houston, Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, ACT, Australia J.A.L. Watson, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, ACT, Australia Updated (1999) by A.A. Calder, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Introduction
The Hemicorduliidae were formerly regarded as a group of Corduliidae by Watson et al. (1991) until recognised as a separate family by Bechly (1996). It is represented in Australia by two genera: Hemicordulia with nine species and Procordulia with two species.
The adults are keyed in Watson et al. (1991) while the larvae of some Hemicordulia and Procordulia species have been described or keyed by Watson (1962) and Allbrook (1979). Hawking & Theischinger (1999) give illustrations and a key to the six species of hemicorduliid larvae found in New South Wales.
Diagnosis
Adult: hypertriangles generally free; 3 crossveins between sctors of arculus basal to fork of Rs in hindwing; bridge crossvein at subnodus; ovipositor short, less than half length of sternite 9; small to medium-sized dragonflies; Australian species of Hemicordulia black, sometimes metallic and bright to dull yellow, Procordulia black and orange-yellow.
General References
Bechly, G. 1996. Morphologische Untersuchungen am Flügelgeäder der rezenten Libellen und deren Stammgruppenvertreter (Insecta; Pterygota; Odonata) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Phylogenetischen Systematik und des Grundplanes der Odonata. Petalura, Special volume 2: 1-402
Hawking, J. & Theischinger, G. 1999. Dragonfly larvae (Odonata). A guide to the identification of larvae of Australian families and to the identification and ecology of larvae from New South Wales. Albury : Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology Vol. 24 iv 218 pp.
Watson, J.A.L., Theischinger, G. & Abbey, H.M. 1991. The Australian Dragonflies. A guide to the identification, distributions and habitats of Australian Odonata. Canberra and Melbourne : CSIRO vii 278 pp.