The Māori name for giant dragonflies, kapokapowai, means "water snatcher", alluding to the water-dwelling juvenile stage (nymph), which, like all dragonflies, has a long extendable jaw that shoots out to snatch prey.

[2] It was described as a separate species in 1921, based on specimens collected at Cass and Arthur's Pass.

[2]This species is found only in New Zealand, in upland and sub-alpine parts of the South Island.

The nymphs tunnel into the soft earth around alpine swamp or seepage in Schoenus tussock grassland.

[3] They occupy a chamber half-filled with water for perhaps 5–6 years, emerging at night to seek prey near the burrow entrance.