Genus notes
Papuathemis is a new genus whose species were previously classified under the genus Diplacina. Based on their distribution in Indonesia, the species currently retained within Diplacina are strictly restricted to Sulawesi, whereas those found in Papua and Maluku have now been transferred to Papuathemis.
The following are the key characteristics to recognize this genera : Small and slender libellulids with relatively long legs. Frons with (often bright) green metallic sheen. Thorax dark with a metallic green gloss and a yellow pattern. Front of thorax without ante-humeral stripes but with the mid-dorsal line yellow and in many species a humeral yellow mark. Side of thorax with an extensive yellow pattern in most species, which is often rather irregular (see Michalski, 2012; Orr & Kalkman, 2015). Abdomen dark with or without a yellow mid-dorsal pattern; in most species the yellow pattern is more prominent on S7 forming a yellow mark. Body never with red or blue markings. Genital lobe small and weakly developed. Anterior lamina large and about as high as the hamule (see Katen et al, 2026). Fore wing with 11–12 antenodal cross-veins; triangle and supertriangle in both Fw and Hw without cross-vein; pterostigma uniform dark brown to black. Anal appendages dark, with upper appendages of simple shape; lower appendage in many species widened at tip and bifid. All species of modest size, abdomen with appendages 18–24 mm, hind wing 21–30 mm.