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Family Cordulidae

With this group we approach the large family Libellulidae, the Cordulidae being distinguished by possessing a single tubercle on the hind border of each eye, and in fact these insects are by most recent authors considered to be simply a subfamily of the Libellulidae, which they resemble in most respects. They are medium sized, or large dragon-flies in which the wings are frequently banded with brown, although in some forms the dark markings occur only at the base of the wings, and some are entirely clear. The body colors may be metallic or sordid. These insects, according to Kellicott, oviposit by flying close to the surface of the water striking the water occasionally with the tip of the abdomen to wash off the eggs.