Epiophlebia laidlawi, also known as the Himalayan Relict Dragonfly, is one of two species of Epiprocta in the family Epiophlebiidae. They are sometimes grouped as a suborder Anisozygoptera, considered as intermediate between the dragonflies and the damselflies, mainly because of the appearance the hind wings being very similar in size and shape to the forewings and held back over the body at rest as in the damselflies. This species is found in the Eastern Himalayas including Chittrey, Mt. Shivapuri, Kathmandu area, Solokhumbu region, all in Nepal, where it breeds in streams between 6,000 and 11,500 ft (1,800–3,500m). The only other extant species in the genus, Epiophlebia Superstes, is found in Japan. The two species have a similar physical appearance, black body with bright yellow stripes on the thorax and abdomen. E. Laidlawi flies at 3000 to 3650 m and has few predators. Breeding sites at lower altitudes were discovered later.

The larvae grow for five to six years and is believed to be the longest recorded for any odonate. Specimens may emerge after nine years in many cases. The larvae appear like those of the anisoptera but are unable to use the anisopteran jet-propulsion mode of escape but walk.

The adult flight is slow and rather uncoordinated. The discoidal cell in the forewing is uncrossed and foursided and the hindwing the crossvein is long making the cell distally wide. The arculus is situated between the primary antenodals. The male grasps the female behind the head as in the anisoptera. The female is not accompanied during egg laying. She lays eggs into plant tissue while sitting on the stem of a waterside plant. The eggs are laid from bottom to top in a regular zigzag pattern. The preferred plants are usually bryophytes.

Author: Isaiah B.
Published: 3/13

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiophlebia_laidlawi

Picture credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Epiophlebia_laidlawi_by_OpenCage.jpg