Hemicordulia asiatica (Selys)

Figs 2, 7, 12.

Cordulia (Hemicordulia) asiatica Selys, 1878: 186 (bulletin), 8 (reprint). Holotype ♂ with labels: handwritten “Khasiya Hills [India]”, yellow, printed “Atkinson”, handwritten by Selys “ Hemicordulia asiatica S ♂”, printed and handwritten by Martin “Collection Selys, Hemicordulia asiatica Sel. Type, Révision Martin 1906 Hemicordulia asiatica Sel. ”, printed red and handwritten by Martin “ Type Hemicordulia asiatica Sel. ” (ISNB) [examined].

Hemicordulia asiatica (Selys, 1878) – Kirby (1890: 47).

Further material: INDIA (Karnataka): 1 ď, Coorg, Fraserpet [= Kushalnagar]-Mercara Road, 3000 ft. (= 915 m), 25.v.1923, F.C. Fraser (BMNH). – INDIA (Kerala): 1 Ψ, Mudis Hills, 14.v.1934, F.C. Fraser. – INDIA (Meghalaya): 1 ď, Shillong, 1.ix.1919, Fletcher (BMNH); 1 ď, Shillong, Assam, 10.viii.1928, J. Muller (ISNB). – INDIA (Tamil Nadu): 1 ď, 1 Ψ, Nilgiri Hills, Coonoor, Syms Park, 7–14.v.1921, F.C. Fraser; 5 ď, 2 Ψ, Nilgiri Hills, Ootacamund, 7250 ft (= 2210 m a.s.l.), 18.x.1921 – 18.xi.1922, F.C. Fraser & T.B. Fletcher; 1 ď, Nilgiri Hills, Lovedale Lake, 7250 ft (= 2210 m a.s.l.), 8.x.1922, F.C. Fraser; 1 ď, Nilgiri Hills, date & leg. unknown; 1 ď, 1 Ψ, Palni Hills [= Palani H.], Kodaikanal, Bear Stream, 2.vi.1923, Maj. Frere; 1 ď, Bear Stream, date unknown, F.C. Fraser; 1 ď, Annaimallai Hills [= Anaimalai H.], Varataparai, 7.v.1933, F.C. Fraser; 1 ď, Annaimallai Hills, Varataparai, on hill-side road, iv–v.1934, F.C. Fraser; 1 ď, Annaimallai Hills, date & leg. unknown (BMNH).

Diagnosis. Differs from all other species discussed in the shape of the male cerci (Figs 2, 7) and incision of the vulvar scale (Fig. 12). The greatly restricted yellow on the female wings is also distinctive.

Range and ecology. Known from two disjunct highland areas in the south-west and north-east of the Indian Subcontinent (Prasad & Varshney 1995), ranging into Myanmar (Asahina 1970). The status of Hemicordulia from northern Thailand and Vietnam is unclear relative to the Sundaic H. tenera Lieftinck, 1930 (Asahina 1987; Donnelly 1994; H. Karube pers. comm.). According to Fraser (1936) “the larva breeds in mountain lakes and, less often, in pools in montane streams”. The adult “rarely strays far from its watery habitat and is to be found patrolling the borders of lakes or flying rapidly along open roads and glades on the hillsides above the lakes. The females are rarely seen, and appear to keep to jungle, except for brief intervals when they come to oviposit and then depart again, pairing taking place during these short visits to water.” Fraser (1949) indicated an altitudinal range of 915 to 2300 m in southern India.