Identification Family represented by only one species, Hemiphlebia mirabilis in Victoria.

A very small green damselfy confined to a few known locations including valleys of the Goulburn River around Yea, as well as Cotters Lake at Wilsons Promontory. It is the only Victorian Odonate that is formally protected by State law and is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species .

Note, it is an offence to collect this species without a permit.

The species occurs in areas where there is a network of temporary (ephemeral) and permanent pools with vegetated margins and both emergent and submerged vegetation. Many of the Victorian sites appear to have been lost through their use as livestock watering areas, which results in nutrient enrichment, loss of aquatic plants and destruction of the vegetation where the species lays its eggs. A reasonable population still exists at Cotters Lake, Wilsons Promontory.

There is some anecdotal evidence that it may be found on the wing some distance from waterbodies, so it is worth checking any that look suitable to the north and east of Melbourne. Nonetheless, some authorities report that it is highly sedentary. It has a habit of not flying and due to its small size, can be very hard to locate. 

If you find this species, be sure to get a photograph, make an accurate record of the location and submit a sighting.