Hemicordulia fidelis MacLachlan, 1886

(Fig. 54)

Hemicordulia fidelis MacLachlan, 1886: 104 .

Distribution (Fig. 55). Regional endemic. Also found in Vanuatu (Tsuda 2000), this species is widely distributed in New Caledonia, except for the far north, Île des Pins and the Loyalty Islands, which is its type locality. Bigot (1985) collected several specimens in Prony, Touaourou and on Île des Pins. One specimen captured in November 2001 in the Pocquereux valley (La Foa) is held in the CXMNC collection.

Habitat. Hemicordulia fidelis breeds in a large variety of freshwater habitats: swamps, ponds, lakes, large pools in creeks and calm parts of streams and rivers. It avoids steep creeks with low water levels but seems able to tolerate ultramafic soil.

Biology and behaviour. Exuviae are found, sometimes numerous, hanging on bank vegetation up to a height of 2 m. Adults often wander far from water, while males patrol for a long time defending sites from 20–50 m along banks. They are very nervous. Females lay their eggs alone, rapidly touching the water surface a dozen times to release egg clumps with a quick and jerky flight.

Status. We assign H. fidelis to the category LC.