[1] Dijkstra et al. (2014) moved the genus (and related Elattoneura) from Protoneuridae to Platycnemididae based on molecular phylogenetic research.

The males have starkly contrasting colours, typically a black body that is striped in blue, red or yellow.

[2] The colour pattern on the male's synthorax (which carries the wings) and tip of his abdomen, in combination with the shape of the four terminal appendages (the cerci and paraprocts, or male claspers for copulation) are useful features when distinguishing species in the genus.

The cerci are generally hammer-like with a pointed apex, while the broad paraprocts taper abruptly towards a rounded tip.

[2] While females are broadly similar to males, details of their well-developed prothorax facilitate separation of species.