Lathrocordulia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lathrocordulia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Austrocorduliidae
Genus:	Lathrocordulia Tillyard, 1911

The Lathrocordulia is a special group, or genus, of dragonfly. These amazing insects belong to the family Austrocorduliidae. You can only find Lathrocordulia dragonflies in Australia; this means they are endemic to that country.

These dragonflies are usually medium-sized. They have a shiny bronze or black color. Unlike some other dragonflies, they do not have any light-colored patterns on their bodies.

Species of Lathrocordulia

Within the Lathrocordulia group, there are two main types, or species, that scientists have identified:

• Lathrocordulia garrisoni: This species is also known as the Queensland swiftwing. It was named by scientists Theischinger and Watson in 1991.
• Lathrocordulia metallica: This one is called the Western swiftwing. It was first described by Robert John Tillyard in 1911.

Why Scientists Group Dragonflies Differently

Sometimes, scientists have different ideas about how to group animals into families. This is true for Lathrocordulia dragonflies too! Here's why:

• The Australian Faunal Directory believes Lathrocordulia belongs to the Austrocorduliidae family.
• However, the World Odonata List, found at the Slater Museum of Natural History, places it in the Synthemistidae family.
• On Wikispecies, another online resource, it is listed as part of the Corduliidae family.

These different views show how science is always learning! Scientists study the features of these dragonflies to decide which family they fit into best.