Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ecuador

William Haber, Electronic Field Guide Project, University of Massachusetts, Boston

David Wagner, University of Connecticut, Storrs
Introduction References Family Descriptions      

Dicteriadidae -

Heliocharis is the only representative of the Dicteriadidae in Ecuador. One other species in the genus Dicterias lives along the Amazon in eastern Brazil. Heliocharis are large damsels that typically perch with wings open on leaves in sunny spots along streams. The wings have numerous antenodal cross veins, indicating their relationship to Calopterygidae and Polythoridae. The legs are slender and extremely elongate without noticeable spines, and some notable metallic reflectance on the wings and body. The lower abdominal appendages of the male are greatly reduced.

Heliocharis amazona, male Heliocharis amazona, female

Text and images copyright 2014 by William A. Haber, http://efg.cs.umb.edu/
Created: 24 January 2006. Updated: 25 March 2014.