Key to Afrotropical Hemicordulia species

1 Fw usually with 8 Ax and 7 Px. Vulvar scale covering less than one third of sternite S9, not reaching paired processes on sternite (Figs 13–14). Ψ occiput only with long pale hairs. Distal third of ď cerci almost parallel-sided, tips abrubtly rounded (Figs 3–4, 8–9). Hw 32–38 mm in ď, 35–39 in Ψ. Mascarene Islands ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

- Fw usually with 7 Ax and 5 Px. Vulvar scale covering over one third of sternite S9, extending over bases of paired processes (Figs 16–17). Ψ occiput with cluster of short thick brown bristles on each side, in addition to long pale hairs. Distal third of ď cerci tapering to a blunt point (Figs 5–6, 10–11). Hw 27–32 mm in ď, 28–33 in Ψ. Africa, Madagascar and Seychelles .................................................................................... 3

2 Yellow anterior to metallic area on frons not visible in dorsal view (perhaps marginally in Ψ). Fore femora predominantly black. Synthorax predominantly metallic green. S6–8 entirely dark. Réunion ..................... ............................................................................................................................................. atrovirens n. sp.

- Yellow anterior to metallic area on frons visible in dorsal view. Fore femora predominantly yellow. Synthorax predominantly yellow. S6–8 dark with yellow lateral spots. Mauritius .................................... virens

3 Yellow anterior to metallic area on frons not visible in dorsal view (perhaps marginally in Ψ). Labrum with two dark blotches at base. Ψ Hw at most yellow to Cux and Ax1, yellow almost absent in Fw. Madagascar and Seychelles .......................................................................................................................... similis

- Yellow anterior to metallic area on frons visible in dorsal view. Labrum all yellow. Ψ Fw and Hw at least yellow to arculus. Continental Africa ..................................................................................... africana n. sp.