Libellula herculea Karsch, 1889

DeMarmels, Jurg, 1992, Dragonflies (Odonata) From The Sierras Of Tapirapeco And Unturan, In The Extreme South Of Venezuela, Acta Biologica Venezuelica 14 (1), pp. 57-78 : 67

Libellula herculea Karsch, 1889

Material. 1♀, reared from antepenultimate instar larva, Base Camp.

Remarks. The larva was found together with many more of the same species, and with larvae of Triacanthagyna dentata in several phytotelmata held by a fallen tree (see above under Microstigma rotundatum for habitat description). An adult male had established its territory around the log and a second male was seen there as well, but none was taken.

It is interesting to note that North of the Orinoco, in the Coastal Cordillera. L. herculea breeds in quiet portions of rocky quebradas (mountain creeks), but also in water-filled crevices of rocks which may be overflown periodically by the quebrada after rainfall. L. herculea is the only Vene. zuelan dragonfly with a definite courtship display, which seems identical to that of Libellula (Belonia) croceipennis Selys , described by Williams (1977). Oviposition behavior is also identical.