The genus Epiophlebia is the sole member of the family Epiophlebiidae, which is itself the sole living representative of the Epiproctan infraorder Epiophlebioptera, and it contains only three species. They are relict species of a once widespread group. The first two species, Epiophlebia superstes and Epiophlebia laidlawi, were historically placed in their own suborder Anisozygoptera, considered intermediate between dragonflies and damselflies, mainly because the hind wings are very similar in size and shape to the forewings and held back over the body at rest, as in damselflies. It has more recently been recognized that the genus Epiophlebia shares a more recent ancestor with dragonflies (having become separated from these in and around the uplifting of the Himalayas), and the group has accordingly been reclassified as an infraorder within the dragonflies. Very recently a third species, Epiophlebia sinensis, have been described from Heilongjiang province in northeast China, bridging the Epiophlebia distribution gap between Nepal and Japan.

The length of Epiophlebia superstes is 45 mm to 53 mm. It has black body with bright yellow stripes on the thorax and abdomen. Epiophlebia superstes is native to Japan and is distributing it in the headwaters widely in Kinki area. The flight period of Epiophlebia superstes in Kinki area is from the end of April to mid June. 

Epiophlebia superstes lays eggs to the plant that is in a higher position than the surface of the water.  The prolarva that hatched repeats a jump and arrive on the water. Until it reaches on the water it does not become a first instar larva. The time of the prolarva is a dozens minute from several minutes. The period of the prolarva is longer than other dragonflies.