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The ultimate larval stadia of Macrothemis declivata, M. hemichlora, M. imitans imitans and M. tenuis are described and illustrated for the first time, based on material from Brazil. Six of the most used keys to larvae of libellulid genera of the New World are evaluated with respect to the correct identification of the 27 known larvae of Macrothemis, Brechmorhoga, Gynothemis and Scapanea. Macrothemis species were wrongly identified in more than 50% of the trials, being keyed as Brechmorhoga, Gynothemis and even Dythemis. The genus Macrothemis and its relatives need to be revaluated and adequately diagnosed based on larvae. A key to the 14 known larvae of species currently included in Macrothemis is presented.

The ultimate stadium larva of Lauromacromia picinguaba Carvalho, Salgado & Werneck-de-Carvalho is described and illustrated based on reared specimens from Picinguaba, Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, some of which belong to the type-series. All material is deposited in the Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro. General notes on larval biology and the breeding habitat are provided. A generic key for South American Corduliidae larvae is appended.

Lauromacromia picinguaba sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on a series composed by a male and four females from Picinguaba, Ubatuba, S o Paulo state, Brazil, all obtained from reared larvae. The type material is deposited in the Museu Nacional and the Instituto de Biologia, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro. This is the first description of a female and the southernmost record for the genus. A key to the genera of Corduliidae occurring in Brazil is appended.