The two species in this genus are found in Eastern North America, one of which reaches Michigan and is rather widespread in the state (Map 1).
These small larvae can be found in sphagnum-bordered bog ponds, bog-lined lakes and marshy bays (Walker and Corbet 1975). Needham and Westfall (1955) write that larvae "inhabit edges of water commonly under overhanging turf and clamber up projecting roots and stumps to transform." Exuviae are usually left on stems or stumps less than a foot above the water (Walker and Corbet 1975). Larvae resemble those of Somatochlora and Cordulia, but the combination of a broad, longitudinal thoracic stripe and abominal hooks differentiates Dorocordulia larvae from those of the other two genera.
Needham, J. G. 1901. Aquatic insects in the Adirondacks. Bulletin of the New York State Museum 47:381-612, 30 pl.
Needham, J. G., and M. J. Westfall, Jr. 1955. A Manual of the Dragonflies of North America (Anisoptera). University of California Press: Berkeley, California. xii + 615 pp.
Selys-Longchamps, M. E. de. 1871. Synopsis des Cordulines. Bulletin de l'Académie royale des Sciences de Belgique (2)31:238-316;519-565.
Walker, E. M., and J. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. 3. University of Toronto Press: Toronto, Ontario. xvi + 308.