Dragon Fly of India

INDIA-A LIFESCAPE
Dragonflies of India
A Field Guide
INDIA-A LIFESCAPE
Dragonflies of India
A Field Guide
K.A.Subramanian
Editor
Madhav Gadgil
VIGYAN PRASAR
Published by
Vigyan Prasar
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Copyright 2009 by Vigyan Prasar

The contents of the publication may be used by students, science communicators and
agencies (Govt. and Non-govt.) for spreading the message of Science with due
acknowledgment.
Dragonflies of India-A Field Guide

Author: K.A.Subramanian
Copy editing: R.Shobana
International Year of Planet Earth - 2008 Publication Series.
Project Conceptualisation & Implementation: B.K. Tyagi
Assisted by: Navneet Gupta
Cover and layout design by: Pradeep Kumar
Production Supervision: Subodh Mahanti and Manish Mohan Gore
Photo Credits: Arif Sidiqqui, David Raju, E. Kunhikrishnan, Ganden Lachungpa, Giby.K,
K.A.Subramanian, K.V.Gururaj, Karthick.B., Kishen Das, Krushnamegh Kunte,
Malikarjuna, D.G, Manoj.P, Natasha Mahatre, Praveen. J, Rafeek. K, Raghu Anand,
Rajaneesh Suvarna, Sameer Ali, Shahil Lateef, Shibu Bhaskar, Shyam Prasad, Sivan, V.V,
Srinidhi, Ullasa.K and Usha Lachungpa.
Map: Sayantan Biswas and Samrat Pawar (2006).
Photo copy right: All photographs are copy righted with the photographers
ISBN : 978-81-7480-192-0
Price: Rs. 125/Printed by: India Offset Press, New Delhi
TABLES
OF
CONTENTS
Publisher's Note ..................................................................................... vii

Foreword ................................................................................................ ix
Preface ................................................................................................... xi
Acknowledgements ................................................................................ xiii
1. Natural History of Dragonflies and Damselflies ............................... 1
2. Studying Odonates ........................................................................ 15
3. Field key to adult dragonflies and damselflies .................................. 17
4. Key to the larvae of dragonflies and damselflies ............................... 21
5. Dragonflies (Anisoptera) ................................................................ 25
a. Club Tails (Gomphidae) ............................................................. 26
b. Darners (Aeshnidae) .................................................................. 35
c. Mountain Hawks (Cordulegasteridae) ........................................ 41
d. Torrent Hawks (Corduliidae) ..................................................... 43
d. Skimmers (Libellulidae) ............................................................. 47
6. Damselflies (Zygoptera) ................................................................. 90
a. Marsh Darts (Coenagrionidae) ................................................... 91
b. Bush Darts (Platycenemididae) ................................................ 107
c. Reed Tails (Platystictidae) ........................................................ 112
d. Bamboo Tails (Protoneuridae) .................................................. 118
e. Spread Wings (Lestidae) .......................................................... 127
f. Giant Spread Wings (Synlestidae) ............................................ 131
g. Glories (Calopterygidae) ......................................................... 133
h. Stream Jewels (Chlorocyphidae) .............................................. 138
i. Torrent Darts (Euphaeidae) .................................................... 146
7. References .................................................................................. 152
8. Glossary of terms ........................................................................ 154
9. Checklist of Indian Draganflies and Damselflies ........................... 156
9. Index to Common Names ............................................................ 165
10. Index to Scientific Names ............................................................ 167
Dedication
Fondly dedicated in memory
of my mentor
Shri.K.S.K.Nathan
Chatur means clever,

Also a dragonfly!
Strong by wings and goddam sly
Born of water, it takes to sky
Foremost of animals
That learnt to fly!
Madhav Gadgil
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
arth is the only planet we know of with life on it. Animals, Plants and
microorganisms maintain a delicate balance with a variety of life forms we
call Biodiversity. Each species depends on other species for its existence. When
we talk of life on earth, we also talk about the human species. If we need to
understand and preserve our environment, we shall need to understand the
interdependence of the species on each other and the importance of natural
resources like air, water and soil for living beings.
Life has continued to evolve on this earth over millions of years adapting to
changing environment. Only those species have survived that have adapted to
the changing environment. This change could be due to natural causes like
earthquakes, eruption of volcanoes, cyclones, and so on. It even could be due to
climate change. However, quite often this change is brought about by the species
higher up in the ladder of evolution that tries to control environment to suit its
needs and for development. This is precisely what human species has done to
our fragile planet.
We need energy for development; which we traditionally obtain by burning
natural resources like firewood, coal and petroleum. This is what we have been
doing for centuries. Today there is consensus that human activities like burning
of fossil fuels and consequent pumping of gases like carbon dioxide into
atmosphere have been responsible for the earth getting hotter and hotter. Today,
there are threats to our planet arising from climate change, degrading
environment, the growing rate of extinction of species, declining availability of
fresh water, rivers running dry before they can reach sea, loss of fertile land due
to degradation, depleting energy sources, incidence of diseases, challenge of
feeding an exponentially growing population, and so on. The human population
is now so large that the amount of resources needed to sustain it exceeds what is
available. Humanitys environmental demand is much more that the earths
biological capacity. This implies that we are living way beyond our means,
consuming much more than what the earth can sustain.
To draw the attention of the world to these aspects and in an attempt to establish
that environment is where we live; and development is what we all do in
attempting to improve our lot, within that abode, the United Nations has declared
the year 2008 as The Year of the Planet Earth. It is hoped that with the
cooperation of all we shall be able to save the biodiversity and the life on this
planet. A host of activities and programmes are being organized all over the
world for this purpose. One of the important aspects is to make people aware
about the challenges we face and the possible solutions to save this planet from
heading towards catastrophe. It is with such thoughts that Vigyan Prasar has
initiated programmes with activities built around the theme The Planet Earth.
The activities comprise of development and production of a series of informative
booklets, radio and television programmes, and CD-ROMs; and training of
resource persons in the country in collaboration with other agencies and
organizations.
It is expected that the present series of publications on the theme The Planet
Earth would be welcomed by science communicators, science clubs, resource
persons, and individuals; and inspire them initiate actions to save this fragile
abode of ours.
Vinay B. Kamble
Director, Vigyan Prasar
New Delhi
FOREWORD
Dragonflies and damselflies are amongst the most attractive of creatures on earth,
the first to have conquered the aerial domain. Yet we know little of their diversity
in India. Indeed most of the species are yet to be described, but they are all
around us, their nymphs key predators in water, the adults, the scourge of gnats
and midges. If we get to know them better, we will surely become more concerned
with their welfare. That, in turn would mean broader support for our efforts to
conserve, and prudently use, Indias rich heritage of biodiversity.
This is the aim of Project Lifescape, and the VP-ARI collaboration, to help Indians
know more of the wealth of life around us. This is in part the function of illustrated
field guides. In addition we hope to suggest scientific problems of interest that
students or amateur naturalists could tackle and contribute to furthering our
understanding of Indian ecology.
With this in view, we have published three books: on butterflies, fishes and
amphibians of peninsular India. Here is the fourth in the series, on dragonflies
and damselflies, being co-published with Vigyan Prasar. This book is the product
of the enthusiasm, interest and energy of a young naturalist,
Dr.K.A.Subramanian. Fortunately, Vigyan Prasar will make this book available
on their website as well. Since the web is becoming more and more accessible,
even in rural India, this web based version should further increase the reach of
the material.
I sincerely hope that this attractive book would reach out to nature lovers, young
and old, all over India, and would be most grateful for any and all manners of
feedback.
Prof. Madhav Gadgil

Editor, Project Lifescape and PI, VP-ARI collaborative programme on
Generation of Resource Material on Biodiversity
Agharkar Research Institute,
Agarkar Road,
Pune 411004
PREFACE
The wings of dragonflies and damselflies (odonates) flag the triumph of insects
over land and air. The ancestors of extant odonates date back to carboniferous
era, about 250 million years ago. Odonates are primarily aquatic insects and
their life history is closely linked to specific aquatic habitats. This habitat specificity
makes them a good indicator of wetland health. India with its unique geography
and diverse bioclimatic regions, support a rich odonate fauna. Thanks to the
work of Fraser, the Indian odonate fauna is well documented in his monumental
work-The Fauna of British India-Odonata (1933-1936). The three volumes of
the fauna describe 536 species and sub-species within Indian region. Though
the Indian odonate fauna is well known taxonomically, natural history and ecology
is documented only of a few species. Even basic facts such as geographic and
seasonal distribution of most of the species are barely known.
This poor documentation of natural history and ecology of odonates is largely
due to non-availability of simple identification guides. The currently available
books are highly technical and inaccessible to students and amateur naturalists.
The consequence of this vacuum is very well reflected in popular natural history
articles and documentaries, where many beautiful odonates are just labeled as
dragonflies or damselflies.
The first effort to popularize dragonfly studies in India was the launching of an
e-book on dragonflies and damselflies of the peninsular India. The e-book was
part of Project Lifescape of Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of
Science and Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore. Online availability of the
book generated much enthusiasm among naturalists and played a crucial role in
the development of an e-mail discussion forum on Indian odonates
(dragonflyindia@yahoogroups.com). The insights and enthusiasm developed
through this group was crucial in the development of the current field guide.
This revised field guide covers species from eastern and western Himalayas and
peninsular India and provides description and photographs of 111 species
belonging to 13 families. Some species are rare and few of them are restricted to
certain habitats or geographic locations.
Odonates are integral part of wetland ecosystems and are reliable indicators of
its health. The field guide is aimed at high school and undergraduate students,
and amateur naturalists. I hope that this illustrated field guide will encourage
students and naturalists to start observing odonates and document their
distribution and natural history in different parts of India. This will surely help
in better documentation of freshwater biodiversity and conservation of our fast
vanishing wetlands.
K.A.Subramanian
Pune
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am grateful to Prof. Madhav Gadgil at the Centre for Ecological Sciences,
IISc, Bangalore, for encouraging and helping me in conducting research on
odonates and publishing the e-book version of the guide through Project
Lifescape of Indian Academy of Sciences. I am grateful to the academy for hosting
the e-book, which provided many insights and feedback from the users and
helped in further developing this guide. This book would not have attained this
shape without the critical reviews of the e-book by Prof.C.A.Virakatamath,
Prof.T.C.Narendran, Prof. K.G.Sivaramakrishnan, Dr. Ranjit Daniels, C.
Radhakrishnan, E. Kunhikrishnan, Dr. Vincent Kalkman, Dr. Keith Wilson,
Nancy Vander Poorten, Michael Vander Porten, Dr. Jaffer Palot, Dr. Emiliyamma,
Dr.Gaurav Sharma, Merry Zacharias and Krushnamegh Kunte. I thank them
all for their valuable comments and suggestions. This guide is enriched with
photographs of odonates by Arif Sidiqqui, David Raju, E. Kunhikrishnan,
Ganden Lachungpa, Giby.K, K.V.Gururaj, Karthick, B., Kishen Das,
Krushnamegh Kunte, Mallikarjuna, D.G., Manoj.P, Natasha Mahatre, Praveen.
J, Rafeek. K, Raghu Anand, Rajaneesh Suvarna, Sameer Ali, Shahil Lateef, Shibu
Bhaskar, Shyam Prasad, Sivan, V.V, Srinidhi, Ullasa.K and Usha Lachungpa. I
sincerely thank them all for their generous contribution of photographs. I thank
my wife Shobana for her meticulous editorial corrections. I also thank
Department of Science and Technology, Govt.of India for supporting my research
on Odonata through DST-SERC Young Scientist Fellowship at CES, IISc. Last
but not least, I thank Vigyan Prasar Privar for encouraging me to write this
guide for the Planet Earth series.
Body Parts of
Dragonflies and Damselflies
NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONFLIES

AND DAMSELFLIES (ODONATA)
INTRODUCTION
ragonflies and damselflies collectively called odonates, are one of

the most common insects flying over forest, fields, meadows, ponds
and rivers. About 6,000 extant species are distributed all over the world.
India is highly diverse with more than 500 known species. Odonata are
one of the ancient orders of insects. It first appeared during the
Carboniferous era, about 250 million years ago along with mayflies
(Ephemeroptera). Odonata of the Carboniferous era consists of giants; for
example Meganeuropsis americana from that era had a wingspan of 71 cm,
almost the span of pigeon. Dragonflies and mayflies are ancient groups of
insects, which amongst others, were the first to develop wings and venture
into air. Dragonflies mastered the art of flying and continue to be the
masters aerobats.
Photo:Manoj.P
Based on morphology, the order Odonata are divided into three groups,
viz. damselflies (Zygoptera), Anisozygoptera and dragonflies (Anisoptera).
The suborder Anisozygoptera is a living fossil with two species of which
Epiophlebia laidlawi is known from Darjeeling. Dragonflies and damselflies
can easily be distinguished in the field (Table 1, Fig.1-6). Although they
differ considerably in morphology, their general life histories are
comparable.
DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE
Photo:K.A.Subramanian
Photo: Natasha Mahatre
Fig 1: A Male Damselfly

(Golden Dartlet)
Fig.3 Body parts of a Dragonfly
Fig. 5 Damselfly larva
Fig 2: A Male Dragonfly

(Pied Paddy Skimmer)
Fig. 4 Body parts of a Damselfly
Fig. 6 Dragonfly larva
NATURAL HISTORY
DRAGONFLIES (ANISOPTERA)
DAMSELFLIES (ZYGOPTERA)
1. Fore wings and hind wings

unequal in size; hind wings
broader at the base than fore
wings.
2. Hind wing broad at base.
3. Wings spread out at rest.
4. Strong agile fliers
1. Fore wings and hind wings

approximately of the same size
and shape.
2. Wings narrow at the base.
3. Wings usually held together
dorsally over thorax and
abdomen.
4. comparatively weak fliers.
LARVAE
LARVAE
1. Stout, robust body.

2. Gills not visible externally.
1. Slender, fragile body

2. Three gills at the end of
abdomen, visible externally.
Table 1: Broad differences between dragonfiles and damselflies

HABITAT
he life history of odonates is closely

linked with water bodies. They use a
wide range of flowing and stagnant water
bodies . Even though most species of
odonates are highly specific to a habitat,
some have adapted to urban areas and make
use of man-made water bodies. Habitat
specificity has an important bearing on the
distribution and ecology of odonates.
Some species use specialized habitats such
as those shown below (Fig 7-11).
Fig.8 Pond
Fig.7 Riffle in streams
Fig. 9 Runs in rivers
Fig. 10 Waterfalls
The species of hill streams tend to be

narrowly distributed when compared
to pool breeders, which are
widespread.
LIFE CYCLE
Eggs
donates lay their eggs (Fig .12)

in a wide range of aquatic
habitats, from damp soil to
waterfalls. Females select the egglaying site mainly by physical
characters such as the length of the
shoreline. Species, breeding in rivers
select either slow flowing or fast
flowing sites depending on the ability
of their larvae to cope with moving
water. It has been observed that long
straight shores of lakes are sometimes
colonised by riverine species. Visual
cues also play an important part in
egg laying. Many pool breeders are
deceived by smooth shining surfaces,
such as bonnets of cars and wet
roads and they often try to lay eggs
in these deceptive sites.
Fig. 11 Cascade in streams
Photo:Shibu Bhaskar
Many dragonflies lay their broad and

elliptical eggs either in flight or by
perching on an overhanging
vegetation or rock. Eggs are laid in
successive batches: a damselfly lays
about 100-400 eggs and dragonflies,
usually about several hundreds to
thousands per batch. Eggs hatch in
5-40 days in the tropics. Eggs of
temperate species may over-winter
and hatch in about 80-230 days. In
many stream dwelling dragonflies
the eggs are invested with gelatinous
substance which expands and
becomes adhesive on contact with
water. This helps the egg from being
carried away far from its habitat by
water current.
Photo:Giby K
NATURAL HISTORY
Damselflies insert their elongate and

cylindrical eggs into a aquatic plant.
Their elaborate ovipositor is serrated
and adapted for making incisions in
the tissues of plants and placing the
Fig. 12 Blue Darner and Blue Grass
eggs in them. Some are generalists
Dartlet laying eggs. Note how the male
and some are specific in their
holds the female while she lays egg.
selection of the plant for egg laying.
Host specific association sometime effectively determines the distribution
of species such as Coenagrion armatum in Britain where it was closely
associated with Hydrocharis morsusrane before it became exinct.
LARVAL
STAGES
he larva is a sophisticated predator (Fig.13). Their cryptic colouration

and keen eyesight make them an effective predator. Larvae are
generally ambush predators, that is they wait for their prey to come close
before striking. But some systematically stalk their prey much like birds of
prey or as tigers do. When they are in the striking range they shoot-out
their formidable jaws which virtually stab the prey (Fig.14).
Fig.13 Damselfly larva

(Malabar Torrent Dart).
Fig. 14 Damselfly larva

(Malabar Torrent Dart)
showing jaw
larvae moult into adults just

before sunrise. The newly
emerged adults are wet and
delicate, and as the day warm
up, they become dry and fit
for their maiden flight.
Some species of the tropics
and warm temperate regions
often complete one or more
generations per year.
They are gluttonous and feed on any

moving and seizable prey including their own
kind. Last instar larvae of bigger species are
known to catch even small fishes, tadpoles
and freshly emerged adults of their own
species. In dragonflies, the inner surface of
the rectum has become foliate and richly
supplied by trachea. These foliations or rectal
gills are the respiratory organs. Pumping
movements of the abdomen continually
renew water in the rectum. In damselflies,
there are foliaceous lamellae at the end of the
abdomen. They are the supplementary
respiratory devices in addition to rectum, in
the body surface and wing sheaths through
which also gaseous exchange occurs.
Some larvae can complete development in
two months. The number of larval instars is
variable within and between species and is
usually 9-15. When they are ready to
moult, stop feeding and crawl up to
emergent vegetation or rock (Fig.15-17).
This usually happens after sunset and the
Photo:Shibu Bhaskar
Fig.15 Emerging dragonfly
STAGE
ewly emerged male and

female odonates leave their
emergence site and inhabit nearby
landscape. Generally males travel
farther than females. Damselflies
complete their maturation period
in about a week or less whereas
dragonfles takes approximately
two weeks. During the maturation
period, sequential changes occur
in the colour of the body and wings.
In a few species maturation period
serves as a resting stage and lasts
about 8-9 months.
FLIGHT
Fig. 16 Emerging damselfly (Malabar

Torrent Dart)
ADULT
Photo:E.Kunhikrishnan
NATURAL HISTORY
Photo: Giby.K
donates surpass all other

groups of insects in their
flying skills. Odonates have
uncoupled wings , that is unlike
moths, butterflies, wasps and bees,
fore and hind wings are unattached
to each other and they beat
independently. The powerful
thoracic muscles help them in long
sustained flight and good
Fig. 17 Larval cases of an aeshnid (top)
maneuverability (Fig.18-19).
and libellulid (bottom)
Odonates can hover and turn 180
while in flight and can fly backwards. Dragonflies are stronger fliers than
damselflies and they can reach a speed up to 25-30 km per hour. The
Photo: Shibu Bhaskar
difference in flying
abilities influences their
dispersal and geographic
distribution. It is
generally observed that
big and powerful fliers
have wider geographic
range than small and
weak fliers do. Some
weak fliers are dispersed
Fig. 18 Dragonfly in flight (Blue Darner)
by wind. For example,
Agriocnemis pygmaea has a weak flight and is dispersed by wind throughout
Asia and Australia.
Like many other organisms, dragonflies also migrate. Generally it is
observed that dragonflies which breed in temporary pools migrate. One of
our most common species, Pantala flavescens migrates immediately after
the monsoons. Large swarms of these dragonflies move through prominent
clearings in the landscapes such as highways and railway tracks. It is not yet
clear how and where they migrate.
FEEDING
dult dragonflies are aerial predators and catch insects like mosquitoes,
midges, butterflies, moths bees and odonates on flight (Fig.20). Most
of the dragonflies are day flying but a few actively hunt during twilight
hours. Darter dragonflies capture their prey by perching at a vantagepoint and making short sallying flights and hawker dragonflies hunt
by flying continuously. In this, they resemble insectivorous birds like
flycatchers and swifts respectively. Large numbers of adults sometime
congregate especially during dawn and dusk near tree canopies to feed on
swarming insects. They feed in
flight, using the legs to capture the
prey and transfer it to the jaws. The
legs are highly specialised for this
purpose, particularly with regard to
its position, relative length,
articulation and complement of
spines.
NATURAL HISTORY
Their vision is well developed as in

butterflies and as far as modern
Anisoptera are concerned, most of
the head is made up of eyes.
REPRODUCTION
Photo:Manoj.P
exually matured dragonflies

return to breeding habitat
from their foraging or roosting
sites. Usually males mature earlier
than females and reach the
breeding habitat first. Mature
males hold territory, but species
may or may not show pronounced
site fidelity. Resident males show
Fig. 20 Damselfly (Senegal Golden
Dartlet) feeding on Pigmy Dartlet.
aggressive behaviour towards
conspecific males, which enter
their territory. Aggressive behaviour may be simple wing warning by
perched males (Fig.21) and a display of the abdomen. More elaborate
aggressive encounters occur in flight, progressing from mutual threat display
to physical fighting.
Photo:Giby.K
Most odonates are sexually dimorphic when they mature. Newly emerged
males and females are similarly coloured. Males acquire bright colouration
as they become sexually mature. Colours and patterns on the wings and
body may play an important role in territoriality and courtship. Courtship
is more evident in
damselflies than in
dragonflies. It ranges from
simple submissive posture
by males towards
approaching females to
elaborate displays where
the male flies towards an
egg laying site and allows
itself to be carried by the
water current for a short
Fig. 21 Territorial display of male damselflies
distance. Competition
(Nilgiri Torrent Dart)
10
over sexually receptive females is very

intense among male odonates.
A receptive female adopts a

characteristic posture towards a
potential male and pairing follows
immediately. The last abdominal
segments of the male have claspers,
which are used to hold the female
by her thorax. The structure of the
female thorax is such that the male
clasper fits exactly into it. This lock
and key mechanism prevents
mating across closely related species.
During copulation or just before
that, the male transfers his sperms
Fig. 22 Mating of Dragonflies
into an accessory genital organ at
(Green Marsh Hawk)
the second abdominal segment (Fig.
22-23). This accessory genitalia is a complicated harpoon-shaped
structure, which can be used to remove sperms from previous couplings
before insemination. Multiple mating in both males and females is
common among odonates.
EGG LAYING
gg laying commences
immediately after copulation. In
many cases, the male continues to
hold the female and flies with her to
an egg-laying site or just
accompanies her. It is usually
observed that territory holding males
accompany females and nonterritory holding males maintain
physical contact with the female
Fig. 23 Mating of Damselflies
while laying egg. Usually during
(Senegal Golden Dartlet)
this period the female is very
vulnerable to the attack by other males. Non-mated males attack the
mated pair and try to hijack the female. Some damselflies lay eggs in
NATURAL HISTORY
submerged plants. In such cases the

hovering male anchors the egg-laying
female (Fig.12).
LONGEVITY
ost of the records of
longevity in nature refer only
to the reproductive period. During
this, most damselflies live up to 8
weeks and dragonflies up to 6 weeks.
If maturation period is included, it
may extend up to 7-9 and 8-10
weeks, respectively. It is known that
aestivating spread wings (Lestidae)
can live much longer as adults.
Photo:Manoj.P
Fig. 24 A robber fly feeding

Dragonflies encounter a large
on Pied Paddy Skimmer
number of predators throughout
their life. Fishes are important
predators during the larval stage. Birds such as Hobby (Falco
subbuteo),Bee-eaters (Merops sp.), Kingfishers, Herons and
Terns have been observed to feed on odonates. Large dragonflies,
robberflies (Asilidae)(Fig. 24) and spiders are important invertebrate
predators. Small Hymenoptera belonging to the families Mymaridae,
Eulophidae and Trichogrammatidae parasitise eggs of damselflies.
Parasitizing females climb or swim beneath the water to search for the eggs
in the submerged plants. Many migrating species are intermediate hosts of
avian trematode parasites like Prosthogonimus. During mass emergence of
these species, aquatic birds such as sandpipers, terns, gulls and herons feed
on them. This predation forms an important link in the transfer
metacercariae and cysts of the parasite.
Larval stages of water mite (Hydrachnidia) parasitise odonates. For

example, Arrenurus cupidator is a common ectoparasite of coenagrionid
damselflies. The mite larvae infest the final instar host larvae . The larvae
briefly feed on the host larvae and when the adult damselfly emerges, the
mite larvae get attached to the adult host (Fig.25). Mite larvae pierces the
host body and starts feeding. The larvae detach only when the host comes
11
12
back to water for egg laying. The

detached mite larvae complete two
more larval stages as predator before
moulting into an adult.
HUMAN
SIGNIFICANCE
donates, being predators

both at larval and adult
stages, play a significant role in the
Fig. 25 Damselfly female (Golden Dartlet) wetland ecosystem. Adult odonates
infested with mites
feed on mosquitoes, blackflies and
other blood-sucking flies and act as an important biocontrol agent of these
harmful insects. In the urban areas of Thailand, larvae of the container
breeding dragonfly, Granite ghost (Bradinopyga geminata) (Fig. 26) was
successfully used to control Aedes mosquito, an important vector of the
dengue and Chikungunya fever .
Many species of odonates inhabiting
in agro ecosystems play a crucial role
in controlling insect pest populations.
BIO
INDICATORS
n addition to the direct role of

predators in ecosystem, their
value as indicators of quality of the
Fig. 26 The Granite Ghost is very efficient biotope is now being increasingly
recognised. For example, in South
in urban mosquito control
Africa it has been shown how species
assemblages of dragonflies change with levels of human disturbance.
Dragonflies found at undisturbed habitats with good riparian vegetation were
specialists with narrow distribution. On the other hand, species recorded at
industrial land or urban areas with disturbed riparian vegetation were
generalists with wide habitat preference and distribution. These studies also
show that dragonflies are sensitive not only to the quality of the wetland but
also to the major landscape changes, especially changes in the riparian zone.
Recent studies on dragonfly ecology from Western Ghats indicate families like
Bambootails, Reedtails, Glories, Torrent darts, Torrent Hawks and Clubtails
are good indicators of health of riverine ecosystem.
13
CONSERVATION
NATURAL HISTORY
hough the Indian

odonate fauna is well
described in terms of adult
taxonomy, their ecology is
poorly known. Larval stages
of only 76 Indian species
are known and the full life
history is documented for
only 15 species. A good
Fig.27 Presence of damselflies such as Malabar
understanding of larval
Torrent
Dart indicates unpolluted hill streams.
ecology is crucial for
odonate conservation. The
paucity of ecological information is a serious lacuna when designing any
conservation measure. The impact of landscape changes going on since last
fifty years or so in India on dragonfly distribution and status is not known.
This can be tackled only by fresh field surveys to know the threat status and
distribution of many species. Future studies on dragonflies may be directed to
have a comprehensive understanding of their ecology and their value as a
biomonitoring tool. There is no comprehensive account of Indian odonates
after Frasers fauna volumes published during 1930s. Recent assessment by
IUCN Red Data Books
(International Union for
Conservation of Nature, 2004) lists
Burmagomphus sivalikensis,
Cephalaeschna acutifrons and
Epiophlebia laidlawi as threatened
Indian odonates. All the three
species are restricted to North East
India. However a large number of
endemic odonates are threatened
due to large scale habitat
destruction.
Fig. 28 Myrisitca Bamboo Tail
For example, Myristica Bambootail

(Fig. 28) the monotypic damselfly
of the Western Ghats is restricted to
Myristica swamps of evergreen
14
forests (Fig. 29). The swamps are very

restricted geographically within the
ghats. The swamps are being drained
in an unprecedented scale for
agriculture expansion, especially for
the arecanut plantations. Draining of
the swamps have caused irreversable
damage to the breeding habitat of
this species.
The case of Myristica Bambootail is

only one example. Many Indian
odonates are endemic and most of
them are restricted to the riverine
ecosystem. Large scale habitat
alterations such as damming,
channel diversion, sand mining and
pollution is seriously threatening the
survival of these species. Long term
Fig. 29 A myristica swamp, the habitat of
conservation of odonates and other
Myristica Bambootail
freshwater biota can only be assured
through appropriate national level policy interventions and definite
freshwater biodiversity conservation programmes.
15
STUDYING DRAGONFLIES
AND DAMSELFLIES
WHY
STUDY DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES
ragonflies and damselflies are amongst the prominent and colourful

insects in tropical landscapes. In addition to providing aesthetic
pleasure, studying them could give us valuable insights about ecosystem
health, especially of wetland. Being very specific about breeding habitat,
odonates are sensitive indicators of the health of wetland and its landscape.
Odonates are also very good subjects in study of behaviour, ecology and
biogeography.
WHERE
TO WATCH
donates are found in a diverse habitat. However, their diversity and

abundance vary with the habitat. Best place to see various odonate
species and their behaviour is near freshwater bodies such as ponds, tanks,
streams and rivers where there is good sunlight.
WHEN TO WATCH
est time to watch odonates is during midday. They are most active
during this time. Some species are crepuscular or nocturnal. It is very
difficult to locate and observe them in low light conditions.Many of our
odonate species are seasonal and their emergence and breeding coincide
with the monsoon. So most of our odonate species can be observed
between May-November.
HOW TO WATCH
ost of the odonates can be observed at very close range. Flying

odonates or odonates perched in inaccessible areas can be observed
through binoculars. Due to their sensitive eye, odonates get easily disturbed
with bright coloured objects. So it is better to wear dull coloured clothing
and cap, especially when photographing.
16
IDENTIFYING
ODONATES
large number of odonate species can be identified without collecting

them. However, females and young adults are difficult to identify in
the field. Most of the damselflies can be collected by hand. For collecting
dragonflies, a butterfly net with dark coloured clothing is the best.
Odonates are very delicate insects and they get easily killed while handling,
especially when they are held by abdomen or the thorax. So, while
handling odonates avoid holding by abdomen or t he thorax. The wings
are relatively tough and odonates can be held by wings belween fingers for
a short time. A detailed sketch of the live insect with colour and patterns is
very important for accurate identification. An example from field notes on
Euphaea dispar is given in figure 31.
Fig.31. Sample of a field note book for recording information on odonate species
17
Field Key to Adult Dragonflies

and Damselflies
Key to Groups (Sub orders)
1. Hind wings broader than the
forewings; abdomen stout; the wings
are held perpendicular to the
body........Dragonflies
(Anisoptera).................I(Page-25).
2. Fore and hind wings narrowed at
base; similar in size and shape;
abdomen slender; usually the wings
are kept closed over the
body.........................Damselflies
(Zygoptera)..................II(Page-90).
Dragonflies
Damselflies
1
I. Key to Dragonfly Families

(Anisoptera)
Eyes separated or meeting only at a

point........................................................1.
Eyes broadly touch each other on
face.............2.
(1)
1a. Large sized dragonflies; black or
dark brown marked with yellow; large
eyes slightly separated or meeting at a
point; cylindrical abdomen swollen at
base...........Mountain Hawks
(Cordulegasteridae) (Page-41).
1b. Yellow or blackdragonflies,
marked with yellow or green; never
iridescent; eyes well separated; wings
moderately broad and never coloured;
abdomen often bulbous at the
end...............Club Tails
(Gomphidae) (Page-26).
Mountain Hawks
Head front view
Club Tails
Head front view
18
(2)
Bulbous eyes with a wavy projection
at the middle of posterior
border..............2a.
Torrent Hawks
Eyes without a wavy projection at the

middle of posterior
border....................2b.
Head side view
Darners
Head front view
Skimmers
Head front view
2a. Thorax coloured iridescent green

or blue marked with bright yellow;
abdomen cylindrical or compressed in
females; frequents forested
streams.Torrent Hawks
(Corduliidae) (Page-43).
2b.1. Large sized dragonflies with
non-iridescent colour; wings long and
moderately broad; abdomen as long as
or longer than the wings, tumid at
base, often constricted at 3rd segment;
found in diverse habitats; often
crepuscular............. Darners
(Aeshnidae) (Page-35).
2b.2. Brightly coloured dragonflies,
rarely iridescent; sexes are highly
dimorphic; abdomen variable in
shape; found in diverse
habitats...............Skimmers
(Libellulidae) (Page-46).
II. Key to Damselfly Families

(Zygoptera)
Damselflies with wings and body
iridescent or non-iridescent
colouration in males; restricted to
forested streams........... 1.
Glories
Head front view
Damselflies with wings and body non

iridescent colouration in males;
found in diverse aquatic
habitats.............2.
FIELD KEY TO ADULT DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES
A. BODY OR WINGS WITH

IRIDESCENT COLOURATION OR
MARKINGS
(1) a. Large iridescent green

damselflies with broad wings; wings
are iridescent green or with blue
sheen; often tipped with black
.............Glories (Calopterygidae)
(Page-133).
(1) b.Small damselflies with large
bulbous eyes; mouth parts project
like a snout in front of face;
abdomen shorter than wings; opaque
hind wings of males with iridescent
streaks......................Stream
Jewels (Chlorocyphidae) (Page-138).
(1) c.Large damselflies; fore wings are
broad and taper towards the tip;
hind wing short and rounded in
some; wings uniformly amber
coloured; where hind wings are
shorter than the fore wings, they
tipped with deep blue on underside
and iridescent red on the upper
side............................. Torrent
Darts (Euphaeidae) (Page-146).
Stream Jewels
Head front view
Torrent Darts
Head front
view
Reed Tails
Head front view
Bamboo Tails
B. BODY OR WINGS WITHOUT

IRIDESCENT COLORATION OR
MARKINGS
(1) d. Black or brown damselflies
with white or rarely reddish or blue
markings; narrow wings abruptly
bend at the apex; abdomen about
twice the size of hind wing
...................Reedtails
(Platystictidae) (Page-112).
Head front view
Marsh Darts
Head front view
19
20
(1) e. Damselflies usually coloured with

black with blue markings, rarely with
red, yellow or iridescent; wings pointed
or rounded at apex, rarely tipped or
barred with black; abdomen never
twice the length of the
wing................Bambootails
(Protoneuridae) (Page-118).
Bush Darts
Head front view
(2) a. Damselflies with non-iridescent

or rarely iridescent body; wings narrow
and rounded at apex; transparent wings
are rarely coloured; found in diverse
aquatic habitats........................ Marsh
Darts (Coenagrionidae) (Page-91).
Spread Wings
Head front view
SIZE
DRAGONFLY
DAMSELFLY FAMILIES
RANGE OF
Family
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Clubtails
Mountain Hawks
Darners
Torrent Hawks
Skimmers
Damselflies
1. Glories
2. Stream Jewels
3. Torrent Darts
4. Reedtails
5. Bambootails
6. Marsh Darts
7. Bush Darts
8. Spreadwings
AND
Category
Dragonflies
Small to Large
Large
Large
Medium to Large
Small to Large
Large
Small
Large
Medium to Large
Small to Large
Small to Medium
Medium
Small to Medium
2) b. Black damselflies marked with

blue, red, yellow or rarely iridescent;
narrow transparent wings are rounded
at the apex; abdomen moderately long
and never twice the length of the hind
wing; found in bushes near aquatic
habitats.........Bush Darts
(Platycnemididae) (Page-107).
(2) c. Damselflies with iridescent or
non iridescent markings on head, body
and abdomen; transparent wings nearly
kept wide open while resting; found in
diverse habitats .............Spreadwings
and Giant Spreadwings (Lestidae) and
Synlestidae (Page-127, 131).
SIZE CATEGORIES OF
DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES
Category
1. Small
2. Medium
3. Large
Length of
Abdomen (mm)
10-25mm
26-40mm
>40mm
21
KEY TO THE LARVAE OF

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES
1.Abdomen short and stout, caudal
gills absent and terminating in five
short spine-like
processes..Dragonflies
(Anisoptera)-I
Dragonfly Larva
Damselfly Larva
2.Abdomen long and slender and

terminating in three (rarely two) leaf
or sac like caudal gills
Damselflies (Zygoptera)-II
Labium Flat
Labium Scoop Shaped
Clubtails
Body Parts of Damselfly Larva
I. DRAGONFLIES (ANISOPTERA)
Prementum and palpal lobes of
labium
flat..........................................1
Larva
Labium
Darners
Prementum and palpal lobes of

labium scoop or spoon
shaped....................................................2
1a.Antennae four-segmented, 3rd
segment enlarged and fourth
vestigial.......Clubtails
(Gomphidae)
Antenna
Larva
Antenna
Labium
22
Mountain Hawks
Torrent Hawks
Skimmers
1b.Antennae six or seven segmented

and filamentous..............
Darners (Aeshnidae)
2a.Body elongate and covered with

bristles or tufts of setae, labium with
large irregular teeth.......................
Mountain Hawks (Cordulegasteridae)
2b.Hind femur does not extend

beyond abdominal segment VIII,
labium with small
teeth.............Torrent Hawks
and Skimmers (Corduliidae and
Libellulidae)
Labium
Caudal Gills of Damselfly Larva
II. DAMSELFLIES (ZYGOPTERA)

Two forceps like caudal
gills...................................1
Stream Jewels
Labium
Three leaf, blade or sac like caudal

gills........................................2
Torrent Darts
Labium
1a.Two forceps like caudal gills,

which are triangular in cross
section............Stream Jewels
(Chlorocyphidae)
2a.Filamentous gills on the underside

of abdominal segments II-VIII,
caudal gills are sac like.
Torrent Darts (Euphaeidae)
KEY TO
THE
Without filamentous gills on

abdominal segments IIVIII.....................3
3a.First antennal segment longer than

the combined length of other
segments; body slender and long,
caudal gills blade like with a distinct
dorsal ridge...Glories
(Calopterygidae)
23
LARVAE
Glories
Antenna
Spread Wings
First antennal segment similar to

other segments.....................4
Labium
4a.Labium distinctly spoon shaped

and strongly tapered posteriorly with
large sharp teeth...............Spread
Wings ( Lestidae)
Labium quadrate or more or less

triangular in shape, but not spoon
shaped; with movable hooks or spines
at the tip.........................5
5a.Pale and lanky larvae with large

bulbous eyes, labium with single
spine and one movable
hook.Reedtails
(Platystictidae)
Reedtails
Labium
24
5b. Gills clearly divided into a

thickened dark proximal part and a
thin, paler distal
part........Bambootails
(Protoneuridae)
Bambootails
Bush Darts
Gills not divided into proximal and

distal parts......................6
6a.Caudal gills long, about same

length as the abdomen, apices
pointed or tapering, third segment of
antenna longer than the
second.......................Bush Darts
(Platycnemididae)
Marsh Darts
Head and Antenna
Labium
6b.Caudal gills shorter than the

abdomen, with rounded apices third
segment of antenna shorter than
second....Marsh Darts
(Coenagrionidae)
25
DRAGONFLIES (ANISOPTERA)
Clubtails
(Gomphidae)-Page 26
Torrent Hawks
(Cordulidae)- Page: 43
Darners
(Aeshnidae) - Page: 35
Skimmers
(Libellulidae) - Page 47
Mountain Hawks
(Cordulegasteridae) - Page 41
26
CLUBTAILS
(FAMILY: GOMPHIDAE)
lubtails are large or medium sized dragonflies. They are generally

black or yellow and marked with yellow or green. The eyes are well
separated and large. The wings are transparent. The last abdominal
segments of many species are bulbous, giving a club shaped appearance.
Clubtails are very diverse family with 919 species distributed throughout
the world. Indian fauna is represented by 90 species with 27 peninsular
Indian species. ClubTails inhabit diverse aquatic habitats and many of
them breed in streams and rivers.
Common Clubtail
27
CLUBTAILS (GOMPHIDAE)
1. SHIVALIK CLUBTAIL
(ANISOGOMPHUS OCCIPITALIS)
Photo:Samir Ali
Size: Male: Abdomen: 53mm, Hind wing: 30mm. Female: Abdomen: 33mm,
Hind wing: 32mm
Description: A black and yellow dragonfly with two T-shaped marks on
the back of the thorax. Male: Face: Black marked with bright yellow or
greenish yellow spots. Eyes: Bottle green. Thorax: Black with bright yellow
stripes on sides. Two T-shaped marks on the back of the thorax. Legs:
Shivalik Clubtail
Black, inner side of anterior femora yellow. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Dark reddish brown and elongated.Abdomen: Black with yellow markings.
Second segment has a trilobed mid dorsal stripe and third segment with a
baso-lateral triangular spot. Segments 4-7 has yellow mid dorsal stripe.
Segments 8-10 are unmarked and dilated. Female: Is similar to male and
more vividly coloured. Habits and Habitat: Usually found perched on
riparian vegetation of streams. Breeding: Breeds in hill streams. Flight season:
June-August. Distribution: Within Indian limits, the species is known from
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam. The distribution
extends from Nepal in north to Bangladesh in south east.
2. SYRANDIRI CLUBTAIL
(DAVIDIOIDES MARTINI)
Photo:K.A. Subramanian
Size: Male: Abdomen:

38mm. Hind wing: 33mm
Description: A medium
sized black and yellow
dragonfly without a
clubtail. Only males are
known. Male: Eyes:
Emerald green above.
Thorax: Black, with
yellow interrupted collar
anteriorly and two oblique
yellow spots below the
collar. A narrow yellow
line laterally and under
side is yellow. Legs: Black. Femora of front and middle pair yellow on the
innerside. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Blackish brown. Abdomen:
Black. The first segment is marked with yellow on the dorsal side and
laterally. Dorsal spot on the second segment is perpendicular to the spot on
the first. The 3rd to 7th segments have yellow basal rings and terminal
segments are
unmarked. Habits
and Habitat: Not
much is known about
this elusive species.
Flight season: MayJune. Distribution:
Endemic to Western
Ghats. Known from
South of Coorg in
Aralam WLS, Silent
Valley NP,
Edamalayar and
Syrandiri Clubtail
Agasthyamalai.
28
29
Scan:K.A.Subramanian

52mm, Hind wing:
40mm. Female:
Abdomen: 50mm, Hind
wing: 42-44mm
Description: Male: Eyes:
Bluish grey. Thorax:
Black marked with
yellow. Collar complete
with oblique dorsal spots.
Dorsal side of the thorax
has a large yellow central spot. The lateral stripes are yellowish green. Legs:
Black. First two basal segments of leg yellow. Inner surface of the forelegs
has a yellow stripe. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen:
Black, marked with yellow. Dorsal stripe and lateral spot on segment 1 and
2 confluent. Basal half of segment 3 is yellow. Segments 4-6 have large
dorsal basal spots. Basal half of segments 7 and 8 are yellow. A black wing
like projection present in segment 8. Female: The female is very similar to
the male. The yellow markings are more extensive. Abdomen stouter,
laterally compressed and short. Habits and Habitat: This common
dragonfly usually perches on a
bare twig facing the water.
Commonly found in ponds,
tanks and rivers. Breeding:
Breeds both in running and
still waters; more frequently
in the latter. Pairing takes
place over water. Female
deposits eggs by quick dipping
abdomen over water. Flight
season: Throughout the year.
Distribution: Throughout
Oriental region.
Common Clubtail
3. COMMON CLUBTAIL
(ICTINOGOMPHUS RAPAX)
4. SHIVA CLAWTAIL
(ONYCHOGOMPHUS BIFORCEPS)
41mm, Hind wing:
32mm.
Description: A black
and yellow dragonfly
with bright bottle
green eyes and
prominent claw like
anal appendages.
Male: Face: Dark
brown marked with
bright yellow spots.
Eyes: Bottle green.
Shiva Clawtial
Thorax: Black with
greenish yellow V
shaped marks on the back of the thorax. The arms of V though
convergent, do not join at the base. Sides of the thorax have greenish yellow
stripes. Legs: Black with outer side of mid hind femora greenish yellow.
Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black and elongated. Abdomen: Black with
bright yellow spots. First two segments have two large yellow spots on the
sides and back. Basal yellow ring of segments 3-6 finely divided. These
segments also have an oval spot in the middle of the segment. Basal half of
the seventh segment is yellow and 8th and 9th segment has basal yellow
spots. Anal appendages are huge and claw like with dorsal yellow and
ventral black branches. Female: Is similar to the male with large yellow
spots in the abdomen. Habits and Habitat: Usually found perched on
riparian vegetation and boulders of streams and rivers. Breeding: Breeds in
streams and rivers. During mating, male holds the female by the back of
her head and face with the anal appendages. Flight season: May-October.
Distribution: The species is known from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
and Assam.
Photo:K.V.Gururaj
30
5. NILGIRI CLAWTAIL
(ONYCHOGOMPHUS NILGIRIENSIS)
Photo:Giby.K
Size: Male: Abdomen: 36-41mm,

Hind wing: 30-34mm. Female:
Abdomen: 36mm, Hind wing:
33mm.
Description: A black and yellow
dragonfly with bright bottle green
eyes and prominent claw like anal
appendages. Male: Face: Black
marked with bright yellow spots.
Eyes: Bottle green. Thorax: Black
with greenish yellow inverted T shaped and oblique marks on the back
of the thorax. Sides of the thorax have two broad greenish yellow stripes
and a yellow spot at the base of hind wing. Legs: Black without markings.
Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black and elongated. Abdomen: Black with
bright yellow spots. First two segments have two yellow spots on the sides
and second segment has dorsal longitudinal stripe on the back. The basal
yellow ring of 3rd segment is deeply divided. Segments 4-6 have a pair of
triangular spot at the base. Basal half of the seventh segment is yellow and
8th segment has basal yellow spot. Ninth and tenth segments are
unmarked. Anal appendages are huge and claw like with dorsal yellow and
ventral black branches. Female: Is similar to the male with transparent
brown tinted wings. Habits and Habitat: Usually found perched on
riparian vegetation and boulders of second and third order streams and
rivers. Frequently sits on boulders of streams like the green marsh hawk
(Orthetrum sabina). Breeding:
Breeds in streams and rivers. During
mating, male holds the female by
the back of her head and face with
the anal appendages. Flight season:
April-June. Distribution: Known
from Dakshin Kannada, Coorg,
Wayanad, Nilgiris, Anamalai, Palani
and Travancore hills.
Nilgiri Clawtail
31
6. GANGA CLAWTAIL
(ONYCHOGOMPHUS RISI)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 45mm, Hind wing: 36mm. Female: Abdomen: 45 mm,
Hind wing: 38mm.
Description: A black and yellow dragonfly with bright bottle green eyes
and prominent claw like anal appendages. Male: Face: Black marked with
greenish yellow markings. Eyes: Bottle green. Thorax: Black with yellow
dorsal stripes and narrowly interrupted collar. Sides of the thorax have two
broad bright yellow stripes. Legs: Black with outer side of posterior femora
yellow. Wings:
Transparent.
Wing spot: Black
and elongated.
Abdomen: Tumid
at base with sides
of first and
second segment
yellow. The
segments 3-6
have basal yellow
ring, which is
divided mid
dorsally. Basal
half of the 7th
segment is yellow
and remaining
segments
Ganga Clawtail mating
unmarked.
Female: Is similar
to the male in markings and colouration. Habits and Habitat: Usually
found perched on riparian vegetation and boulders of streams and rivers.
Breeding: Breeds in streams and rivers. During mating, male holds the
female by the back of her head and face with the anal appendages. Flight
season: May-October. Distribution: The species is known from Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam.
Photo:Rajneesh Suvarna
32
33
7. DECCAN BOWTAIL
(MACROGOMPHUS ANNULATUS)
Photo:Shyam Prasad
Size: Male: Abdomen: 53mm, Hind wing: 30mm. Female: Abdomen: 33mm,
Hind wing: 32mm
Description: A large black and yellow dragonfly with bright bottle
green eyes. Male: Face: Black marked with bright yellow spots. Eyes:
Bottle green. Thorax: Black with two broad bright yellow stripes on
sides. Two hockey stick shaped marks on the back of the thorax. Legs:
Black, first two basal segments with large yellow spots. Wings:
Transparent.
Wing spot: Dark
brownish black.
Abdomen: Black
with yellow
rings at the base
of the segments.
Basal half of the
seventh segment
is yellow and
8th and 9th
segment has
basal yellow
triangular spots.
Ninth segment
is the longest.
Female: Is
similar to the
Deccan Bowtail
male and more
extensively
coloured. The ninth abdominal segment is longer and tenth shorter
than that of male. Habits and Habitat: Usually found perched on
riparian vegetation of streams and rivers. Breeding: Breeds in streams
and rivers. Flight season: June-October. Distribution: South of Pune
(Maharashtra) on the eastern side of the Western Ghats.
8. COMMON HOOKTAIL
(PARAGOMPHUS LINEATUS)
Photo:Shyam Prasad

32-37mm, Hind wing:
24-27mm. Female:
Abdomen: 31-36mm,
Hind wing: 24-27mm.
Description: A yellow
dragonfly with black
and brown markings,
and bluish grey eyes.
Male: Face: Pale yellow.
Eyes: Bluish grey.
Thorax: Yellow with a
brown X shaped and
an oblique mark on the back of the thorax. Sides of the thorax have three
parallel brown stripes. Legs: Yellow with black markings. Wings:
Transparent with yellowish white costa, which extends up to the wing spot.
Wing spot: Pale reddish brown. Abdomen: Segments 1-7 have yellow with
black apical rings and remaining segments are sandy brown. Eighth and
ninth segments have lateral oar like expansions. There is considerable
individual variation in the colouration of terminal abdominal segments.
Female: Is similar to the male and less brightly coloured and without the
lateral expansions of 8th
and 9th abdominal
segments. Habits and
Habitat: Commonly
found near streams, rivers,
ponds and lakes.
Breeding: Breeds in
streams, rivers, ponds and
lakes. Flight season:
Found throughout the
year. Distribution: The
species is found
Common Oartail
throughout India.
Photo:David Raju
34
35
DARNERS
(FAMILY: AESHNIDAE)
Rusty Darner
arners are large

or medium sized,
non-iridescent
coloured dragonflies.
Eyes meet broadly
overhead. The wings
are transparent and
species like the Bluetailed Green Darner
(Anax guttatus) have
amber coloured
hindwing patches. The
abdomen is longer
than the wings and
often tumid at the
base. Most of the
darners inhabit
Blue-tailed Green Darner
marshes, ponds and

lakes. Most of the
species are diurnal.
However a few species
like the Parakeet
Darner (Gynacantha
bayadera) are
crepuscular. Darners
have cosmopolitan
distribution and 412
species are known
world wide. Within
Indian region 42
species are known, of
which 8 species are
found in peninsular
India.
36
9. RUSTY DARNER
(ANACIAESCHNA JASPIDEA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 4348mm, Hind wing: 41-46mm.

Female: Abdomen: 43-46mm,
Hind wing: 41-43mm
Description: Male: Eyes: Bluish
grey above, pale yellow below.
Thorax: Reddish brown with
two broad greenish yellow
stripes on each side. Legs:
Black, femora dark reddish
brown. Wings: Transparent,
suffused with pale amberyellow. Wing spot: Bright ochreous. Abdomen: Reddish brown. A large
squarish pale yellow spot is present on each side of first segment and second
segment glistening pearly white. Second segment is azure blue dorsally and
laterally. The blue and white from the second segment continues to the third
segment, which has a pair of dorsal apical yellow spots. Segments 4-7 are rusty
with yellow lateral bands and segment 8 is with a pale spot on lateral and
dorsal sides. The 9th and 10th segments are darker with dorsal pale apical
spots. Female: Very similar to male. Habits and habitat: A crepuscular
species. Flies during dawn
and dusk and frequently
comes to light at night. This
species is common in
marshes surrounded by
woodland. It is seen upto an
altitude of 2200m ASL in
the Western Ghats. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes. Flight
season: Common during
August-November.
Rusty Darner
the Oriental region.
37
DARNERS (AESHNIDAE)
10. BLUE-TAILED GREEN DARNER

(ANAX GUTTATUS)
PK
hA
oS:utm
b
a.rnanai
Photo:Krushnamegh Kunte

Hind wing: 52-54mm.
Description: Male: Face golden
yellow to bright greenish yellow.
Eyes: Blue with yellow and black
behind. Thorax: Pale green. Legs:
Black. Outer and inner surfaces
of anterior femora is yellow.
Wings: Transparent. Hindwing
with large amber yellow patch. Wing spot: Long narrow and reddish.
Abdomen: The first and second segment is pale green; however the second
segment is turquoise blue dorsally. The third segment green with a pair of
dorsal triangular turquoise blue spots. This is flanked by a pair of anterior and
posterior bright orange spots. The segments 4-7 has 3 pairs of bright orange
spots. In segments 8 and 9 two pairs of orange spots are confluent and
segment 10 is entirely yellow. Female: The female is similar to the male in
most respects. However, the hindwing often lack the amber patch. The
turquoise blue of second segment is broken into four square patches. The
orange spots of the abdomen are more confluent. Habits and habitat: A
diurnal species, which occasionally,
comes to light at night. Usually seen
perched on bare twigs and makes
frequent sallies to catch insects such
as small butterflies and dragonflies.
This dragonfly is very common near
marshes, ponds and big wells.
Breeding: Breeds in marshes. Flight
season: May-November.
Distribution: Throughout the
Oriental region and occurs up to an
altitude of 1800m (ASL) in the
Blue-tailed Green Darner
Western Ghats.
11. BLUE DARNER

(ANAX IMMACULIFRONS)
Photo:Sahil Latheef
Size: Male: Abdomen: 5255mm, Hind wing:

55mm. Female:
Abdomen: 56mm, Hind
wing: 58-60mm.
Description: Male: Face
is uniform pale green.
Eyes: Sapphire blue.
Thorax: Thorax is pale
bluish green dorsally
and turquoise blue
laterally with two black
stripes. Legs: Black.
Wings: Transparent and tinted with amber yellow from base to tip. Wing
spot: Reddish brown. Abdomen: The first segment is black and the 2nd
segment is turquoise blue with a black bird in flight dorsal mark. The
segments 3-8 is broadly turquoise blue at its base and have black apical
half. The segment 9 is black and 10th segment is black or brown on
dorsum. Female: Is very similar to male but the turquoise blue is replaced
by greenish yellow
and black by dark
reddish brown.
Habits and habitat:
Frequents slow
flowing streams.
Breeding: Breeds in
hill streams. Female
inserts eggs into a
submerged water
plant. Flight season:
Not known.
Distribution:
Oriental region.
Blue Darner: Male above and female below
Photo: Giby.K
38
39
DARNERS (AESHNIDAE)
12. PARAKEET DARNER

(GYNACANTHA BAYADERA)

46mm, Hind wing: 44mm.
Female: Abdomen: 45mm,
Hind wing: 43-45mm.
Description: A large green
dragonfly. Male: Face is
pale olive green. Eyes: Eyes
are deep blue to blue grey
above which fade to
yellowish green below.
Thorax: Bright grass green.
Legs: Yellowish brown.
Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: Bright olive.
Abdomen: Pale brown to
reddish brown above.
Segments 1-3 are grass
green on the sides.
Female: Very similar to the male, however, the segments 8-10 are
reddish brown. Habits and habitat: Frequents reed covered ponds and
tanks. A crepuscular
insect, often visiting
light immediately
after the rains.
Breeding: Breeds in
reed covered ponds
and tanks. Flight
season: Throughout
the year.
Distribution:
Oriental region.
Parakeet Darner
40
13. BROWN DARNER

(GYNACANTHA DRAVIDA)
Photo:Kishen Das

50-58mm, Hind wing:
43-50. Female:
Abdomen: 48-55mm,
Hind wing: 44-50mm
is olivaceous brown
with a broad black Tshaped mark on the
upper surface. Eyes:.
Olivaceous.Thorax:
Brown. Legs: Reddish
brown. Wings:
Transparent and
lightly tinted with
reddish brown throughout. Wing spot: Reddish brown. Abdomen: Pale
reddish brown. The third segment is constricted. Apical half of the first
segment is black above. Segments 3-8 have dark brown triangular
markings above and
remaining segments are
pale brown. Female: Is
similar to the male but
markings are duller. Habits
and habitat: A crepuscular
dragonfly. Common around
weed covered ponds and
tanks. Occasionally this
dragonfly comes to light at
night. Breeding: Breeds in
weed covered ponds and
tanks. Flight season: JuneNovember. Distribution:
Brown Darner
Oriental region.
41
MOUNTAIN HAWKS
(FAMILY: CORDULEGASTERIDAE)
ountain Hawks are large black or dark brown dragonflies with bright
yellow markings. The eyes are large and they are moderately separated
or meet at a point. The wings are transparent or tinte d with golden yellow.
The abdomen is cylindrical in both sexes or compressed in females. Mountain
Hawks are forest species and they fly high above the tree canopy. Species of
Nilgiri Mountain Hawk
this family have cosmopolitan distribution and they breed in torrential

streams. World over 82 species are known, of which 22 species are recorded
from the Indian region. In the Western Ghats, only two species are found and
they are restricted to the higher altitudes (>1800m) of Nilgiris and
Anaimalais.
42
14. NILGIRI MOUNTAIN HAWK

(CHLOROGOMPHUS CAMPIONI)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 53mm, Hind wing: 45mm. Female: Abdomen:

52-55mm, Hind wing: 50mm
Description: A large black and yellow dragonfly with amber coloured
wings. Male: Eyes: Eyes are moderately separated and emerald green in
colour. Thorax: Black with three oblique bright yellow stripes. Underside is
black. Legs: Black with basal segments and outer side of anterior femora
yellow. Wings: Transparent with tips dark brown. Wing spot: Black and
narrow. Abdomen: Black with yellow markings. The first segment has a
small dorsal
spot. Second
segment has a
complete
yellow apical
ring and a pair
of dorsal
crescent
marks.
Segments 4-7
with narrow
paired dorsal
yellow crescent
marks and the
remaining
segments are
Nilgiri Mountain Hawk
black. Female:
The colour
and markings of body very similar to male. Wings: Transparent and tinted
with rich golden yellow. The wing tips are diffusely tipped with blackishbrown. Habits and habitat: Confined to high altitude forests. Usually soars
above forest canopies descending occasionally to forest clearings. Breeding:
Breeds in torrential streams. Flight season: April-September. Distribution:
Restricted to the Western Ghats above 1200m in the region between
Nilgiris and Coorg.
43
TORRENT HAWKS
(FAMILY: CORDULIIDAE)
Photos:Giby.K
orrent hawks are large or medium sized metallic green or blue

dragonflies marked with bright yellow. Eyes are broadly contiguous.
Male and female are similar in appearence.The females of genera such as
Idionyx (dagger heads) have prominant structure in between the eyes. The
legs are long and spidery. The family has world wide distribution with 468
recorded species of which 35 species are known within Indian limits. Most of
the species are restricted to montane regions and breed in torrential streams.
One or two species are found in plains and they breed in marshes and lakes.
Recent studies have shown that genera such as Macromia, Epophthalmia
etc.are phylogenetically distinct to assign a separate family-Macromiidae.
Coorg Torrent Hawk. Inset:Face of Coorg Torrent Hawk
44
15. TULU DAGGERHEAD

(IDIONYX GALEATA)
Photos:Giby.K
Size: Male: Abdomen: 35mm, Hind

wing: 35mm. Female: Abdomen:
37mm, Hind wing:37mm.
Description: A medium sized black
and metallic green dragonfly.
Females with a dagger like
projection in between the eyes. Male:
Face: Metallic green. Eyes: Bottle
green. Thorax: Glossy metallic black
green with two bright yellow stripes at
the lower end. Thorax is covered with
fine golden hairs dorsally. Legs: Black
and yellow. Wings: Transparent and uniformly enfumed. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Black with borders of second segment yellow ventrally. Anal
appendages black. Female: General markings and colouration similar to male.
However, it has characteristic dagger shaped structure in between the eyes.
Wings are transparent and uniformly
enfumed with amber coloured base.
Habits and Habitat: Usually found
flying over torrent streams and open
forest patches on mountain tops. They
fly in short circles close to ground
during early mornings and late
evenings. Breeding: Breeds in streams.
Female lays egg between cobles without
an accompanying male. Four to five
females lay egg together on the same
spot. Flight season: April-May.
Distribution: Endemic to the Western
Ghats in Dakshinakannda, Coorg,
Wayanad and Nilgiris.
Female Tulu Daggerhead
TORRENT HAWKS (CORDULIDAE)
16. COORG TORRENT HAWK

(MACROMIA ELLISONI)
Photos:Giby.K
Size: Male: Abdomen: 49-52mm, Hind wing: 47-48mm. Female: Abdomen:

54-56mm, Hind wing:53-59mm.
Description: A large black dragonfly with bottle green eyes and yellow
markings. Male: Face: Reddish brown. Eyes: Bottle green. Thorax: Glossy
metallic black green
with bright yellow
backwardly pointed
dorsal stripe. The
broad lateral yellow
stripe above hind legs
meets the stripe on
the other side
between roots of the
wings. Legs: Black.
Wings: Transparent or
sometimes lightly
brownish. Wing spot:
Blackish brown.
Female Coorg Torrent Hawk
Abdomen: Black with
yellow paired mid dorsal spots. Basal half of the seventh segment is yellow.
Segment 8th & 9th are with paired ventral spots and 10th segment is
unmarked. Female: Is similar to male. Habits and Habitat: Usually found
flying over torrent streams and waterfalls flowing through evergreen forests.
Extremely fast dragonfly and difficult to photograph or catch. Breeding:
Breeds in streams. Female lays egg between cobles without an accompanying
male. Flight season: April-May. Distribution: Endemic to the Western Ghats
in Coorg, Wayanad and Nilgiris.
Note: Recent studies consider Macromia, Epophthalmia and other related
genera as a separate family-Macromiidae. However, this field guide follows the
classification scheme of Davis and Tobin (1984, 1985) and, Prasad and
Varshney (1995) and treats these genera as part of Corduliidae.
45
46
SKIMMERS
(FAMILY: LIBELLULIDAE)
Photo:Giby.K
kimmers are
the most
diverse group of
odonates. They are
large, medium or
small dragonflies
and noniridecently
coloured. Eyes are
always broadly
confluent. The
wings vary in size,
shape, width and
Fulvous Forest Skimmer - male
colouration. This
family has
worldwide distribution and is represented by 1139 species. They breed in
wide variety of aquatic habitats like puddles, ponds, marshes, rivers, domestic
storage tanks and aquaria. Within Indian limits, 95 species are known, of
which 50 species are found in the peninsular India.
47
17. TRUMPET TAIL

(ACISOMA PANORPOIDES)
Photo: Praveen.J
Photo: Praveen.J

15-18mm, Hind wing:
16-21mm.Female:
Abdomen: 15-18mm,
Hind wing: 17-22mm
Description: A small
blue dragonfly with
bluged abdomen. Male:
Face is pale blue. Eyes:.
Blue, glossy brown
spotted with black
behind. Thorax: Azure
blue, marbled with black. Legs: Black, femora striped with yellow. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Pale yellow. Abdomen: Azure blue in colour.
Abdomen from segments 1-5 widely dilated and abruptly slim and
cylindrical from segments 6-10. The underside of segments 1-5 have
broad black border. Dorsal black stripe broadens at apical borders of
segments. The segment 3-5 are with large lateral spots. The segments 6-10
are black, however 6th and 7th segments have a large spot of azure blue.
Female: Very similar to the male. Habits and habitat: A species closely
associated with water.
Commonly found
among reeds in ponds
and tanks. The species
has a very weak and
short flight. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes
associated with tanks
and ponds. Flight
season: Not known.
Distribution: Widely
distributed throughout
Trumpet Tail
48
18. SCARLET MARSH HAWK

(AETHRIAMANTA BREVIPENNIS)
Photo: Manoj.P
Photo:Shibu Bhaskar
Size: Male: Abdomen: 1720mm. Hind wing: 23-26mm.

Hind wing: 23mm.
dragonfly with black thorax
and scarlet or yellow
abdomen. Male: The face is
covered with short and stiff
black hairs. Eyes: Dark
reddish brown paler towards lateral and undersides. Thorax: Dark chocolate
brown above, which pales to golden olivaceous-brown on sides. Legs: Black.
Hind femora marked with bright blood-red spot. Wings: Transparent and
tinted with deep golden amber at base. In the hind wings the amber tint
encircles a black opaque area. The venation within this region are bright
golden yellow. Wing spot: Blackish brown. Abdomen: Bright red contrasting
with blackish thorax. Female: Eyes: Dark reddish brown. Thorax: Goldenolivaceous above and paler sides. Legs: Black. The red spot on hind femora of
male is replaced by bright yellow. Wings: Very similar to the male, but
opaque black basal spot usually small. Wing spot: Greyish white. Abdomen:
Golden olivaceous with dorsal black triangular or rhomboidal markings.
Habits and habitat: Found in
weed covered ponds, tanks and
ditches. They have adapted to
urban environment and could
be seen in garden ponds in
cities. Breeding: Breeds in weed
covered ponds and tanks. Flight
season: May-October.
distributed in the Western
Ghats, North eastern India and
Scarlet Marsh Hawk Sri Lanka.
male above and female below
49
SKIMMERS (LIBELLULIDAE)
19. RUFOUS-BACKED MARSH HAWK

(BRACHYDIPLAX CHALYBEA)
Photots: Praveen.J
Photots: Praveen.J
Size: Male: Abdomen: 2125mm, Hind wing: 2630mm. Female:

Abdomen: 21-23mm,
Hind wing: 27-29mm.
black and ochre coloured
dragonfly with dense
bluish white
pruinescence on thorax
and abdomen. Male:
Face: Ochre and metallic
blue-green. Forehead is iridescent metallic blue. Eyes: Coffee brown
above and pale yellow below. Thorax: Rusty brown latteraly with
dorsal bluish white pruniscence. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent with
brown base. Wing spot: Yellow with black border. Abdomen: Black
with sides of segments 1-3 are ferruginous. Segments 1-7 have bluish
white dorsal pruinescence and remaining segments are entirely black.
Female: The thorax is ochreous and wing base is palely tinted with
yellow. Abdomen is
ochreous instead of bluish
white pruinescence.
Habits and Habitat:
Commonly found in
marshes, ponds and rivers.
Breeding: Breeds in
marshes and other similar
habitats. Flight season: Not
known. Distribution:
Found in Western Ghats,
Eastern India, extending to
Malaysia, Borneo, Celebes
and Sumatra.
Rufous-backed Marsh Hawk
20. LITTLE BLUE MARSH HAWK

(BRACHYDIPLAX SOBRINA)
Photo:David Raju

16-22mm, Hind wing: 2226mm.
Description: A small black
dragonfly with dense bluish
white pruinescence on
thorax and abdomen.
Male: Face: Yellowish white
and black with metallic
blue-green forehead. Eyes:
Coffee brown above and
pale yellow below. Thorax:
Dark brown with dorsal
bluish white pruniscence.
Legs: Black. Wings:
Transparent with brown base. Wing spot: Yellow with black border.
Abdomen: Black with bluish white dorsal pruinescence on segments 1-7
and remaining segments are fully black. Female: The thorax is bright
yellow with glossy black markings. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found
in marshes, ponds
and rivers. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes
and other similar
habitats. Flight
season: Not known.
Distribution: Found
in Peninsular India,
Eastern India and
extend to Myanmar
in east and Sri Lanka
in south.
Photo:Raghu Anand
50
Little Blue Marsh Hawk
51
21. DITCH JEWEL

(BRACHYTHEMIS CONTAMINATA)
Male above and female below
Size: Male: Abdomen: 18-21mm, Hind

wing: 20-23mm. Female: Abdomen:
18-20mm, Hind wing: 22-25mm.
Description: Male: Face is olivaceous.
Eyes: Olivaceous brown above bluish
grey below. Thorax: Olivaceous brown
to reddish brown above with two
reddish brown lateral stripes. Legs:
Dark brown in colour. Wings:
Transparent with reddish venation. A
broad bright orange patch extending
from wing base to wing spot is present
in fore and hind wings. Wing spot:
Rusty. Abdomen: Bright red. Female:
Face is yellowish white. Eyes: Pale brown above and bluish grey below.
Thorax: Pale greenish-yellow, with a narrow brown middorsal stripe. A
dark brown lateral stripe is also present. Legs: Similar to that of the males.
Wings: Transparent. The bright orange wing patches of males absent. The
hindwing tinted with yellow at the base. Wing spot: Rusty. Abdomen: Pale
olivaceous-brown with a black middorsal stripe. In segments 2-6 a
subdorsal brown stripe borders the
middorsal stripe, enclosing a yellow
area.
Habits and Habitat: A dragonfly of
polluted waters. This species is very
common along sewage canals, tanks,
ponds and ditches. Flies very close
to the ground and perches on
aquatic weeds. Breeding: Breeds in
ponds, marshes and tanks. Flight
Distribution: Widely distributed in
Ditch Jewel the plains of Oriental region.
52

Abdomen: 26-29mm, Hind wing:
32-36mm
Description: A medium sized grey
dragonfly with black and white
markings. Male: Eyes: Brown
above, pale greyish beneath.
Thorax: Grey thorax is marbled
and peppered with black and light
grey. Legs: Grey. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Black in the center and white at both the ends.
Abdomen: Is coloured very similar to the thorax. Female: Is very similar to the
male. Habits and Habitat: This species is usually seen perched on compound
stone walls, boulders etc. It easily merges with such perching sites because of
its colouration, extremely alert species, quite impossible to catch with bare
hands. The species is commonly found near rock pools and other similar
small water collections. It is common in the urban landscapes and breeds in
overhead tanks and garden ponds. In aquaria larvae tend to destroy fish
hatchlings. After
sunset it comes for
roosting to the
same locality day
after day.
Breeding: Breeds
in small water
collections such as
rock pools,
overhead tanks etc.
Flight season:
Throughout the
year. Distribution:
Oriental region.
Granite Ghost
22. GRANITE GHOST

(BRADINOPYGA GEMINATA)
53
Size: Male: Abdomen: 3032mm, Hind wing: 3538mm.Female: Abdomen:

sized cream yellow dragonfly
with iridescent green
thoracic stripes. Male: Frons
creamy white in front,
iridescent blue or green
above. Eyes: Dark reddish brown above, which fades to pale blue below.
Thorax: Cream yellow with lateral iridescent stripes. Legs: Black on outer
surface and yellow on inner surface. Wings: Transparent and tips
occasionally brown. In adults wings are smoky brown. Wing spot:
Yellowish white and long. Abdomen: Black with broad middorsal and
subdorsal yellow stripe. Female: Very similar to the male. Habits and
habitat: Large number of these dragonflies can be seen perched on forest
understory, often in association with Fulvous Forest Skimmer. Sunlit forest
paths and canopy gaps are preferred locations for this species. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes associated with hill streams. Flight season: MayNovember. Distribution: Forested areas of Oriental region.
23. EMERALD-BANDED SKIMMER

(CRATILLA LINEATA)
Emerald-banded Skimmer
54
24. RUDDY MARSH SKIMMER

(CROCOTHEMIS SERVILIA)
Photo:Kishan Das
Size:Male: Abdomen: 2425mm, Hind wing: 2738mm. Female: Abdomen

25-32mm:, Hind wing: 3137mm.
sized blood red or reddish
yellow dragonfly with
amber coloured patch at
wing base. Male: Face is
blood red. Eyes: Blood red
above, purple on the sides.
Thorax: Blood red to bright orange. Legs: Reddish. Wings: Transparent
base marked with rich amber. Wing spot: Dark brown. Abdomen:
Blood red. Female: Face is pale yellow. Eyes:. Eyes are brown above
and olivaceous below. Thorax: Dark brown. Legs: Dark brown. Wings:
Transparent and basal amber marking paler than in the males. Wing
spot: Pale yellow. Abdomen: Yellowish brown with a mid dorsal black
stripe. Habits and habitat: One of the commonest red dragonflies.
Frequently found in ponds, puddles, rivers, big wells, tanks, ditches
and paddy fields. This
dragonfly perches on
aquatic weeds and
chases any passing by
dragonflies. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes
associated with ponds,
rivers and tanks. Flight
season: Throughout the
year. Distribution:
Widely distributed in
Oriental and Australian
RuddyMarsh Skimmer - Male above and
region.
female below
55
25. BLACK GROUND SKIMMER

(DIPLACODES LEFEBVREI)
Photo:Mallikarjuna.D.G

Description: A small black dragonfly with smoky brown wing tips. Male:
Face: Black, forehead is dark iridescent violet. Eyes: Coffee brown above
and violaceous below. Thorax: Black. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent and
clouded with black brown towards the tip. Base of hind wings have
blackish brown markings. Wing spot: Brown above, white beneath.
Abdomen: Black. Female: Adult females are similar to males, but with
Black Ground Skimmer
some pale markings on the face. Sub adults are coloured with yellow and
black markings on thorax and abdomen. The wings of females are more
palely coloured and the black area of hind wings in males is replaced by
rich amber yellow. Habits and Habitat: Found in marshes, and weedy
ponds. Breeding: Breeds in marshes and other similar habitats. Flight
season: Not known. Distribution: Distributed in Western and southern
India, and Eastern Africa.
26. BLACKTIPPED GROUND SKIMMER

(DIPLACODES NEBULOSA)
Description: A small greenish yellow and black dragonfly with black
tipped transparent wings. Male: Face: Brown marked with yellow. Forehead
is metallic violet. Eyes: Coffee brown above and grayish yellow below.
Photo:Praveen.J
56
Blacktipped Ground Skimmer
Thorax: In adults, thorax is black. In sub adults it is black with yellow

stripes. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent with black tips on all the four
wings. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Black in adults and black with yellow
stripes in subadults. Female: Similar to sub adult males in markings and
colouration. Habits and Habitat: Found in marshes and weedy ponds.
Breeding: Breeds in marshes and other similar habitats. Flight season: Not
known. Distribution: Distributed in Western Ghats, Eastern India and Sri
Lanka and extend to Java and Australia in south. Though widespread, the
species is not found every where, it is locally common in some localities.
57
27. GROUND SKIMMER

(DIPLACODES TRIVIALIS)

Hind wing: 22-23mm.Female:
22-24mm
Description: A small greenish
yellow or blue dragonfly with black
markings. Male: Face is pale azure
blue. Eyes: Reddish brown above
and pale bluish or yellowish below.
Thorax: Greenish yellow or
olivaceous. The dorso-lateral area is
violet brown and is speckled with
minute dots. In old adults the
thorax is covered with fine blue
pruinescence. Legs: Greenish yellow
marked with black. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Dark grey to black.
Abdomen: The segments 1-7 greenish yellow with middorsal and subdorsal
black stripes. Remaining segments black. In old individuals all markings
are obscured by fine blue pruinescence. Female: Resemble young or sub
adult male. Abdominal markings are broader and continued on to
segments 8-10. The 10th segment and anal appendages are completely
yellow. Habits and habitat: One of the commonest dragonflies in gardens,
fields, playgrounds, etc.
This dragonfly usually
perches on the ground and
rarely flies above 1m.
Breeding: Breeds in muddy
puddles, tanks and pond
edges. Flight season:
Throughout the year.
Oriental region and Pacific
islands.
Ground Skimmer
28. RUBYTAILED HAWKLET

(EPITHEMIS MARIAE)
Description: A small dragonfly with ruby coloured segments at the base of
the abdomen in males. Male: Face: Chalky white and metallic blue green.
Eyes: Coffee brown above, bluish grey below. Thorax: Coffee brown above
and on sides, which gradually fades to yellowish. Faint yellow stripes on
sides may be visible in some specimens. Legs: Black. Inner side of anterior
Photo:Manoj.P
58
Rubytailed Hawklet mating
femora is yellow. Wings: Transparent, wing base tinted with amber-yellow.

Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen: Black with basal 1-3 segments
ruby red. Anal appendages black. Female: Marked with golden yellow and
black. Basal abdominal segments are bright yellow instead of ruby. Habits
and Habitat: Found closely associated with forested marshes, especially in
Myristica swamps. They occur in small colonies. Breeding: Breeds in
forested marsh lands. Flight season: June-October. Distribution: Endemic
to the Western Ghats south of Dakshinakannada.
59
29. AMBERWINGED MARSH GLIDER

(HYDROBASILEUS CROCEUS)
Photo:Manoj.P

Description: A Large rusty dragonfly with transparent rusty wings. Male:
Face: Bright golden ochreous. Eyes: Reddish brown above and yellowish
laterally and below. Thorax: Rich olivaceous with golden reddish brown.
Legs: Ochreous. Wings: Transparent and tinted with uniform burned
Amberwinged Marsh Glider
brown. Hind wing along the posterior border has a broad dark reddish
brown wavy mark. Wing spot: Rusty brown above, bright ochreous
beneath. Abdomen: Olivaceous changing to reddish or ochreous towards
the end. Abdominal segments are finely bordered with black. Segments 4-9
have dorsal black wedge shaped spots and the 10th segment is black.
Female: Is similar to male but the abdomen is stouter. Habits and Habitat:
Found in marshes, and weedy ponds. Breeding: Breeds in marshes and
other similar habitats. Flight season: Not known. Distribution: Found in
Western Ghats, Eastern India, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, extending up to
Philippines in the east. The species is very local but common where ever it
occurs.
30. BLUE HAWKLET

(HYLAEOTHEMIS FRUHSTORFERI)
Photo:David Raju

24-26mm, Hind wing:
29-33mm
turquoise blue and black
dragonfly associated
with forested marsh
lands. Male: Face: Pale
greenish yellow with
iridescent metallic blue
forehead. Eyes: Sapphire blue above, yellowish green beneath. Thorax:
Black with turquoise blue dorsal and lateral stripes. Legs: Black. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen: Black with lateral
turquoise blue spots. The 7th segment has paired broad turquoise blue
dorsal spots and segments 810 are black. Female: Similar
to male, but more robust and
turquoise blue markings are
replaced by greenish yellow
colour. Habits and Habitat:
Usually found perched in
sunlit patches of marshes
associated with hill streams.
They occur in small colonies.
Breeding: Breeds in marshes
associated with hill streams.
Flight season: MayNovember.Distribution:
Restricted to south of
Uttarakannada in the Western
Ghats, Orissa and Sri Lanka .
Blue Hawklet-Male above and female below
Photo: Krushnamegh Kunte
60
61
31. ASIATIC BLOOD TAIL

(LATHRECISTA ASIATICA)

27-32mm, Hind wing:
33-37mm.Female:
Abdomen: 27-32mm,
Hind wing: 34-36mm .
Description: A
medium sized dark
brown dragonfly with
blood red tail. Male:
Face is yellow below and upper surface of frons is steel black or iridescent
blue black. Eyes: Eyes are broadly confluent. The upper surface is brown
and lower surface is bluish grey. Thorax: Dark coppery- brown above and
bright yellow on sides. In subadults, the upper surface is coppery brown
with two parallel yellow stripes. A narrow lateral yellow stripe extends to
mid leg. In addition to this, two black lateral Y shaped markings are
present. Legs: Dark reddish brown to black. The anterior femora is yellow
on inner side. Wings: Transparent with smoky brown tips. Wing spot:
Reddish brown. Abdomen: The segments 1-2 with a broad lateral and fine
mid dorsal yellow stripe. In older individuals these markings covered by fine
bluish white pruinescence. The segments 3-8 are bright crimson red and
segments at the tip are black. Female: Resemble males, however the abdomen
is rich olivaceous brown. A
middorsal greenish yellow
stripe is present, which is
bordered with black lateral
stripes. Habits and habitat:
This shy dragonfly is found
in ponds, tanks and marshes.
When disturbed, it flies very
rapidly. Breeding: Breeds in
marshes associated with
ponds and tanks. Flight
season: Not known.
Asiatic Blood Tail - Male above and female below Distribution:Oriental region.
62
32. FULVOUS FOREST SKIMMER

(NEUROTHEMIS FULVIA)
Photo:Kishan Das
Photo:Srinidhi
Size: Male: Abdomen: 21-26mm, Hind

wing: 27-32mm.Female: Abdomen: 2024mm, Hind wing: 26-32mm
Description: A medium sized rusty
coloured dragonfly with transparent
wing tips. Male: Face is reddish
brown. Eyes: Dark reddish brown
above, golden brown below. Thorax:
Reddish brown. Legs: Dark reddish
brown. Wings: Opaque dark reddish
brown with an irregular triangular
transparent area at the tip of the
wing. Wing spot: Dark reddish
brown. Abdomen: Reddish brown.
Female: Many forms of females are found. Colour of head, thorax and
abdomen paler than males or rusty brown. Wings are clear amber yellow with
a dark ray extending to the tip in fore wing. Habits and habitat: A dragonfly
of wet forests. Usually perches on fallen logs and shrubs. A large number of
them can be found
together in canopy gaps
and forest edges. During
wet season they move to
non forested areas.
Breeding: Breeds in
forest streams and rivers.
Flight season: Found
throughout the year.
However, large number
can be seen between MaySeptember. Distribution:
Forested areas of Oriental
region.
Fulvous Forest Skimmer Male above and female below
63
33. RUDDY MEADOW SKIMMER

(NEUROTHEMIS INTERMEDIA)
Photo: David Raju
Size: Male: Abdomen: 22-24mm, Hind wing: 24-27mm.Female: Abdomen:

21-24mm, Hind wing: 25-28mm
Description: A medium sized red dragonfly with a broad amber patch at
the base of wings. Male: Face: Bright scarlet. Eyes: Reddish brown above
and yellowish brown below. Thorax: Rusty brown. Legs: Reddish brown.
Wings: Transparent with amber yellow patch in all the four wings. This
patch extends to almost one third of the wings.
Male Ruddy Meadow Skimmer
Wing spot: Bright reddish brown. Abdomen: Bright red with ventro-lateral
brownish stripe, which is interrupted at the apical end of segments.
Female: Is similar to male but the ventro-lateral abdominal band is more
sharply defined. Habits and Habitat: This dragonfly is usually found in
grasslands and other similar open habitats. Breeding: Breeds in marshes,
ponds and lakes. Flight season: Not known. Distribution: Peninsular
India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malacca and Indochina.
64
34. PIED PADDY SKIMMER

(NEUROTHEMIS TULLIA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 16-20mm, Hind wing: 1923mm. Female: Abdomen: 16-19mm, Hind wing:
20-23mm.
Description: Male: Face is black. Eyes: Blackish
brown above, violaceous below. Thorax: Black
with middorsal cream stripe. Legs: Black. Wings:
Basal half is opaque blue black which is bordered
by a milky white patch towards the tip. The wing
tips are transparent. Wing spot: Dull brown.
Abdomen: Black with a broad middorsal creamy
white stripe on the upperside.Female:Differs
significantly from the male in body markings and colouration. The face is
olivaceous yellow. Eyes: Pale brown above, which fade to pale olivaceous towards
the sides and below. Thorax: Greenish yellow with a bright yellow mid dorsal
stripe. This stripe is broadly bordered with blackish brown throughout. Legs:
The outer surface of legs is yellow and the inner surface is black. Wings: Base of
the wings bright amber yellow. Front edge of the wing is blackish brown,
broadening into a very large blackish brown spot. This spot extend to the rear
edge of the wing. In hindwings this spot is irregular or sickle shaped. Tips of all
wings are broadly blackish brown. Wing spot: Dull brown. Abdomen: Bright
yellow with a broad black band above. Underside is black. Habits and habitat: A
conspicuous species of ponds,
marshes and paddy fields. Flight is
slow and weak. Usually perches on
twigs, aquatic weeds and other
plants. This species is very common
along irrigation canals in paddy
fields. Breeding: Breeds in marshes
and ponds. Flight season: Found
throughout the year. However,
peak abundance is during JulySeptember months. Distribution:
Throughout the Oriental region.
Pied Paddy Skimmer male above and female below
35. STELLATE RIVER HAWK

(ONYCHOTHEMIS TESTACEA)
Photo:K.V.Gururaj

36mm, Hind wing: 42-44mm.
Description: A large black and yellow dragonfly with emerald green eyes.
Male: Face: Black and yellow with metallic blue green markings. Eyes:
Emerald green. Thorax: Dark metallic blue with yellow mid dorsal stripe.
First lateral stripe on the thorax is incomplete. However, the posterior one is
complete and reaches the base of wings. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent.
Wing spot: Black and long. Abdomen: Black with dorsal and lateral yellow
spots. Third and fourth segment has yellow characteristic stellate spots on the
dorsal side. The segments 7-10 do not have the lateral yellow spots. Female:
Similar to male in colouration and markings. Habits and Habitat: Very fast
flying dragonfly of forested streams. It usually perches on dry twigs and other
similar vantage points over streams and aggressively chases other odonates.
Breeding: In streams. Flight season: April-June. Distribution: Western
Ghats, Sri Lanka and eastern India.
Stellate River Hawk
65
36.BROWN-BACKED RED MARSH

HAWK (ORTHETRUM CHRYSIS)
Photo:Giby.K

sized dragonfly with blood
red tail and brown thorax.
Male: Face: Scarlet. Eyes:
Coffee brown above, bluish
grey below. Thorax: Rusty
Photo:Manoj.P
66
Brown-backed Red Marsh Hawksmale above and a mating pair below
brown. Legs: Black. Wings:

Transparent, wing base tinted
with amber. Wing spot:
Dark reddish brown.
Abdomen: Bright red.
Female: Bright ochreous with
black markings. Habits and
Habitat: Commonly found
perched around marshes,
ponds, paddy fields and
stagnant parts of rivers and
streams. Breeding: Mated
pairs are frequently found
around wetlands throughout
the year. Flight season:
distributed from India, Sri
Lanka to Celebes and Borneo
in the east.
67
37. BLUE MARSH HAWK

(ORTHETRUM GLAUCUM)

29-35mm, Hind wing:
33-40mm. Female:
Abdomen:28-32mm,
Hind wing: 32-37mm
Description: A
medium sized
dragonfly with bluish
black thorax and blue
tail. Male:Face is pale
olivaceous brown in
young adults
changing to glossy
black in old
individuals. Eyes:
Dark green and is
Male Blue Marsh Hawk
capped with reddish
brown. Thorax: In
old individuals it is dark dull blue or black with fine black blue or
black hairs. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent, with extreme base tinted
with dark amber yellow. In old adults, wings are smoky brown.
Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen: Bulged at segments 1-3.
Segments 1-8 are pruinosed pale blue and the remaining segments black.
Female:Thorax: Olivaceous above bordered by a broad reddish brown
lateral stripe. Lateral side is reddish brown with two yellowish-white
narrow stripes. Legs: Black externally and yellow internally. Wings:
Similar to that of males. Abdomen: Reddish brown with a broad greenish
yellow middorsal stripe. Segments 8-10 are black middorsally. Habits and
habitat: Commonly found in marshes associated with forest streams,
plantations and canals. Breeding: Breeds in Marshes.Flight season: MayOctober. Distribution: Widely distributed in the Oriental region.
68
38. TRICOLOURED MARSH HAWK

(ORTHETRUM LUZONICUM)
Photo:Praveen.J

28-30mm, Hind wing:
30-32mm. Female:
Abdomen: 28-32mm,
Hind wing: 30-32mm.
Description: A
medium sized dragonfly
with blue, yellow and
brown markings. Male:
Face: Pale bluish or
greenish yellow. Eyes:
Bluish green with violet
or brownish spots. Thorax: Pale olivaceous green with brown lateral stripes.
Dorsal side has a distinct yellow Y shaped mark. In older individuals,
brown and yellow markings may be totally replaced by pale blue
pruinescence. Legs: Bluish black. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Yellowish. Abdomen: Is pruinosed pale azure blue in colour and dorsoventrally dilated at base. Female: Markings similar to sub adult males but
less brightly coloured. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found perched
around marshes, ponds, paddy fields, and stagnant part of rivers and
streams. Like green marsh
hawk (O.sabina) this
species also frequently
perches on ground.
Breeding: Mated pairs are
frequently found around
wetlands throughout the
year. Flight season:
distributed from India,
Sri Lanka to Java and
Tricoloured Marsh Hawk: Sub adult
Sumatra in the east.
above and adult male below
69
39. CRIMSON-TAILED MARSH HAWK

(ORTHETRUM PRUINOSUM)

Description: Male: Face is
ochreous to pale reddish
brown. Eyes: Blue black
above and bluish grey
below. Thorax: Is covered
with fine hairs and reddish
brown to dull purple. Legs:
Black and reddish brown
at the base. Wings:
Transparent. In old adults,
it is pale brown towards
the tip.On the fore and
hindwings, the basal area is
marked with reddish
Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk
brown. Wing spot: Reddish
brown. Abdomen: Bright red. In old adults it is purplish due to
pruinescence. Female: Face is pale olivaceous. Eyes: Yellowish, capped
with brown. Thorax: Reddish brown or dull ochreous with indistinct
lateral brown stripe. Wings: Similar to male but the basal markings are
indistinct. Abdomen: Is dull ochreous with each segment thinly
bordered with black. Habits and habitat: A very common dragonfly of
wells, ponds, ditches, tanks and rivers. Males are very conspicuous and
can be seen perched on shrubs, stones etc. Breeding: Breeds in puddles,
ponds and tanks. Flight season: Throughout the year. Distribution:
Oriental region.
70
40. GREEN MARSH HAWK

(ORTHETRUM SABINA)

30-36mm, Hind wing:
30-36mm. Female:
Abdomen: 32-35mm,
Hind wing: 31-35mm
is yellowish green. Eyes:
Green mottled with
black. Thorax: Greenish
Green Marsh Hawk
yellow with black tiger
like stripes. Legs: Black; inner side of anterior femora is yellow. Wings:
Transparent; inner edge of hindwing tinted with yellow. Wing spot: Black
with reddish brown spot. Abdomen: The segments 1-3 are green with broad
black rings and distinctly swollen
at the base. Female: Is very similar
to the male. Habits and habitat: A
common dragonfly of gardens and
fields. This dragonfly perches
motionless on shrubs and dry
twigs for a long time. Hawks
flying insects such as flies, small
butterflies and dragonflies. This
species can be seen far away from
water and occassionally enters
houses at night attracted by the
light. Breeding: Breeds in ponds
and tanks. Flight season:
Distribution: Widely distributed
in Ethiopian, Oriental and
Australian region. It is found
throughout Indian subcontinent
Green Marsh Hawks mating
upto an altitude of 2000m ASL.
71
41. BLUE-TAILED FOREST HAWK

(ORTHETRUM TRIANGULARE)
Photo:K.V.Gururaj
Size: Male: Abdomen: 2933mm, Hind wing: 3741mm.Female: Abdomen:2932mm, Hind wing: 37mm.
Description: A medium sized
dragonfly with black thorax,
black brown patch at wing
base and blue tail. Male: Face
is glossy black. Eyes: Dark
blue. Thorax: Velvety black.
Legs: Black. Wings:
Transparent. The hindwing
has a broad triangular blackish brown spot at the base. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Broad at the base and gradually tapering towards the tip. The
segments 1-2 and 8-10 black. The segments 3-7 azure blue and
covered with fine hairs. Female: Thorax: Olivaceous green above, often
suffused with reddish brown. The sides are dark reddish brown with two
bright yellow stripes. Wings: The transparent wing is suffused with brown.
The hindwing does not have basal black area instead it is tinted with
yellow. Abdomen: The abdomen is black and without fine hairs. A
middorsal yellow or olivaceous green stripe runs from segments 1-7. The
segments 2-7 have two yellow spot underneath. Habits and habitat: A
species of the hills.
Usually found in
hill streams. Breeding:
Breeds in brooks
flowing through
marshes in foothills.
Flight season: Not
known. Distribution: It
is distributed in the hill
ranges of Oriental
Blue-tailed Forest Hawk
region.
72
42. BLUE-TAILED YELLOW SKIMMER

(PALPOPLEURA SEXMACULATA)

18-21mm
Descxription:A small dragonfly
with greenish yellow thorax and
blue abdomen. Male:Face is
creamy yellow with brilliant
iridescent blue frons. Eyes: Bluish
grey, capped with brown above.
Thorax: Pale greenish yellow.
Dorsal side is warm reddish
brown. Legs: Bright yellow with black terminal segments. Wings: Forewings are
transparent with three black streaks extending from the wing base to the tip. A
prominent black spot is also present in the wing node. The hind wings are tinted
with yellow and have two short black streaks extending from the wing base to the
tip. Wing spot: Black with central white streak. Abdomen: Light blue and covered
with pruinescence. The sides of 1&2 and base of 3rd segments yellow. Underside
is yellow with a median black stripe. Female: Face is yellow without iridescent
markings. Thorax: Rich orange brown with lateral brown stripe. Wings:
Transparent and more broadly marked with blackish-brown and black. The
amber yellow tint in the hind wing is deeper. Wing spot: Black and creamy white.
Abdomen: Bright redish brown
with a median black stripe. A
broad lateral black stripe is also
present. Habits and habitat:
This dragonfly is usually found in
marshes associated with bamboo
brakes. It resembles wasps in
appearance and with slow,
circling flight. Breeding: Breeds
in marshes. Flight season: Not
Throughout the Oriental
Blue-tailed Yellow Skimmer:
region.
43. WANDERING GLIDER

(PANTALA FLAVESCENS)
Photo: Kishen Das

39-41mm.
Description:A medium sized
dragonfly with rusty thorax and
yellow abdomen. Male: Face is
bright golden yellow or orange.
Eyes: Reddish brown above, bluish
grey on sides and below. Thorax:
Olivaceous or rusty and is coated
thickly with fine yellowish hair. On
sides, it is pale green or bluish green. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent and base
of hind wing amber yellow. Wing spot: Bright redish brown. Abdomen: Bright
redish brown and is tinted with brick red dorsally. The segments 8-10 have
black spots above. Female: Is very similar to the male. Eyes are olivaceous
brown above and wings are evenly smoky. The abdomen lacks the dorsal red
colouring found in the males. Habits and habitat: Most common dragonfly.
Huge swarms can be seen just before and after monsoon. Thousands of them
swarm over harvesting fields and playground during early morning and
evening. They are ubiquitous and migrate in large numbers with the monsoon
winds. The swarms usually use clearings such as railway tracks, higways and
rivers to migrate. These
swarms frequently bump
into passing vehicles and die
on road. Breeding: Breeds
in marshes and small
puddles. Flight season:
However large numbers can
be seen between SeptemberDecember. Distribution:
Throughout the tropics.
Wandering Glider
73
74
44. YELLOW-TAILED ASHY SKIMMER

(POTAMARCHA CONGENER)

29-31mm, Hind wing: 33-37mm
Description: A medium sized dragonfly with bluish black thorax and yellow
tail with black markings. Male: Face is olivaceous yellow to steel black or
brown. Eyes: Reddish brown above and bluish grey below. Thorax: Black in
adults and covered with bluish pruinescence. In young adults, yellow
markings are visible through the pruinescence. Legs: Black or reddish brown.
Wings: Transparent
and tipped with
brown. Wing spot:
Dark reddish
brown. Abdomen:
Basal segments
covered with bluish
pruinescence. The
segments 1-8 with
medial and lateral
yellow stripe
bordered with
black. Female:
Thorax: Is reddishYellow-tailed Ashy Skimmer - Male
brown above,
fading to dull
brown on sides. A medial yellow and brown lateral markings present. Legs:
Black and femora obscurely striped with yellow. Wings: Transparent and
brown coloured area in the wing tip much more defined. The yellow tinting
of the wings is deeper. Abdomen: Similar to male, however the yellow stripe
beneath is broad leaving a black narrow stripe. Habits and habitat: Found in
weedy ponds and marshes. Large colonies are often found in woods
associated with ponds and marshes. Breeding: Breeds in marshes. Flight
season: Not known. Distribution: Oriental region.
75
45. RUFOUS MARSH GLIDER

(RHODOTHEMIS RUFA)
Photo:David Raju
Photo:David Raju

25-29mm, Hind wing:
32-37mm. Female:
Abdomen: 25-29mm,
Hind wing: 32-37mm.
Description: A Large
rusty dragonfly with
transparent wings.
Male: Face: Bright
ochreous and blood
red. Eyes: Reddish
brown above and scarlet
red below. Thorax: Reddish brown with dorsal yellow stripe or without any
markings. Legs: Dark reddish brown. Wings: Transparent amber yellow spot at
the base of fore and hind wing. Wing spot: Light ochreous. Abdomen: Brilliant
scarlet red. Female: Rusty brown with a mid dorsal yellow stripe extending
from base of the head to 4th segment of the abdomen. Wings are similar to
male but the basal markings are less extensive. Habits and Habitat: Found in
marshes, and weedy ponds. Females are usually found perched on riparian
vegetation. Males are difficult to identify in flight with other similar red
coloured dragonflies,
with which it shares
the habitat. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes and
other similar habitats.
Flight season: Not
Found in West and
east coast, Eastern
India, Sri Lanka, South
East Asia, extending
up to Celebes, Borneo,
Rufous Marsh Glider:
Java and Australia.
Male above and Female below
46. GREATER BLUE WING

(RHYOTHEMIS PLUTONIA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 20-22mm, Hind wing: 31-36mm. Female: Abdomen: 1921mm, Hind wing: 29-32mm.
Description: A medium sized dragonfly with metallic blue wings and body.
Male: Face: Pale bluish with metallic blue-green frons. Eyes: Dark reddish
brown above, violaceous below. Thorax: Metallic blue green. Legs: Black.
Photo: Arif Sidiqui
76
Great Blue Wing
Wings: Opaque metallic blue with transparent forewing tips. Wing spot:
Blackish brown. Abdomen: Black. Female: Similar to males but the transparent
area of fore and hind wing extending to inner end of wing spot or sometime
even further below. Females have shorter and broader wings than that of
males. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found perched around marshes, ponds,
paddy fields, and stagnant part of rivers and streams. Breeding: Breeds in
marshes and other similar habitats. Flight season: Not known. Distribution:
Found in Eastern India and extends to Mayanmar.
77
47. LESSER BLUE WING

(RHYOTHEMIS TRIANGULARIS)
Photo: Shyam Prasad
Photo: Shyam Prasad

16-20mm, Hind
wing:24-29mm.
Female: Abdomen: 1617mm, Hind wing:
24-28mm.
Description: A
medium sized metallic
blue-green dragonfly
with metallic blue
markings on the base
of the wings. Male:
Face: Black and dark
metallic blue-green.
Eyes: Blackish-brown above, paler brown below. Thorax: Metallic blue
green. Legs: Black. Wings: Base of the wings opaque metallic blue
remaining area transparent. Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen:
Black. Female: Similar to males but females have shorter and broader
wings than that of males. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found perched
around marshes and
ponds. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes
and other similar
habitats. Flight
season: Not known.
Distribution:
Found in Western
Ghats, Sri Lanka,
Eastern India and
extend to Malaysia,
Sumatra, Java and
Borneo towards
east.
Lesser Blue Wing
78
48. COMMON PICTURE WING

(RHYOTHEMIS VARIEGATA)
Photo:Manoj.P

dragonfly with butterfly like
yellow and brown wings.
Male: Frons iridescent green.
Eyes: Dark reddish brown above. Thorax: Iridescent green. Legs: Black.
Wings: The forewing is transparent and golden yellow. The wing tip, leading
edge and centre of the wing are marked with deep coffee brown spots. The
hindwing also has similar spots; however the central spot is absent. More over,
the wing base is marked with an irregular brown patch. The trailing edge of the
hindwing has a characteristic W shaped coffee brown mark. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Black. Female: Wings: Tips of the forewings transparent. A dark
brown opaque area extends to the centre of fore wing. This area borders a bright
yellow hockey stick shaped patch. In hindwings the brown opaque area is more
extensive and reaches upto the wing tip, which encloses a long yellow central
patch and a small yellow spot towards the wing tip. This patch also borders
yellow spots of wing margins. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Bluish black. Habits
and habitat: A prominent dragonfly of marshes, paddy fields and ponds. This
species is easily mistaken for a butterfly. A weak flier and frequently perches on
aquatic weeds. This
dragonfly is rarely seen away
from water. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes, ponds
and paddy fields. Flight
season: Throughout the
year, especially near
perennial marshes.
Common Picture Wing: Male above and
Female below
79
49. PIGMY SKIMMER

(TETRATHEMIS PLATYPTERA)
Photo:Shibu Bhaskar

Hind wing: 19-24mm.
Description: A small, large
headed black and yellow
dragonfly with amber coloured
hind wing patch. Male: Face is
bright yellow with upper part
and sides brilliant metallic blue.
Eyes:. Eyes are emerald green in
colour. Thorax: Black with a
bronze green sheen. A narrow
Pigmy Skimmer
median stripe and pair of
broad stripe on sides is bright yellow. Underside is yellow with a broad black
triangle. Legs: Black. Wings: Wings are transparent. Base of the forewing and
nearly half of the hindwing tinted with amber yellow. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Black with yellow spots on sides. Female: Female is very similar to
the male, but the amber coloured areas of the wing much deeper. Habits and
habitat: Common in ponds, weed covered irrigation wells and similar small
water collections. Always
found close to water.
Breeding: Breeds in ponds
and small stagnant water
collections. Female lays
eggs on dry twigs hanging
over water. The egss hatch
out in rains and directly
fall into the water below.
Flight season: Not
Throughout the Oriental
Pigmy Skimmer laying eggs
region.
80
50. CORAL-TAILED CLOUD WING

(THOLYMIS TILLARGA)
Photo: Kishen Das

27-31mm, Hind wing:
31-37mm.
sized red dragonfly with
brown and white
hindwing patch. Male:
Face rusty brown with a
crimson flush. Eyes:
Brown capped with
reddish olivaceous below. Thorax:Reddish above, golden yellow or olivaceous
on sides. Legs: Rustybrown. Wings: Transparent with a broad fan shaped
golden brown patch on the hindwing. This is bordered by a milky white
patch. Wing spot: Reddish brown. Abdomen: Bright rusty-red. Female: Head
and thorax olivaceous without any red tinge. Hindwing brown without the
milky white border and the brown patch is very pale and obscure. Abdomen:
Olivaceous brown. Habits and habitat: A crepuscular dragonfly, active at the
time of sunset and flies at night. Frequently comes to light at night. This fast
flying dragonfly is very
difficult to follow.
Commonly found in
ponds, marshes and
tanks. Breeding: Breeds
in marshes and ponds.
Flight season:
Distribution:
Throughout the
Ethiopian, Oriental and
Australian regions and
Coral-tailed Cloud Wing Pacific Islands.
81
51. RED MARSH TROTTER

(TRAMEA BASILARIS)

30-35mm, Hind wing:
40-44mm.Female:
Abdomen: 32-36mm,
Hind wing: 38-45mm.
Description: A
medium sized red or
yellow dragonfly with
brown and yellow
hindwing patches.
Male: Eyes: Dark
reddish brown.
Thorax: Olivaceous, reddish above and bluish green on sides with a black
lateral stripe. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent. The hindwing base has a
reddish brown marking surrounded by golden amber at the base. The
veins in this area are bright golden yellow. Wing spot: Bright ochreous.
Abdomen: Bright brick-red with median black triangular markings. The
black rings of segments 4-7 interrupted dorsally. Segment 8 black. The
segments 9 and 10 are black with small spots on sides. Female: Face is
bright yellow. Thorax: Bluish green on sides with two prominent lateral
stripes. Abdomen:
Olivaceous green to
yellow with black
markings as in male.
Habits and habitat:
Marshes and ponds.
Breeding: Breeds in
marshes and ponds.
Flight season: Not
known.Distribution:
Oriental region.
Red Marsh Trotter: Male above and Female below
82
52. BLACK MARSH TROTTER

(TRAMEA LIMBATA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 33-35.5mm, Hind wing: 44-46mm. Female: Abdomen:

32mm, Hind wing: 43-46mm.
Description: A medium sized black dragonfly with blood red tail and black
hindwing patch. Male: Face olivaceous or bright ochreous in front and dark
iridescent violet above. Eyes: Dark brown above, olivaceous on sides and
below. Thorax: Olivaceous with reddish suffusion. Legs: Black with reddish
Black Marsh Trotters mating
brown base. Wings: Transparent with reddish venation towards the base. The
base of hindwing has an extremely variable blackish brown marking. The
veins within this black area are reddish. Wing spot: Dark brown. Abdomen:
Blood red marked with black triangles above. Female: Very similar to male.
However, the black markings on the abdomen are more extensive. Habits and
habitat: This midday flying dragonfly is commonly seen patrolling over water
bodies. Breeding: Breeds in ponds, marshes and tanks. Flight season:
Throughout the year. Distribution: Widely distributed in Ethiopian and
Oriental region.
83
53. CRIMSON MARSH GLIDER

(TRITHEMIS AURORA)
Photo:Giby.K
Size: Male: Abdomen: 2129mm, Hind wing: 2434mm.Female: Abdomen:

19-27mm, Hind wing:
24mm
Description: Male: Face is
redish brown changing to
reddish above. Eyes:
Crimson above and brown
on sides. Thorax: Red with
fine dull purple
pruinescence. Legs: Black.
Wings: Transparent with
crimson venation. Base of the wings has a broad amber patch. Wing spot:
Dark reddish brown. Abdomen: Crimson with a violet tinge. The base of
abdomen is swollen. Female: Face is olivaceous or bright redish brown. Eyes:
Purplish brown above and grey below. Thorax: Olivaceous with brown
median and black lateral stripes. Legs: Dark grey with narrow yellow stripes.
Wings: Transparent with brown tips. The venation is bright yellow to brown
and basal amber markings are pale. Wing spot: Dark brown. Abdomen: Redish
brown with median and lateral black markings. The black markings are
confluent at the end of each segment and enclose a redish brown spot. Habits
and habitat: One of the common dragonflies of wetlands. The males usually
perch on dry twigs,
aquatic plants and
over head cables.
Breeding: Breeds in
streams, rivers,
canals, ponds and
tanks.Flight season:
Throughout the
year. Distribution:
Oriental region.
Crimson Marsh Glider: Male above and female below
54. BLACK STREAM GLIDER

(TRITHEMIS FESTIVA)

21-24mm, Hind wing:
29mm.
Description: Male: Frons
dark brown in front and
iridescent violet above.
Eyes: Dark brown above
with a purple tinge. It is
bluish grey laterally and
beneath. Thorax: Black, covered with purple pruinescence. This gives a deep
blue appearance. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent, with a dark opaque brown
mark at the base of hindwing. Wing spot: Black.Abdomen: Black covered
with fine blue pruinescence. Female: Face is dirty brown in front and
changes to brown above. Eyes: Dark brown above and grey below.
Thorax: Greenish yellow to olivaceous. A medial and lateral dark brown
stripe is present. In addition to this, on the sides inverted Y shaped
stripes present . Legs: Black and anterior femora is yellow on the inner
side. Wings: Transparent with dark-reddish brown tip. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Bright yellow with medial, lateral and ventral black stripes.
The medial and lateral stripes
are confluent at abdominal
segments to enclose a wedge
shaped yellow spot. Habits
and habitat: Very common in
slow flowing streams and
canals. Usually perches on
boulders and aquatic plants.
Breeding: Breeds in sluggish
streams. Flight season: MayNovember. Distribution:
Black Stream Glider
Throughout Oriental region.
84
85
55. SCARLET ROCK GLIDER

(TRITHEMIS KIRBYI)
Photo:David Raju

21-24mm, Hind wing:
24-27mm. Female:
Abdomen: 23mm,
Hind wing: 26-30mm
Description: A
medium sized bright
red dragonfly with
amber coloured wing
base. Male: Face: Pale
yellow and bright red.
Eyes: Bright red above
changing to light
bluish grey beneath.
Thorax: Reddish brown tinted with rose red. Legs: Reddish brown. Wings:
Fore and hind wings, transparent with bright crimson venation and broad
reddish brown basal markings. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Bright red with
black dorsal spots on
segments 8 & 9.
Female: Overall
colouration is reddish
brown. The reddish
brown basal markings
in the wings are variable
in extend. Habits and
Habitat: Usually found
in marshes, ponds and
lakes. They have an
interesting habit of
sitting on exposed rocks.
Scarlet Rock Glider
Breeding: Breeds in
marshes and ponds. Flight season: February to June. Distribution: Restricted
to Peninsular India.
56. LONG-LEGGED MARSH GLIDER

(TRITHEMIS PALLIDINERVIS)
Description:A medium sized yellowish brown dragonfly with long spider like
legs. Male: Face is yellow or pale brown in front and iridescent purple above.
Eyes: Reddish brown above, brown on sides and bluish grey below. Thorax:
Olivaceous-brown above with a dark brown triangle. On sides, it is bright
yellowish brown with three black stripes on each side. Legs: Black, long and
86
Long-legged Marsh Glider
spidery. The basal half of femora of first pair of legs are bright yellow. Wings:
Transparent with reddish venation. The forewings have amber coloured basal
markings. The wings have a golden sheen when viewed from certain angle.
Wing spot: Black with creamy white ends. Abdomen: Bright yellow with black
median and lateral stripes. These stripes are confluent at the end of each
abdominal segment to enclose a wedge shaped yellow spot. Female: Resemble
male and the wings are often tinted with yellow or reddish brown. Base of
abdomen is broadly black. Habits and habitat: A dragonfly partial to the
marshes and weedy ponds. Usually perches on tall aquatic weeds or bare ends
of shrubs. The long legs are very noticeable at this time. Breeding: Breeds in
marshes. Flight season: Throughout the year. Distribution: Oriental region.
87
57. GREATER CRIMSON GLIDER

(UROTHEMIS SIGNATA)
Photo:Manoj.P
Photo:Manoj.P

Hind wing: 34-36mm.
Description: A large red
dragonfly with amber coloured
wing base and crimson
reticulation in fore and hind
wings. Male: Face: Ochreous
and blood red. Eyes: Blood red
above, reddish brown laterally
and bluish grey beneath.
Thorax: Red dorsally and olivaceous with reddish suffusion laterally. Legs:
Dark reddish brown to dull ochreous. Wings: Transparent with crimson
reticulation. Extreme base of fore wings have a golden amber yellow spot. The
amber coloured spot on the base of hind wing is broader. The network of
venation over the amber spot is bright crimson. Wing spot: Ochreous above,
pale yellowish below. Abdomen: Blood red with some black markings on
segments 8 & 9. Female: General colouration is rusty brown instead of blood
red. Eyes are brown above. Basal area of hind wing is dark reddish brown.
Hind wing has three distinctive
dark areas at the base.
Abdomen is greenish-olivaceous
and sometimes with black dorsal
markings as in males. Habits
and Habitat: Found in marshes,
weedy ponds, paddy fields and
lakes. Breeding: Breeds in
marshes and other similar
habitats. Flight season:
Greater Crimson Glider:
peninsular India, Sri Lanka
Male above and sub adult male below
extending to Malaysia.
58. IRIDESCENT STREAM GLIDER

(ZYGONYX IRIS)
40-42mm, Hind
wing:46-48mm.
Female: Abdomen: 4043mm, Hind wing: 4749mm.
Description: A large
metallic blue-black
dragonfly with
inconspicuous yellow
markings. Male: Face:
Black and dark metallic
blue-green. Eyes: Black
with yellow markings.
Iridescent Stream Glider
Forehead is iridescent
metallic blue. Thorax: Metallic blue black with a yellow spot at the base of
fore wing and a yellow stripe at the base of hind wing. Legs: Black. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Black with sides of segments 1-3
are yellow. Segments 4-6 have yellow basal rings and 7th segment has a broad
dorsal yellow spot. Female: Similar to males in colouration, but have
prominent yellow dorsal and lateral stripes. In addition they have cylindrical
abdomen with a tumid base. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found flying
over brooks and streams. Breeding: Breeds in streams. Females lay eggs in first
order streams during summer. Apparently, the larva migrates to second or
third order streams during their late instars from where they emerge. Flight
season: April-June. Distribution: Found in Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, Eastern
India and extend to Malaysia.
88
Note: This species has nine recorded subspecies within its range. Within Indian
region, five subspecies are found (Z.iris iris, Z.iris malabarica, Z.iris metallica, Z.iris
ceylanica and Z.iris davina) and some authors consider them as separate species.
However, recent global checklist treats them as a single species.
89
59. BROWN DUSK HAWK

(ZYXOMMA PETIOLATUM)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 37-43mm, Hind wing: 32-35mm. Female:

Abdomen: 37-42mm, Hind wing: 32-38mm
Description: A large brown dragonfly with long thin abdomen and
brown tipped wings. Male: Face is pale olivaceous which darkens above.
Eyes: Brilliant emerald green. Thorax: Chocolate brown, paling at sides.
Legs: Pale reddish brown. Wings: Transparent with dark brown tips.
Wing spot: Dark and blackish. Abdomen: Dark reddish brown with black
rings at the end of each segment. Abdomen is swollen from segments 1-3,
then abruptly contracted and slim to the end. Female: Very similar to the
male. Habits and habitat: A crepuscular dragonfly that flies after sunset.
This dragonfly occasionally comes to light at night, especially after the
first summer showers. Breeding: Breeds in ponds, tanks and marshes.
Flight season: Not known. Distribution: Found throughout India, Sri
Lanka and Myanmar up to an altitude of 1000m ASL.
Brown Dusk Hawk
90
DAMSELFLIES (ZYGOPTERA)
Marsh Darts
(Coenagrionidae)-Page: 91
Bush Darts
(Platycenemididae)-Page: 107
Reedtails
(Platystictidae)-Page:112
Bambootails
(Protoneuridae)-Page: 118
Spreadwings
(Lestidae)-Page: 127
Glories
(Calopterygidae)-Page: 133
Stream Jewels
(Chlorocyphidae)-Page:138
Torrent Darts
(Euphaeidae)-Page:146
91
MARSH DARTS
(FAMILY: COENAGRIONIDAE)
arsh darts are slender and small

damselflies with varied colouration.
These non-iridescent damselflies rest with
wings closed over their body. The wings
are transparent and rounded at the tip.
The long and slender abdomen is slightly
longer than the hind wing. Some of the
smallest damselflies like the Golden Dartlet
(Ischnura aurora) is from this family.
Marsh Darts are found throughout the
world. World over, this family is
represented by about 1147 species. Within
Indian limits, 65 species are known and in
peninsular India 25 species are recorded.
The marsh darts breed in a variety of
aquatic habitats like ponds, marshes,
streams and rivers. Though most of the
Golden Dartlets mating
species are closely associated with aquatic
habitats, some species like the Common
Marsh Dart (Ceriagrion coromandelianum) can be found far away from any
aquatic habitat.
Golden Dartlet- male
92
60. WHITE DARTLET

(AGRIOCNEMIS PIERIS)
Photo: Giby.K
Photo: Giby.K

Hind wing: 11-12mm.
Description: A small white
and pale blue damselfly. Male:
Face: Pale blue. Eyes: Black
above and light blue below.
Spots behind the eyes are
white. Thorax: Black with pale
blue dorsal stripes. Lateral and underside are white in colour. Legs: White
with black markings on outside. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Pale
yellowish or pinkish with blackish or grayish centre. Abdomen: White to pale
blue with black basal rings on segments 3-7. Dorsally, segments 2 & 3 have
extensive black markings dorsally and segments 4-6 have basal black spots.
The basal black spot on segment 6 is connected with spear shaped black
dorsal marking on 7th segment. Segments 8-10 are more bluish with tiny basal
black spot. Female: Is similar to the male with more extensive black markings.
Habits and Habitat: Commonly found in wet grasslands, especially among
laterite outcrops. Breeding: Breeds in wet grasslands. Flight season: MayOctober, very abundant during August-September. Distribution: Western
Ghats, south of Mumbai.
White Dartlet
93
MARSH DARTS (COENAGRIONIDAE)
61. PIGMY DARTLET

(AGRIOCNEMIS PYGMAEA)

16-17mm, Hindwing:
9.5-10mm. Female:
Abdomen: 18 mm,
Hindwing: 11-12 mm.
apple green damselfly
with black thoracic
stripes and aorange
coloured termianl
abdominal segments.
Male Pigmy Darlet
Male: Eyes:Black above,
pale apple green below. Thorax: Black above with pale apple green stripes on
sides. The pale green colour along the sides fades to yellow below. Upper
side of posterior lateral side has small black spot. Legs: Yellow, outer
surface of femora black.Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Pale yellow in
forewings and black in hind wings. Abdomen: Broadly black above.
Segments 1-6 with ground colour pale apple green. Terminal segments
brick red. Female: Shows range of colour variations, some even resemble the
males. In red form (Photo) the head, thorax and abdomen are dark brick red
in colour. Thorax has a broad, dorsal black band. Habits and Habitat:
Common in marshes,
ponds, and sea shore.
Darts among vegetation
and flies very close to the
ground. Breeding: In
marshes and ponds.
Flight Season: Very
common during OctoberJanuary. Distribution:
Throughout the Oriental,
Australian regions and
Female Pigmy Dartlet (Red form)
Pacific islands.
62. SPLENDID DARTLET

(AGRIOCNEMIS SPLENDIDISSIMA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 18mm, Hind wing: 10mm.Female: Abdomen: 1718.5mm, Hind wing: 12-13mm
Description: A small black and blue damselfly with greenish blue eyes.
Male: Face: Black and pale blue. Eyes: Black above, greenish blue below, with a
fine brown equatorial belt. Thorax: Is black with narrow greenish blue dorsal
stripe. Two broad lateral blue stripes are also present. Legs: Black with bluish
Photo: David Raju
94
Male Splendid Dartlet
pruinescence. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Blue with

extensive black markings. The dorsal surface of first and second segment has
extensive black markings. The black markings on segments 3-7 are spatula
shaped and remaining segments are black with blue ventral sides. Female: Is
similar to male but has golden yellow pterostigma. Habits and Habitat: This
damselfly is closely associated with streams and lakes which has emergent
aquatic vegetation. Breeding: Breeds in streams and lakes. Flight season:
August-November Distribution: Peninsular India.
95
63. ORANGE-TAILED MARSH DART

(CERIAGRION CERINORUBELLUM)
Photo: Karthick.B

31-33mm, Hindwing:
20-21mm. Female:
Abdomen: 31-35mm,
Hindwing: 20-21mm.
Description:A
medium sized pale
green damselfly with
orange coloured
segments at the base
and end of the
abdomen. Male: Eyes:
Dark olivaceous
above, pale green below. Thorax: Green above fading to blue on the sides
and yellow below. Legs: Yellow, with short black spines. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Amber coloured. Abdomen: Multicoloured.
Segments 1-2 and 7-10 brick red. Central segments (3-7) blue grey with
dorsal black band. Female: Very similar to the male, however, the red
abdominal segments
7-10 are much duller.
Habits and Habitat:
Common on the
banks of ponds, rivers
and canals. Sits on dry
twigs and vegetation
over water. Breeding:
Breeds in marshy banks
of rivers, canals and
ponds. Flight season:
October-January.
Distribution:
Throughout the
Orange tailed Marsh Dart: Female above
Oriental region.
and male below
96
64. COROMANDEL MARSH DART

(CERIAGRION COROMANDELIANUM)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 28-30mm, Hindwing: 18-20 mm.Female: Abdomen:

29-32 mm, Hindwing: 20mm
Description: A medium sized pale green damselfly with bright yellow (male)
or pale green tail (female). Male: Eyes: Olivaceous above,pale greenish yellow
below. Thorax: Olive green above merging to yellow on sides. Underside is
Coromandel Marsh Dart-male
white. Legs: Yellow with black spines. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Golden yellow. Abdomen: Uniform yellow. Female: Thorax: Golden
brown. Abdomen: Uniformly olivaceous with an ochreous or golden
brown tint on the dorsal side. Habits and Habitat: Common along the
banks of ponds, rivers and canals. Also found frequently far away from
water bodies. Breeding: Shallow water bodies with profuse growth of
grass and other aquatic plants. Flight season: Throughout the year.
Distribution: Throughout the Oriental region.
97
65. BLACK-TAILED MARSH DART

(CERIAGRION FALLAX)
Photo:Usha Lachungpa
Photo:Usha Lachungpa

30-32mm, Hind wing:
20-21mm. Female:
Abdomen: 28-34mm,
Hind wing: 21-24mm.
Description: A
medium sized yellow
damselfly with black
tipped abdomen. Male:
Face: Greenish yellow.
Eyes: Dark olivaceous
above, pale below.
Thorax: Pale green with a fine mid dorsal black stripe and a black spot at
the base of the wing. Sides of the thorax are pale yellow. Legs: Pale yellow
with black spines. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Brown with narrow
yellow and black border. Abdomen: Yellow with fine black basal rings in
segments 1-6. The dorsal side of 7th segment and segments 8-10 are
entirely black. Female: Is less brightly coloured. Abdomen is brown
instead of yellow and
segments 5-10 have
black dorsum. Habits
and Habitat: This
damselfly is usually
found in marshes and
other wetlands in hilly
tracts. Breeding:
Breeds in marshes and
Not known.
Distribution: Western
Himalayas, Sikkim,
Black-tailed Marsh dart: Male above and
mating pair below
Assam and Tibet.
98
66. RUSTY MARSH DART

(CERIAGRION OLIVACEUM)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 3438mm, Hindwing: 2223mm. Female: Abdomen:

33-35mm, Hindwing:
22mm.
sized pale green or brown
damselfly with rusty tail.
Male: Eyes: Olivaceous
brown. Thorax: Upper side
pale olivaceous, paler on the
sides and beneath. Legs:
Yellow with black spines. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Pale brown.
Abdomen: Uniform olivaceous brown, fading to yellowish beneath. Female:
Very similar to the male.The race found in the Western Ghats
(C.o.aurantiacum) has a reddish brown abdomen. Habits and Habitat: Very
common among vegetation along the banks of streams. Breeding: Shaded
streams. Flight season: September-December. Distribution: Western Ghats,
North-east India and West Bengal.
Rusty Marsh Dart (Western Ghats race)
67. ORANGE MARSH DART

(CERIAGRION RUBIAE)
Photo:Shibu Bhaskar

Abdomen: 30-31mm, Hind wing: 20mm.
Description: A medium sized bright orange coloured damselfly.
Male: Face: Orange and yellow. Eyes: Green above, olivaceous below.
Thorax: Bright orange, without any markings. Legs: Pale ochreous with
black spines. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Reddish brown.
Abdomen: Orange coloured. Female: The orange colour of male is
Orange Marsh Dart
replaced by olivaceous. Habits and Habitat: This damselfly is usually

found in marshes and weedy ponds. Breeding: Breeds in marshes and
ponds. Flight season: May-October. Distribution: Widely distributed in
the Westen Ghats and Southern Peninsular India.
99
68. GOLDEN DARTLET

(ISCHNURA AURORA)
Size:Male: Abdomen: 1620mm, Hindwing: 1020mm.Female: Abdomen:
18-20mm, Hindwing: 1415mm
Description: A small apple
green damselfly with black
thoracic stripes and blue
tipped yellow tail. Male:
Eyes: Black half moon like
cap above, olive green to dark olive below, which fade to pale olive
beneath. Two azure blue spots are present behind the eyes. Thorax:
Shinning black with two pale grass green stripes. Sides are light green
and white below. Legs: Pale greenish white. Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: The wing spots are different in fore and hindwings. It is rose-red in
forewings and uniform pale grey in hindwings. Abdomen: Bright yellow.
The second and seventh segments has upper narrow and broad black
marks respectively. Segments 8-10 are entirely azure blue. The 10th
segment has an upper black spot. Female: The female is less brightly
coloured than the male. A broad black stripe runs along the upper side of
abdomen. Segments 8-10 do not have azure blue markings. Habits and
Habitat: Found among
vegetation along the banks of
ponds, rivers, canals and
estuaries.Breeding: Among
marshes on the banks of
ponds, canals and rivers.Flight
Distribution: Oriental and
Australian regions. Also found
in remote oceanic islands
probably carried by air
Golden Dartl: Male above
currents.
Mite infested female below
100
101
69. SENEGAL GOLDEN DARTLET

(ISCHNURA SENEGALENSIS)

21-23mm, Hindwing:
13-15mm. Female:
Abdomen: 20-24mm,
Hindwing: 14-16mm
pale green damselfly
with black and yellow
thoracic stripes.
Abdomen is yellow and
has basal and terminal
blue spots. Male: Eyes:
Upper side black;
underside pale green to
yellow . Two bright blue
spots present behind the
Senegal Golden Dartlets mating
eyes. Thorax: Bronze
backed with pale green sides and yellow underside. Narrow stripe on sides is
pale green to bright yellow bordered by a broad black band. Legs: Black, with
yellow or pale green outer surface. The legs are covered with short black
spines. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Diamond shaped and black in
forewing and dull white in the hindwing. Abdomen: The first segment is pale
green and the second is azure blue with steel blue black on upper side. The
segments 3-7 are bright yellow with black upper side. The eighth and ninth
segments are azure blue with black upper side. The last segment has black
upper side and yellow on sides. Female: Less brightly coloured than the male.
The eyes and spots behind the head are paler. The thorax has pale green
stripe and brown band instead of yellow stripe and black band of male. The
legs and abdomen are pale brown with black stripes. The abdomen lacks blue
markings found in males. Habits and Habitat: Very common in marshes,
ponds and wet grasslands. Breeding: Breeds in marshes and ponds.
Flight season: Not known. Distribution: Ethiopian and Oriental region. In
the Western Ghats it is reported up to an altitude of 2300m ASL.
70. BROWN DARTLET

(MORTONAGRION VARRALLI)
Description: A small pale brown damselfly without any black markings.
Male: Face: Pale brown and sky blue. Head is bluish white beneath. Eyes:
Grey with a reddish brown cap. Thorax: Pale reddish brown marked with
Photo:Dsvid Raju
102
Female Brown Darlet
narrow pale blue dorsal stripe. Legs: Pale brown with black spines. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Pale golden brown. Abdomen: Pale reddish brown
with pale blue basal rings in segments 3-7. Basal half of 8th segment has a
deeply indented pale blue marking and segments 9-10 unmarked. Female: Is
similar to male but the basal half of 8th abdominal segment is pale blue
without indentation. Habits and Habitat: Found among bushes close to
marshes. Breeding: Breeds in marshes. Flight season: Not known.
Distribution: Western Ghats south of Mumbai.
103
71. BLACK MARSH DART

(ONYCHARGIA ATROCYANA)
Photo: David Raju

Hind wing: 18mm.
glossy black damselfly of
forested marsh lands.
Male: Face: Black. Eyes:
Black above, brown below.
Thorax: Glossy black.
Teneral and sub adult
males have lateral yellow
stripes on brown thorax and black and yellow eyes. Legs: Black. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Pale yellow. Abdomen: Black with bluish basal rings.
Female: Is similar to sub adult males in markings and colouration. Habits and
Habitat: Found in marshes surrounded by forests. Breeding: Breeds in
forested marshes. Flight season: May-September. Distribution: Found in
forested areas of Western Ghats, Bengal, North Eastern states, Sri Lanka and
Mayanmar.
Black Marsh Dart: Male above and mating pair below
72. YELLOW-STRIPED BLUE DART

(PSEUDAGRION INDICUM)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 34mm, Hind wing: 22mm.Female: Abdomen: 32mm,
Hind wing: 22mm
Description: A medium sized blue damselfly with black and yellow thoracic
stripes. Male: Eyes: Black above, greenish on sides and beneath. Thorax:
Azure blue with broad black medial band. On the sides, it is azure blue with
greenish yellow stripe and a narrow black stripe. Rest of the thorax is
azure blue with two black spots towards poster end. Wings: Transparent.
Legs: Pale azure blue and the outer surface of femora have a black band.
Wing spot: Pale yellow. Abdomen: Azure blue. Second segment has a
broad V shaped mark. The segment 3-7 has a broad black stripe above.
The segment 8 and 9 are azure blue, with broad apical black rings. The
10th segment is black above. Female: Eyes: Emerald green above with or
without a small black cap.Thorax: Grass green above and pale yellowish
green on sides. This is marked with three fine black parallel lines above
and a fine black line on sides. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Pale
brown. Abdomen: The segments 1-7 are similar to males. However, the 8
and 9th segments are black with a fine blue ring towards the end, and
the 10th segment is black. Habits and Habitat: Found in pools associated
with hill streams. Usually perches on dry twigs near streams. Breeding:
Marshes associated with hill streams. Flight season: Throughout the year.
Distribution: Endemic to the Western Ghats. This species is known from
Chikmagalur, Kodagu (Karnataka) and Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu) districts.
104
Yellow-striped Blue Dart - male
105
73. BLUE GRASS DARTLET

(PSEUDAGRION MICROCEPHALUM)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 27mm, Hindwing: 17mm. Female: Abdomen: 29mm,

Hindwing: 20mm.
Description: A small blue damselfly with broad blue medial thoracic stripe.
Male: Eyes: Brown cap above, dark azure blue below fading to sky blue
beneath. Thorax: Azure blue with a broad black medial stripe. A black
narrow stripe on each side. Wings: Transparent. Legs: Azure blue. Wing spot:
Grey. Abdomen: Azure blue. Second Segment with a goblet shaped black
mark on the upper side. Segments 3-7 has a broad black markings above.
Segment 8 has a thick ring towards the end and the 9th segment is unmarked.
A broad saddle-shaped black mark is present on the upper side of 10th
segment. Female: Eyes: Pale blue beneath, olive green above. Thorax: Bluish
green, golden orange above and azure blue on sides. Wings: Transparent.
Wing spot: Pale brown. Abdomen: Similar to male. Segment 2 has a thick
dumbbell shaped above. The segments 8 and 9 have broad black stripe above
and two tongue like spots respectively. The tenth segment is unmarked.
Habits and Habitat: A species of the plains. Found commonly among
vegetation covered banks of ponds, canals and rivers. Breeding: Among
marshy banks of ponds, canals and rivers. Flight season: June-November.
Distribution: Oriental and Australian region.
Blue Grass Dartlet
106
74. SAFFRON-FACED BLUE DART

(PSEUDAGRION RUBRICEPS)
Photo: Raghu Anand
Size: Male: Abdomen: 29mm, Hind wing: 18-20mm. Female: Abdomen:

Description: A medium sized blue damselfly with characteristic bright
orange face. Male: Eyes: Olivaceous green above, bright orange below
and bluish beneath. Thorax: Olivaceous green with azure blue sides.
Median fine black line with broad black parallel line present on each
side. On sides, a fine black lline is present and the under side is
white.Wings: Transparent. Legs: Yellow. Femora black on outer and rear
surfaces. Wing spot: Reddish brown. Abdomen: The segment 1-2 is
olivaceous green above and azure blue on sides. The segment 3-7 is black,
bronzed green
above. The 8th
segment has a
broad black cone
above and the 9th
and 10th segments
are azure blue.
Female: The face is
rusty brown. Eyes:
Dark blue above,
azure blue below.
Thorax: Markings
similar to male but
the colour is dull
bluish green.
Saffron-faced Blue
Abdomen: The
markings above the
segments broader than in males. The mark on 8th segment extends the
whole length of the segment and 9th segment has basal forked markings
above. Habits and Habitat: Frequents banks of large rivers. Usually
perches on aquatic plants on the bank and is seen in small groups of 3-4
individuals. Breeding: Breeds in marshes along the river bank. Flight
season: Throughout the year. Distribution: Oriental region.
107
BUSH DARTS
(FAMILY: PLATYCNEMIDIDAE)
ush Darts are small, slender

damselflies. They are
predominantly black damselflies
with blue, red or yellow
markings. The narrow,
transparent wings are rounded at
the tip. Abdomen is longer than
the hindwing. Bush Darts are
found only in Old World and
197 species are known from this
region. Within Indian limits 30
species are known. Only three
species are known from
peninsular India and the rest of
the species are found in the
eastern Himalayas. Bush darts
breed in small mountain streams
and adults usually dart among
riparian vegetaion. Newly
emerged Bush Darts are
conspicuously white and without
any marking.
Yellow Bush Darts mating
75. SCARLET OPENWING

(CALICNEMIA EXIMIA)
Abdomen: 28-30mm, Hind wing: 23-25mm.
Description: A small scarlet and black damselfly, which perches with half
open wings. Male: Face: Black and scarlet red. A pale yellow streak
behind the eyes is characteristic. Underside of the head is yellow marked
with black. Eyes: Scarlet with a brown cap above, paling to yellowish
beneath. Thorax: Black with scarlet dorsal and pale yellow lateral stripes.
Legs: Scarlet. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Dark reddish brown.
Abdomen: Scarlet without any markings. Female: Wings of females extend
almost to the end of abdomen. General colouration is yellow instead of
scarlet. Legs are yellow and abdomen is ochreous changing to black on
terminal segments. Habits and Habitat: This gregarious damselfly is
usually found perched on riparian vegetation associated with hill streams.
Breeding: Breeds in small brooks flowing through marshes and other
similar habitats. Flight season: May-June. Distribution: Restricted to
Western and Eastern Himalayas.
Photo:Rafeek.K
108
Scarlet Open wing
BUSH DARTS (PLATYCNEMIDIDAE)
76. GOLDEN OPENWING

(CALICNEMIA MORTONI)
Photo:Giby.K.
Photo:Giby.K.

Abdomen: 30mm, Hind wing: 25mm.
Description: A small black, golden
yellow and ochre damselfly, which
perches with half open wings. Male:
Face: Black and yellow. Underside of
head is black with yellow markings.
Yellow stripes behind the eyes are very
distinct. Eyes: Black above, dull light
green underneath. Thorax: Black with
grayish blue dorsal stripes. Olivaceous
on sides and underneath is black. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Blackish brown. Abdomen: Black. Dorsal side of segments 1-2 and base of 3rd
is brick red. The segments 3-4 have
paired apical rusty spots. Female: Face
is black and yellow. Thorax is black
with bright yellow dorsal and lateral
stripes. Abdomen is black with dorsal
side of segments 1-5 brick red. The
apical end of 5th and remaining
segments are black. Posterior end of
segments 2-5 has black ring. These
black rings on segments 3-5 bears
paired dorsal yellow spots. Habits and
Habitat: This damselfly is usually
found perched on riparian vegetation
associated with hill streams. Breeding:
Breeds in small brooks flowing
through marshes and other similar
habitats. Flight season: May-June.
Distribution: Restricted to Sikkim at
Female Golden Open wing
an altitude of 1500-2000m.
109
110
77. YELLOW BUSH DART

(COPERA MARGINIPES)

28-31mm, Hindwing:
16-18mm.Female:
Abdomen: 29-30mm,
Hindwing: 20mm.
band extend from eye
to eye. Male: Eyes:
Black above, greenish
on sides and beneath
with black equatorial
band. Thorax: Bronze black with fine yellow lines on sides. The stripe on sides
is narrow and pale greenish yellow. Legs: Bright yellowish orange. Wings:
Transparent.Wing spot: Brown. Abdomen: Bronzed black above.
Segments 3-6 with a pale stripe along the side and a narrow pale greenish
white ring at the end of each segment . Female: Ground colour is dark
and of varying shades of brown. Eyes: Similar to the male but has a brown
cap. Thorax: Ground colour is brown. The black stripe above is similar to
that of males and black stripe on sides is irregular. Legs: Brownish. Wings:
Transparent. Wing spot: Pale brown. Abdomen: Brown above with broad
rings towards the end. Half of 8th segment and the whole of 9-10th
segments pale brownish white. Habitat: Found along ponds, puddles,
canals and streams. Flies
very close to the ground
(<1m). Breeding:
Breeds in shallow water
collections, such as
rainwater puddles and
backwaters of streams.
Flight season: AugustNovember.
Distribution:Oriental
Yellow Bush Darts-Male above and female below
region.
111
BUSH DARTS (PLATYCNEMIDIDAE)
78. BLUE BUSH DART

(COPERA VITTATA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 2834mm, Hindwing: 1618mm.Female: Abdomen: 2830mm, Hindwing: 18mm
Description: A black band
extend from eye to eye. Male:
Eyes: Black cap above,
olivaceous green below with a
black equatorial belt. Thorax:
Black above, chocolate brown
on sides with a few coarse yellow spots. A narrow yellow stripe beneath
continuous as bluish or yellowish in front. Underside of the thorax is yellow.
Legs: Reddish yellow. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Reddish brown.
Abdomen:Black above.The segments one and two reddish yellow. Pale blue
rings at the front end of segments 3-7. The segment 9 has a blue spot and
segment 10 is entirely blue. Female: Eyes: Dark brown cap above with pale
apple green below. The black equatorial belt present as in males. Thorax: Pale
brown and marked similar to males.Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Blackish brown. Legs: Yellow. Abdomen: Pale brown with dark purplish
black. Segments 1-2 pale yellowish brown. Segments 3-7 with pale
brown anterior rings. The 9th segment has a broad pale brown T-shaped
mark. Segment 10 is pale brown. Habits and Habitat: Found along
ponds, puddles, canals and streams. Flies very close to the ground (<1m).
Breeding: Breeds in
shallow water
collections, such as
rainwater puddles and
backwaters of streams.
Flight season: AugustNovember.
Distribution:
Throughout the
Blue Bush Darts - Mating pair above and male below Oriental region.
112
REEDTAILS
(FAMILY: PLATYSTICTIDAE)
eedtails are small black or brown damselflies marked with white, blue or,
rarely, iridescent markings. Transparent wings are slightly pointed at the
tip. Abdomen is very long and twice or more than twice the length of the
hindwing. Reed Tails are found in tropical Old and New World. 142 species
are known world wide. Within Indian region 13 species are known, of which
8 are found in the Western Ghats. Reed Tails are exclusively found in forested
streams and they breed in them.
Pied Reedtail - male
113
REEDTAILS (PLATYCNEMIDIDAE)
79. SIKKIM BLUE REEDTAIL

(DREPANOSTICTA CARMICHAELI)
Photo:Giby.K
Photo:Giby.K

Description: A small blackish
brown damselfly with
turquoise blue marks. Male:
Face: Brown and turquoise
blue. Eyes: Turquoise blue
with broad brown equatorial
band. Thorax: Brown with
dorsal and lateral turquoise
blue stripes. Legs: Brown.
Wings: Transparent and palely enfumed. Wing spot: Blackish brown.
Abdomen: Brown. Turquoise blue on dorsum of second segment and segments
3-7 have blue basal rings. The segments 8-10 are completely turquoise blue
with a black baso-lateral border.
The segments 7-10 are tumid.
Female: Is similar to male in
colouration and markings but
abdomen is shorter and
segments 8-10 have only basal
turquoise blue rings. Habits
and Habitat: This damselfly is
usually found perched on
riparian vegetation associated
with hill streams. Breeding:
Breeds in hill streams. Flight
season: May-June.
Distribution: Restricted to
Western Himalayas and Sikkim
Sikkim Blue Reedtail:
at an altitude of 1000-1500m.
80. SAFARON REEDTAIL

(PLATYSTICTA DECCANENSIS)
Description: A medium sized saffron damselfly with turquoise blue terminal
abdominal segments. Male: Face: Black and turquoise blue. Eyes: Black above
olivaceous brown below. Thorax: Bright saffron, changing to golden yellow
laterally and pale yellow beneath. Legs: Reddish brown. Wings: Transparent
and palely enfumed. Wing spot: Bright red. Abdomen: Dark reddish brown.
Underside of segments 2-6 are golden yellow. The segments 8-9 are azure blue
bordered with black on baso-lateral side. Female: Thorax is saffron colored
with black dorsum and azure blue dorsal and lateral stripes. First abdominal
segment is bright brick red
on sides and 8th segment
does not have the blue
mark. The ninth segment
has oval lateral azure blue
spots. Habits and Habitat:
This rare damselfly is found
in streams with dense
riparian vegetation. The
blue spot of the tail is quite
distinct in its dark
surroundings. Breeding:
Breeds in hill streams. Flight
season: SeptemberNovember. Distribution:
Endemic to southern
Western Ghats. Earlier this
species was known only
from streams of Vazhachal
(Annamalai). Recent studies
have found populations of
this species in Makut, Thora
(Coorg) and Arippa
Safaron Reedtail
(Trivandrum).
Photo:Ullasa.K
114
115
81. ANAMALAI REEDTAIL

(PROTOSTICTA DAVENPORTI)

23-24mm.
Description: A small pale blue and
black damselfly. Male: Face: Black
and turquoise blue. Eyes: Steel black
above, bluish grey below. Thorax:
Glossy black with two lateral pale
blue stripes, which extend to the
base of mid and hind legs. Legs: Pale
brown with black markings on outer
surface. Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: Black. Abdomen: Black with
bluish white markings on sides of
segments 1-2 and rings at the base of
segments 3-7. Basal half of 8th
segment is bluish white and 9th and
10th segments are completely black. Female: Is similar to male but the
abdomen is considerably shorter. The bluish white basal ring on the 7th
segment is serrate and 8th segment has baso-lateral pale blue spot. Habits and
Habitat: This damselfly is found in streams with dense riparian vegetation.
The species is very local
and not found
everywhere in its range.
Breeding: Breeds in hill
streams Flight season:
May-June.
Distribution:
Restricted to southern
Western Ghats, in
Anamalai and
Aghastyamalai.
Anamalai Reed tail
116
82. PIED REEDTAIL

(PROTOSTICTA GRAVELYI)
Photo:Giby.K

Hindwing: 20-22mm.Female:
Abdomen: 33-35mm, Hindwing: 1923mm
Description: Male:Eyes: Dark bottle
green, fading to pale greenish
beneath. Thorax: Glossy black,
marked with broad diagonal creamy
white stripe, extending from middle
and hind pair of legs. Legs: Creamy
white. Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: Black. Abdomen: Black, marked
with creamy white rings at the end of
segments 3-7. The sides of first and
second segment and basal half of 8th
segments are turquoise blue. The 9th and 10th segments are unmarked.Female:
Very similar to male, but abdomen is
short. Eyes: With an ill defined white
spot on the outer side. Abdomen:
Turquoise blue; marking on segment
8 of male is replaced by white spot.
Habits and Habitat: Occurs in
heavily shaded hill streams. Found
among rocks and ferns in streams. It
flies in short jerks holding the
abdomen rigid and horizontal. In
dark forest understorey, the species
appears like a chain of darting white
dots. Breeding: Heavily shaded hill
streams. Flight season: May-June and
again in September- October.
Distribution: Endemic to the
Western Ghats, south of Goa.
Pied Reedtail: Male above
and Female below
117
83. RED SPOT REEDTAIL

(PROTOSTICTA SANGUINOSTIGMA)
Photo: K.A.Subramanian

Description: A small pale
blue and black damselfly
with bottle green eyes.
Male: Face: Black and
turquoise blue. Eyes: Bottle
green above and pale blue
beneath and these two
regions is separated by blackish brown equatorial band. Thorax: Glossy black
with a lateral pale blue stripe and ventro-lateral side is pale blue. Legs: Pale
brown with black markings on outer surface. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot:
Blood red, but in populations of Agastyamalai they are reddish brown.
Abdomen: Blackish brown on dorsal side and paler on the sides. The lateral
sides of segments 1-2 are white and bluish white rings are found at the base of
segments 3-7. Basal half of 8th segment bluish white, which is divided mid
dorsally by black tongue shaped mark and 9th and 10th segments are
completely black. Female: Is similar to male but the abdomen is shorter. The
segments 8-10 are entirely black. Habits and Habitat: This damselfly is found
in streams with dense riparian vegetation. The species is very local and not
found everywhere in its range.
streams Flight season: MayJune. Distribution: Restricted
to Southern Westen Ghats.
Earlier the species was known
only from Coorg, Wayanad
and Nilgiris. However, recent
studies show that populations
do exist in Agastyamalai.
Male Red Spot Reedtail
Bambootails are small

to medium sized
slender damselflies.
They are usually black
coloured and marked
with blue, red, yellow
or rarely iridescent.
Wings are transparent
and rounded or
pointed at the tip.
Abdomen is long and
never twice the length
of the hindwing.
Travancore Bambootail
Bamboo Tails are
highly diverse family
with 244 known species world wide. Within Indian limits 24 species are
known of which 15 are found in peninsular India. All the species breed in
running waters and most of theam are restricted to forested landscapes.
BAMBOOTAILS
(FAMILY: PROTONEURIDAE)
Photo:Shyaam Prasad
118
Black winged Bambootails mating
119
BAMBOOTAILS (PROTONEURIDAE)
84.COORG BAMBOOTAIL
(CACONEURA RAMBURI)
Photo. Praveen.J
Size: Male: Abdomen: 43-44 mm, Hind wing: 28-29mm. Female:

Abdomen: 40-41mm. Hind wing: 28mm. Description: A large sized azure
blue and black damselfly. Male: Face: Black and azure blue. Eyes: Azure
blue with black cap. Thorax: Glossy black with dorsal azure blue stripe
and pale azure blue on sides marked with a black stripe. Legs: Black with
basal segments azure blue. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black.
Abdomen: Black with azure blue markings. The first segment is azure blue
with a black basal ring and the second segment is broadly blue on sides. The
third segment has a pair of baso-dorsal spots and 4-7 have narrow basal blue
rings. The segments 8-10 are completely azure blue. Female: Markings are
greenish yellow and abdominal segments with paired dorsal spots. The 8th,
9th and 10th segments have a triangular blue, black T spots and blue saddle
shaped markings respectively. Habits and Habitat: This damselfly is usually
found perched on riparian vegetation along shaded streams . The species is
common during the flight season. Breeding: Breeds in hill streams. Flight
season: May-October. Distribution: Widely distributed in the Western
Ghats, south of Uttarakannada, Biligiri Rangaswamy and Shevaroy Hills
in the Eastern Ghats.
Coorg Bambootail
120
Photo.E.Kunhikrishnan
Size: Male: Abdomen: 37-38 mm, Hind

wing: 23-24mm.
Description: A medium sized azure blue
and black damselfly. Male: Face: Black
and azure blue. Eyes: Azure blue with
black cap. Thorax: Glossy black with
dorsal azure blue stripe and pale azure
blue on sides marked with a black stripe.
Legs: Blackish brown with basal segments
azure blue. Wings: Transparent. Wing
Wayanad Bambootil - mating
Photo. K.A.Subramanian
85.WAYANAD BAMBOOTAIL
(CACONEURA RISI)
spot: Black. Abdomen: Black with

azure blue markings. The first
segment is azure blue with broad
black markings and the second
segment is broadly blue on sides.
The segments 3-7 have narrow basal
blue rings and 8-10 segments are
completely azure blue. Female:
Markings are similar to male but the
markings on the thorax are pale
azure blue and brown in abdomen.
Habits and Habitat: This damselfly
is usually found perched on riparian
vegetation. The species is common
during the flight season. Breeding:
Breeds in hill streams. Flight season:
May-October. Distribution:
Restricted to Westen Ghats in
Nilgiri-Wayanad and Agastyamalai.
121
86. BLACK-WINGED BAMBOOTAIL

(DISPARONEURA QUADRIMACULATA)
Size: Male:Abdomen: 32mm,

Hind wing: 22mm.Female:
Abdomen: 29-30mm, Hind
wing: 22mm.
brick red damselfly with black
banded wing. Male: Eyes: Brick
red with two equatorial black
stripes. Thorax: Bright brick red
above, paler on sides.A black narrow stripe above and incomplete or broken
stripes are present on sides. Legs: Pale brown, Femora, Speckled with black.
Wings: Transparent with broad blackish brown bands in the centre. Wing
spot: Rusty brown. Abdomen: Brick red. The first segment is black above and
the second segment has a large black ring above. The base of segments 3-6 has
a pair of small whitish spots above. A narrow pale stripe on each side and a
broad black ring towards the end is present. The segments 7-9 is black and
the 10th segment is reddish. Female: Differ drastically from male. Thorax: The
thorax is black above. The side is olivaceous green shaded with ochreous and
black as in the male. Legs: Pale reddish brown. Wings: Transparent and
without broad brownish black bands . Occasionally edges of the wings are
smoky brown. Abdomen: Pale olivaceous with rusty brown above, which is
marked and shaded with black and brown. Habits and Habitat: Streams and
rivers. Perches on
emergent boulders and
aquatic plants.
Breeding: Not known.
Flight season: AugustDecember.
Distribution: Western
Ghats, Bihar, West
Bengal, Delhi and
Rajasthan.
Black-winged Bamboo Tail
122
87. BLACK AND YELLOW BAMBOOTAIL

(ELATTONEURA TETRICA)
Photo. Raghu Anand
Size: Male: Abdomen: 27-28mm, Hind wing: 18-19mm, Female:

Abdomen: 26-28mm, Hind wing: 18 mm
Description: A small glossy black damselfly with yellow thoracic stripes.
Male: Face: Black. Eyes: Black above, olivaceous to blue below, with a
black equatorial belt. Thorax: Is glossy black with thin dorsal
pruinescence. Two broad yellow baso-lateral stripes are also present.
Legs: Black with outer surface of tibae yellow. Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: Black. Abdomen: Glossy Black. The first segment has a lateral yellow
spot and basal paired yellow spots on segments 3-6. Female: Head and
thorax blackish brown with yellow markings. The abdomen is black on
dorsum and pale ochreous on sides. The basal spots on segments are
larger and brighter. Legs are black with yellow markings. Habits and
Habitat: This damselfly is closely associated with streams and large lakes.
Breeding: Breeds in streams and lakes. Flight season: May-July.
Distribution: Restricted to eastern side of central Western Ghats from
Uttarakannada to Mysore.
Black and Yellow Bambootail
123
88. NILGIRI BAMBOOTAIL

(ESME LONGISTYLA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 44mm,

Hindwing: 28-29mm.Female:
Abdomen: 42-43mm,
Hindwing: 28mm.
Description: A large blue
damselfly with black thoracic
stripes. Male:Eyes: Sky blue,
capped with black. Thorax:
Black above with narrow blue
stripes. Azure blue on sides
with a diagonal black stripe.
Nilgiri Bamboo Tail
Under side is greenish yellow
or blue. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black and rhomboidal in
shpe. Abdomen: Long and slender. The first and segments 8-10 azure blue.
The second segment is black with broad irregular azure blue stripe on sides.
The segments 3-7 is black with azure blue rings at the end of each segment.
Female: Very similar to male. Habits and Habitat: Shaded forest
streams.Perches on overhanging vegetation. Breeding: Breeds in forest
streams. Flight season: May-November. Distribution: Endemic to Western
Ghats from north of the Palghat gap to Dakshinkannada.
Nilgiri Bamboo Tail
124
89. TRAVANCORE BAMBOOTAIL

(ESME MUDIENSIS)
Photo. K.A. Subramanian
Photo. K.A. Subramanian
Size: Male: Abdomen: 46mm,

Hind wing: 32mm. Female:
Abdomen: 44mm, Hind wing:
29mm.
azure blue and black damselfly
with metallic blue-black
markings on face. Male: Face:
Black and azure blue. Labrum
is metallic blue-black without
any blue markings. Eyes: Azure
blue with blackish brown cap. Thorax: Glossy black with dorsal and lateral
azure blue stripes and ventro-lateral side is pale azure blue. Legs: Black with
basal segments azure blue. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen:
Black with azure blue markings. An azure blue ring encircles the first
segment and second has lateral comma shaped markings. The segments 3-6
have tiny paired basal segments, 7th segment is black and 8-10th segments are
azure blue with a black ventrolateral border. Female: Is similar
to male but less brightly
coloured. The eighth and ninth
have three dorsal azure spots
and a triangular spot
respectively. Habits and
habitat: This damselfly is usually
found in streams perched on
riparian vegetation. The species
is common during the flight
season. Breeding: Breeds in hill
streams. Flight season: MayOctober. Distribution:
Restricted to Westen Ghats
south of Palghat gap.
Travancore Bambootail
125
90. MYRISTICA BAMBOOTAIL

(PHYLLONEURA WESTERMANNI)
Size: Male:Abdomen: 4151mm, Hindwing: 2837mm.Female: Abdomen:

45-46mm, Hindwing: 3335mm
Deep blue capped with
back. Thorax: Black above
marked with narrow black
stripe, blue on sides with
diagonal black stripe. Legs:
Black. Wings: Transparent
and smoky.Double cells
between main nervures are
very characteristic.Wing
spot: Black or dark reddish
brown. Abdomen: Black
with blue markings. The
Myristica Bamboo Tail
first segment is broadly blue
on sides and second segment has blue broader on underside. The segments 3-5
has narrow blue basal rings. The apical half of 7th segment is azure blue. The
8th and 9th segments are entirely azure blue. Female: Very similar to the male,
however, the 8th and 9th abdominal segments have large triangular blue spots
above. Habits and Habitat: Shaded mountain streams and associated
Myristica (Nutmeg) swamps. Perches on overhanging plants. When disturbed,
flies higher in to the trees. Breeding: Streams and Myristica swamps. Flight
season: August-Novmber. Distribution: This rare damselfly is endemic to the
Western Ghats between the Nilgiris and Sharavathi Valley.
91. BLACK BAMBOOTAIL

(PRODASINEURA VERTICALIS)
Photo. Manoj.P
Size: Male:Abdomen:
29mm, Hindwing:
19mm.Female:
Abdomen: 30mm,
Hindwing: 20mm.
Description:A medium
sized black damselfly
with blood red thoracic
stripes. Male: Eyes:
Velvety black on upper
side coral red below.
Thorax: Velvety black
with two diagonal brick red stripes on sides. Under side yellowish. Legs:
Black. Wings: Transparent. Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen:
Black with yellow basal spots from segments 3-7. The first segment has a
small spot on each side and the second segment has a narrow yellow
border below. Female: Similar to the male and the bright red markings
of male are largely replaced by pale yellowish white. Habits and
Habitat: Found along the banks of large ponds and rivers, usually sitting
among
emergent water
plants.
Breeding: Not
known. Flight
season: AugustDecember.
Distribution:
Western Ghats,
Northeast India,
extending to
Southeast Asia.
Photo. Raghu Anand
126
Black Bambootail: Male above and female below
127
SPREADWINGS
(FAMILY: LESTIDAE)
Emerald Spreadwing
preadwings are small to

medium sized
damselflies with iridescent
or non-iridescent markings
on head, thorax and
abdomen. Spreadwings rest
with their wings wide open.
The abdomen is long and
slender. They are found
throughout the world and
159 species are known.
Indian fauna is represented
by 25 species of which 8 are
recorded from peninsular
India. Spreadwings breed in
a variety of aquatic habitats
like marshes, ponds and
rarely in running waters.
Head of Emerald Spreadwing
92. EMERALD SPREADWING

(LESTES ELATUS)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 3436mm, Hindwing: 2324mm.Female: Abdomen:
34mm, Hindwing: 24mm.
sized brown damselfly with
narrow iridescent green
thoracic stripes. Male:
Eyes: Brown above,
torquise blue below.
Thorax: Dark brown
above, fading to white below. Upper side marked with a pair of narrow
iridescent green stripes. Legs: Pale greenish brown. Wings: Transparent.
Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Pale bluish green on sides. Upper side is
iridescent green or bronze, changing to dull black on terminal segments.
Female: Similar to male, but the ground colour is pale brown and
markings are less iridescent. Habits and Habitat: Common around tanks,
ponds and streams. Usually sits with open wings among plants. Though a
weak flier, it is very alert and difficult to approach. Breeding: Breed in
ponds, canals and tanks. Flight season: Throughout the year, however
very abundant during September-December months in grasslands.
Distribution: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
128
Emerald Spread Wing: Male above and female below
129
SPREADWINGS (LESTIDAE)
93. MALABAR SPREADWING

(LESTES MALABARICA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 2425mm, Hindwing: 21mm.

Hindwing: 22-23mm.
Description: A small brown
damselfly with broad iridescent
green thoracic stripes. Male:
Eyes: Turquoise blue, paler
beneath. Thorax: Bright
iridescent green above. Sides of
the thorax black. A dark
brown stripe is present medially and on sides. Underside is black covered by
pruinescence. Legs: Yellowish with a parallel pair of black stripes on outer
sides of femora. Wings: Transparent and smoky. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen:
Sides azure blue, dull iridescent green above. The segments 3-6 have a narrow
basal ring of blue and pale yellow ring. Remaining terminal segments are
black. Female: Very similar to male, however the ground colour more
greenish. The sides of the thorax brown with five black spots. The abdomen
is dull coppery above upto segment 6, then dull black. The 6th segment
partially, the sides of 9th and entire 10th segment is yellow. Habits and
Habitat: Makes short flight among bushes. Rarely flies above 1m. Perches on
dry twigs with open wings,
and slowly wags its tail.
Breeding: Tanks and
May-June. Distribution:
Western Ghats, Andaman
Islands and Chandigarh.
Coinciding with south
west monsoon there
appears to be a local
migration which is not
Malabar Spread Wing:
clearly known.
94. SAPPHIRE-EYED SPREADWING

(LESTES PRAEMORSUS)
Description: A small turquoise blue and metallic green spread wing with
sapphire blue eyes. Male: Face: Black and turquoise blue. Eyes: Sapphire blue.
Thorax: Glossy metallic green with zigzag bronze-green stripe on dorsal side.
This bronze stripe is boarded pale turquoise blue laterally. Underside is black.
Legs: Black, femora has bronzed outer surface. Wings: Transparent. Wing
spot: Black. Abdomen: Dark metallic green dorsally and pale blue
verntrally. Segments 3-7 has light blue basal rings. Eighth segment has
only a vestige of the
blue ring and segment
9th & 10th are pale
blue. Female:
Turquoise blue
colouration of males is
replaced by greenish
yellow and markings
in the thorax are more
distinct. Legs are
ochreous and
abdomen is greenish
yellow. Habits and
Habitat: Commonly
found in ponds,
marshes, and lakes.
Usually found perched
with open wings on
aquatic vegetation.
Breeding: Breeds
among aquatic
Sapphire-eyed Spreadwing
vegetation in marshes,
ponds and lakes. Flight season: Throughout the year. Distribution:
Throughout India and extend to south and South East Asia.
Photo. Manoj.P
130
131
GIANT SPREADWINGS
(FAMILY: SYNLESTIDAE)
Photo. K. V. Gururaj
iant Spreadwings are medium sized damselflies which keep their wings
wide open at rest. Usually they are metallic green coloured with long,
slender abdomen. Giant Spreadwings are restricted to montane and
submontane streams and they breed there. Worldwide, 41 species are
reported of which 6 are distributed within the Indian limits. All the six
species reported from India is distributed in eastern and western
Himalaya.This family is mainly distributed in Oriental and Australian region
except for one genus which is found in West Indies (Neotropics).
132

35-36mm.
Description: A large metallic
green spread wing found closely
associated with riparian
vegetation. Male: Face: Yellow and
metallic green. Eyes: Brown above
and greenish yellow below.
Thorax: Glossy metallic green with
bright yellow lateral stripe.
Underside is yellow. Legs: Yellow
and black. Wings: Transparent.
Wing spot: Pale yellowish in sub
adults and black in adults.
Abdomen: Dull metallic green with
black basal rings. Segments 9 &
Photo. K.V. Gururaj
95. GIANT EMERALD SPREADWING

(MEGALESTES MAJOR)
Photo: Ganden Lachungpa
Giant Emerald Spreadwing:

10 are pruinosed light

blue or white. Female: Is
similar to male. Habits
and Habitat: Usually
found perched with wings
half open among riparian
vegetation. Breeding:
Breeds in sandy streams.
Flight season: MayOctober. Distribution:
Found in Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Sikkim and Nepal up to an
altitude of 2500m.
133
SPREADWINGS (LESTIDAE)
GLORIES
(FAMILY: CALOPTERYGIDAE)
Photo. K.A.Subramainan
lories are large damselflies with broad head and conspicuous round eyes.
These iridescent coloured damselflies have broad rounded hindwing.
Wings are transparent, amber or iridescent coloured. Abdomen is longer than
the hindwing. Glories are found in temperate and tropical regions.
Worldwide 169 species are known. Within Indian limits 10 species are known
of which 3 species are found in peninsular India. Glories are associated with
forested streams and they breed in them.
Male Stream Glory
134
96. EMERALD ECHO

(ECHO MARGARITA)
Photo. Krushnamegh Kunte
Size: Male: Abdomen: 44-46 mm, Hind wing: 36-37mm. Female: Abdomen:
Description: A large metallic green and black damselfly with distinct white
wing spot. Male: Face: Black and metallic green. Eyes: Black above and grey
below. Thorax: Metallic green. Legs: Black. Wings: Rounded and transparent
with bluish iridescence. Wing tips are black. Wing spot: Milky white. In black
back ground of the wing the wing spot is very distinct. Abdomen: Dark
blackish brown and non metallic. Female: Similar to male in body and wing
colouration. Habits and Habitat: Found in forested streams. Usually found
perched on riparian vegetation. Breeding: In streams. Flight season: Not
known. Distribution: Found in Eastern India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Female Emerald Echo
135
GLORIES (CALOPTERYGIDAE)
97. STREAM GLORY

(NEUROBASIS CHINENSIS)
Size: Male:Abdomen: 45-50mm,

Abdomen: 44-50mm, Hind
wing: 36-40mm.
Blackish brown above, bluish
white below. Thorax: Iridescent
green with a coppery wash. Legs:
Long and lanky legs are dark
bronze with white outer stripe.
Wings: Rounded at tips.
Forewings transparent, tinted with pale yellowish green with emerald green
venation. Hindwings opaque, basal two thirds iridescent green or peacock
blue. Apical half is blackish brown with violet reflections and green iridescent
veins. Underside of hindwing uniformly blackish brown with dull
golden reflections. Wing spot: Absent in all wings. Abdomen: Iridescent green
above and on sides, Underside black. The 9th and 10th segments are whitish.
Female: Eyes: Brownish above, yellowish white below. Thorax: Similar to
males. Legs: Similar to males. Wings: Transparent and amber coloured. All
wings have a round creamy white central opaque spot on the edge of the
wing. Wing spot: Absent in forewings and creamy white in hindwings.
Abdomen: Dull iridescent green above and black below. Green metallic stripe
on sides in all segments bordered with black. Habits and Habitat: Common
in hill streams upto an altitude of
2250m. Commonly found between
500-1200m. Perches on emergent
boulders and fallen logs in streams.
Males flash its iridiscent green marking
of hind wing immediately after
alighting. Breeding: Female lays eggs
on submerged decaying logs in streams
during south west monsoon. Flight
season: May to November. Distribution:
Throughout forested landscapes of
Stream Glory Oriental region.
98. BLACK-TIPPED FOREST GLORY

(VESTALIS APICALIS)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 49-55mm, Hindwing: 36-39mm.Female: Abdomen: 4650mm, Hindwing: 38-40mm.
Description: Male: Eyes: Blackish brown above, yellowish white below.
Thorax: Metallic green above and on sides. The underside is yellowish white.
Legs: Blackish brown. Wings: transparent with amber tint and blue sheen.
Wing tips blackish brown. Wingspot:Absent Abdomen: Iridescent green or
blue, black underneath. Female: Resembles the male. The black markings on
wing tips are paler and less sharply defined. Abdomen is less iridescent green
and more coppery. Habits and Habitat: Commonly found along hill streams.
Large numbers usually rest among bushes in forest paths in association with
Clear-winged Forest Glory. Breeding: Breeds in forest streams. Flight season:
May to November. Distribution: Forested areas of Oriental region.
136
Black-tipped Forest Glory
137
GLORIES (CALOPTERYGIDAE)
99. CLEAR-WINGED FOREST GLORY

(VESTALIS GRACILIS)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 45-46mm, Hindwing: 34-38mm.Female: Abdomen:

43-50mm, Hindwing: 36-39mm
Description: A large iridescent green damselfly with transparent wings. Male:
Eyes: Dark brown above, greenish yellow below. Thorax: Iridescent emerald
green above, yellowish beneath. Legs: Pale to dark brown. Wings: transparent
with a blue sheen. Wingspot: Absent. Abdomen: Iridescent green or blue
above and black beneath. Female: Resembles males in colour and markings.
However, the abdomen is dull iridescent green. Habits and Habitat:
Commonly found along hill streams. Large numbers usually rest among
bushes in forest paths in association with Black-tipped Forest Glory.
Breeding: In forest streams. Flight season: May to November. In the western
side of the Western Ghats, they disperse to non forest areas during wet
season and can be sighted far away from forested areas. Distribution:
Throughout Oriental region.
Clear-winged Forest Glory
138
STREAM JEWELS
(FAMILY: CHLOROCYPHIDAE)
Photo:K.V.Gururaj
tream Jewels are small damselflies with large bulb like eyes and a
protruding face. Thorax is short and stout. The wings are transparent,
iridescent in males and transparent in females. Abdomen is cylindrical and
shorter than the hindwing. Stream Jewels are restricted the Old World
with 158 known species. Indian fauna is represented by 20 species, of
which 3 are found in peninsular India. Stream Jewels are associated with
forested streams and they breed in them.
Emerald Prince
139
STREAM JEWELS (CHLOROCYPHIDAE)
100. MYRISTICA SAPPHIRE

(CALOCYPHA LAIDLAWI)
Photo. E.KunhiKrishnan
Photo. David Raju

17-18mm, Hind wing:
20mm. Female:
Abdomen: 17mm, Hind
wing: 24mm
Description: An azure
blue and black damselfly
with vermilion marks on
the forehead and thorax.
Male: Face: Black
marked with vermilion
spots. Eyes: Black above,
brown below. Thorax: A prominent median vermilion stripe on black back.
Black and azure blue dorso-laterally with an azure blue spot at wing base.
Legs: First three segments black, remaining snow white. Wings: Transparent
with yellow tinted base. Well defined apical ends are glossy black with violet
reflections. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Azure blue, marked with dorsal
triangular black spots. Anal appendages are black. Female: The azure blue
and vermilion markings are replaced by bright pale ochreous. The forewings
are entirely transparent. Habits and Habitat: This rare and beautiful
damselfly is closely associated with Myristica swamps. Breeding: Breeds in
streams flowing through
the Myristica swamps.
Flight season: MayNovember. Distribution:
Endemic to southern
Western Ghats. The species
is patchily distributed in
the Myristica swamps of
Sampaje Ghat (Coorg),
Tamracherry (Kozhikode)
and Kolathupuzha
(Kollam).
Myristica Sapphire
140
101. RIVER HELIODOR

(LIBELLAGO LINEATA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 1416mm, Hindwing: 15-18mm.

Hindwing: 17-20mm
Description: A small black
and yellow damselfly with
black tipped transparent wing.
Male: Eyes: Dark brown above
and grey below. Thorax: Black
with yellow stripes above and
on sides. Legs: Black with
white outer surface. Wings: Transparent and amber tinted at the base. The
tips of the forewings black. Hindwings shorter than fore wing. Wingspot:
Absent in forewings, black in hind wings. Abdomen: Golden yellow with
black dumb bell shaped markings above. The segments 8-10 are black.
Female: Eyes: Brown above grey below. Thorax: Similar to male and markings
more extensive and dull. Legs: Yellow, femora lined extensively with brown.
Wings: Transparent with amber tint. Wing spot: Creamy white. Present in all
wings. Abdomen: Yellow, with black markings. The first segment has a large
square spot above. The segments 2-8 has a broad black patch above. This is
bisected by a narrow yellow line, which extend to the 9th segment and the last
segment is black. Habits and Habitat: Confined to hill streams and rivers of
forested landscapes.
Frequently sits in
emergent water plants
and overhanging bushes.
Breeding: Breed in hill
streams and rivers. Female
lays eggs on partially
submerged decaying
wood. Flight season:
Distribution: Oriental
River Heliodor - Male above and female below
region.
141
102. STREAM RUBY

(RHINOCYPHA BISIGNATA)
Photo:V.V.Sivan
Size: Male:Abdomen:
20mm, Hindwing: 2426mm.Female:
Abdomen: 16mm,
Hindwing: 22mm
black and red damselfly
with red iridescent
streaks on wings. Male:
Eyes: Blackish brown.
Thorax: Black thorax
with two triangular orange-red spots. On sides, it has a narrow rusty
stripe and below that another broken rusty stripe is also present. Legs:
Black with white outer surface. Wings: Transparent and amber tinted.
Forewings are tipped black with brilliant coppery sheen. Hindwings
black tipped with two series of elongated brilliant iridescence. Wing spot:
Black. Abdomen: Black, marked with yellow from segments 1-5. Female:
Eyes: Brownish black above, bluish grey below. Thorax: Similar to male but
orange red and rusty stripes more yellowish. Legs: Black with creamy white
centres. Wings: Transparent, tinted with yellow. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen:
Similar to male but dull coloured. Habits and Habitat: Very common in hill
streams. Males are very
conspicuous and hover
over streams. Frequently
sit on boulders and
twigs. Females are more
elusive. Breeding:
Breeds in hill streams.
Flight season:
Distribution: Hill
streams of peninsular
India.
Stream Ruby
103. PEACOCK JEWEL

(RHINOCYPHA FENESTRELLA)
Size: Male:
Abdomen: 19 mm,
Hind wing: 21mm.
Female: Abdomen:
17-19mm, Hind
wing: 24-28mm
Description: A
beautiful black
damselfly with
yellow lateral stripes
on thorax and violet
iridescent streaks on
wings. Male: Face:
Black. Eyes: Black
above, bluish grey
below. Thorax:
Peacock Jewel
Black with median
pale pink stripe and bright yellow stripes on sides. Underside of the
thorax has four yellow spots. Legs: Black, terminal segments pruinosed
white. Wings: Wing base transparent with deep amber tint, remaining
area glossy blue. Posterior boarder of upper forewing is brilliant
peacock blue. In the hind wings, violet iridescent streaks are restricted
into three sets of bands.
Wing spot: Black, pale blue beneath in the hind wing. Abdomen: Glossy
black with small bright yellow spot on each side of first segment.
Female: Black with bright ochreous spots and streaks on head. Thorax
has distinct spear shaped yellow spots below. Abdomen is black marked
with ochreous spots. Wings are smoky with yellow tinted base. Habits
and Habitat: Hill streams. Usually found perched on boulders and
riparian vegetation. Breeding: Breeds in streams. Flight season: Not
known. Distribution: Within Indian limits, the species is known from
Corbett National Park, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh. The
distribution extends to Myanmar, Malayasia, Malacca and Pulo Penang
islands towards east.
Photo.Praveen.J
142
104. STREAM SAPPHIRE

(RHINOCYPHA PERFORATA)
Photo.Praveen.J

16-18 mm, Hind
wing: 25mm. Female:
Abdomen: 18mm,
Hind wing: 26mm
and turquoise blue
damselfly with a pink
triangle at dorsal
anterior end of the
thorax. Male: Face:
Velvety black. Eyes:
Black above, bluish
Stream Sapphire
grey below. Thorax:
Glossy black with a
dorsal triangular light pink spot. This is bordered laterally by short and broad
azure blue stripes. Lateral sides have azure blue stripes, which extends
beneath. Underside has 2-4 yellow spots. Legs: Black, terminal segments of
two posterior pair of legs pruinosed white. Wings: Basal half of the hind wing
transparent with deep amber tint, remaining area opaque black with two
series of iridescent spots. Opaque black area is restricted to apical part of the
forewing leaving a transparent bluish-green reflecting area towards the
boarder. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Glossy black with triangular bright
azure blue spot on each side. Female: Markings similar to male, but yellow
instead of azure blue. Wings are transparent with uniform greenish yellow
and blackish brown wing spot. Habits and Habitat: Hill streams of eastern
Himalaya. Usually found perched on boulders and riparian vegetation.
Breeding: Breeds in streams. Flight season: Not known. Distribution: Within
Indian limits, the species is known from Arunachal Pradesh. The distribution
extends to Myanmar and Thailand towards east.
143
105. BLACK EMPEROR

(RHINOCYPHA QUADRIMACULATA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 25 mm, Hind wing: 27mm. Female: Abdomen: 21mm,
Hind wing: 31mm
Description: A black damselfly with pale pink mid thoracic stripe.
Male: Face: Black. Eyes: Black. Thorax: Black with median pale pink stripe
and faint yellow stripes on sides. Legs: Black, terminal segments pruinosed
white. Wings: Basal one third of forewing and hindwing transparent with
yellow tint. Remaining two thirds are glossy black with violet iridescent
streaks. In the hind wings, violet iridescent streaks are restricted into two sets
of bands at middle and apical end. Wing spot: Black with white outer edge.
Abdomen: Black and unmarked. Female: Black with bright ochreous spots
and streaks on head, thorax and abdomen. Wings uniform brown with black
wing spot, which has a yellow clouding on the outer part. Habits and
Habitat: Hill streams of Himalaya. Usually found perched on boulders and
riparian vegetation. Breeding: Breeds in streams. Flight season: May-July.
Distribution: Usually found above 2500m in Himalayas. Within Indian
limits, the species is known from Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and
Arunachal Pradesh. The distribution extends to Thailand towards east.
Photo. Sameer Ali
144
Black Emperor
145
106. EMERALD PRINCE

(RHINOCYPHA UNIMACULATA)
Photo. K.V.Gururaj
Size: Male: Abdomen: 24 mm, Hind wing: 27-30mm. Female: Abdomen:

22mm, Hind wing: 31-32mm
Description: A large black damselfly with yellow lateral stripes on thorax and
peacock green iridescent band on hind wings. Male: Face: Black. Eyes: Black
above, bluish grey below. Thorax: Glossy black with fine bright yellow stripes
on back and sides. Legs: Black, terminal segments of two posterior pair of legs
pruinosed white. Wings: Wing base transparent with deep amber tint,
remaining area opaque black. Upper side of fore and hind wing is brilliant
coppery red. Underside of hind wing has an iridescent peacock blue or green
band. Wing spot:
Blackish brown, outer
half paler. Abdomen:
Glossy black with
small bright yellow
spot on each side of
first to third segment.
Segments 1-6 has
yellow ventral stripe
on either side. Female:
Markings and
colouration are similar
to male, but more
Emerald Prince
extensive. Six small
yellow spots are
present beneath the thorax. Wings are uniform amber brown. Abdomen is
black marked with yellow dorsal, lateral and ventral stripes. Habits and
Habitat: Hill streams of Himalaya. Usually found perched on boulders and
riparian vegetation. Breeding: Breeds in streams. Flight season: Not known.
Distribution: Within Indian limits, the species is known from Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Assam. The distribution
extends to Nepal towards north.
146
TORRENT DARTS
(FAMILY: EUPHAEIDAE)
orrent Darts are large damselflies with large round eyes. The wings are
transparent, tinted or with iridescent markings. Forewings are long and
narrow and hindwings broad and rounded. The hindwings are shorter than
the forewings and abdomen. The abdomen is longer than the hindwings in
males and shorter or of the same length in the females. Species of this family
are found predominantly in the Oriental region. Worldwide, 65 species are
known. Within Indian limits, 19 species are recorded, of which 4 are found
in peninsular India.
Malabar Torrent Dart
147
TORRENT DARTS (EUPHAEIDAE)
107. BLUE BAYADERA

(BAYADERA INDICA)
Photo. K.V.Gururaj
Photo. K.V.Gururaj
Size: Male: Abdomen: 3840mm, Hind wing: 34mm.

Hind wing: 37mm
Description: A large
turquoise blue and black
damselfly with brown wing
tips. Male: Face: Black
marked with turquoise
blue spots and stripes.
Eyes: Dark brown above,
bluish grey below. Thorax:
Black with bright greenish
yellow and turquoise blue stripes on back and sides respectively. Legs:
Black. Wings: Wings transparent with smoky black tip. Wing spot: Black
and elongated. Abdomen: Black with medial narrow yellow stripe from
segments 1-7. Lateral stripes greenish yellow and narrow on segments 3-5
and as spots on 6th and 7th segment. Segments 8-10 are without any
markings. Female: Similar to male, but more robust. Wings are
transparent with an amber tinged base and without apical smoky
markings. Habits and Habitat: Hill streams of Himalaya. Usually found
perched on boulders and
riparian vegetation.
Breeding: Breeds in streams.
Flight season: Not known.
Distribution: Within Indian
limits, the species is known
from Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Sikkim,
Darjeeling, Assam and
Arunachal Pradesh. The
distribution extends from
Male Blue Bayadera
South China towards east.
148
108. BLACK TORRENT DART

(DYSPHAEA ETHELA)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 38mm, Hindwing: 33mm.Female: Abdomen: 32mm,

Hindwing: 33mm.
Description: A large black damselfly with amber coloured wings. Male: Eyes:
Black above, pale bluish grey below. Thorax: Velvety black. Legs: Black.Wings:
Transparent and amber coloured. Wingspot: Long and black. Abdomen: Black
with very faint yellow rings at the end of segments. Female: Eyes: Dark
olivaceous brown above, bluish grey beneath. Thorax: Black, marked with
bright yellow. Two yellow stripes on sides enclose a black area. Three yellow
stripes on sides separated by black area. Legs: Black, with yellow marks within.
Wings: Transparent and covered with amber colour. Wing spot: Long black.
Abdomen: Black with more pronounced yellow markings. Habits and
Habitat: Torrential hill streams from 300-1000m ASL. This damselfly is rare
and usually sits in the middle of streams on boulders or emergent twigs. If
disturbed flies high up to riparian trees. Breeding: Not known. Flight season:
June to December. Distribution: Western Ghats from Agastyamalai to
Aghanashini river in Uttara Kannara district. This species is also known from
the Eastern Ghats and central India.
Black Torrent Dart
149
109. TRAVANCORE TORRENT DART

(EUPHAEA CARDINALIS)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 41-45mm, Fore wing: 39-42mm Hind wing: 36-40mm.
Female: Abdomen: 36mm, Hind wing: 37mm
Description: A large bright ochre and black damselfly with half of the
underside of hind wings iridescent blue. Male: Face: Black marked with
bright ochre spots. Eyes: Black above, dark reddish brown below. Thorax:
Black backed with bright ochreous stripes. Sides of the thorax is bright
ochreous with a reddish brown oblique spot. Legs: Red and terminal segments
are dark reddish brown. Wings: Fore wings transparent and amber tinted.
Hind wings are broader than other torrent darts and black opaque area
extends from mid wing to the tip. This has a coppery red iridescence on the
upper side and iridescent blue on the under side. Wing spot: Black and
elongated. Abdomen: Segments 1-6 red, remaining black. Female: Bright
ochre of male is replaced by yellow in females. Wings are transparent and pale
brown, which turns into darker brown towards the tip. Abdomen is black
with yellow stripes on sides. Habits and Habitat: Usually found perched on
boulders and riparian vegetation of second order streams. Breeding: Breeds in
hill streams. Flight season: May-September. Distribution: Hill streams south
of Palghat gap in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Travancore Torrent Dart
110. NILGIRI TORRENT DART

(EUPHAEA DISPAR)
Size: Male:Abdomen: 3947mm, Hind wing: 3240mm, Fore wing: 3542mm. Female: Abdomen:
Black above, bluish grey
below. Thorax:Black, marked with bright orange red. Orange stripes on sides
fused in front and behind to enclose a long oval black spot. Legs: Bright yellow,
outer surface of tibia and femora are reddish. Wings: Transparent, smoky light
brown tips of forewings tipped with blackish brown. Tips of hindwing broadly
black. Though the
tip appears black it is iridescent red on upper side and blue on lower side. Wing
spot: Black. Abdomen: Bright orange red. Segment joints and apical end of
segment 6 to the end black. Female: Thorax: Markings similar to males. However
the bright orange red of male is replaced by dull yellow. Legs: Similar to male,
but more blackish. Wings: Transparent and uniformly covered with brown. In
old individuals the hindwing tip is brownish black. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen:
Black, marked with bright yellow. The first segment is yellow, and segments 2-7
have longitudinal yellow stripes on either sides. The 8th and 9th segment is
marked with black square spots on sides. The last segment is unmarked. Habits
and Habitat: Found in streams flowing through evergreen forests. Males perch
on boulders and dry twigs near streams. They fly up to riparian trees when
disturbed. Males prominently
display their copper red
markings of forewings
immediately after alighting.
Breeding: Streams flowing
through evergreen forest.
Flight season: MayNovember. Distribution:
Endemic to Western Ghats,
Nilgiri Torrent Dart between Nilgris to Udupi.
150
111. MALABAR TORRENT DART

(EUPHAEA FRASERI)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 3641mm, Hind wing: 29-35mm,

Fore wing: 34-38mm.
Hind wing: 31-33mm.
Description: Male: Eyes: Dark
brown above, pale brown
below. Thorax: Black with
azure blue stripe above. The
two stripes on sides are rusty
and encloses an oval black
spot. Underside is rusty. Legs: Coral red. Wings: Transparent. Hindwings are
markedly shorter than the forewings. Forewings are tipped with brown.
Hindwings are broadly tipped with iridescent coppery above and blue below.
Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: Upto segment 6 coral red. The 7th segment has
black tip and remaining terminal segments are black. Female: Similar to male,
however the azure blue and red area of thorax and abdomen are replaced by
dull yellow. Eyes: Dark brown above and bluish grey below. Legs: Greyish
yellow. Wings: Transparent and covered with blackish brown. Hindwing
without iridescent apices of males. Wing spot: Black. Abdomen: The segments
1-7 are black above and it is yellow on sides and below, with a black
longitudinal stripe. The terminal segments are black with a yellow spot on
segment 10. Habits and Habitat: Common in hill streams from about 90m1000m. Males are very common and can be seen using same perch for days
together. Females are rarer.
Males open wings and
prominently display the
iridescent copper markings of
the upper hind wing.
streams and larvae can be
collected throughout the year.
Flight season: May to
December. Distribution:
Restricted to Western Ghats
south of Goa.
Male and Female MalabarTorrent Darts
151
152
REFERENCES
FOR
IDENTIFICATION OF ODONATES OF THE INDIAN
SUBCONTINENT:
1. Fraser, F.C (1936). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and
Burma. Odonata. Vols I-III. Taylor and Francis Ltd., London.
2. Terrence de Fonseka (2000). The Dragonflies of Sri Lanka. WHT
Publications (Private) Limited, 95 Cotta Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka.
ISBN 955-9114-19-0.
3. Mitra, T.R. (2002). Geographical distribution of Odonata (Insecta) of
Eastern India. Memoirs of the Zoological Survey of India. Vol.19 (1):1208.
4. Emiliyamma, K.G., Radhakrishnan, C. and Jaffer Palot, Muhamed
(2005). A Pictorial Handbook on-Common Dragonflies and Damselflies
of Kerala: 1-67. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.
5. Subramanian, K.A. (2005). Damselflies and dragonflies of peninsular
India-A field Guide. E-book of the Project Lifescape. 118pp <http://
ias.ac.in/initiat/sci_ed/lifescape/odonates.html>
6. Emiliyamma, K.G., Radhakrishnan, C. and Jaffer Palot, Muhamed
(2007). Odonata (Insecta) of Kerala: 1-243. Zoological Survey of India,
Kolkata.
FOR
UPDATED CHECKLIST AND NOMENCLATURE:
1. Davies, D.A.L and Tobin, P. (1984, 1985). The dragonflies of the world:
A systematic list of the extant species of Odonata. Vol. I&II. Soc. Internat.
Odonatol. Rapid Comm. (Suppl.), Nos.3&5. Pages 1-127&1-151.
2. Prasad, M and Varshney, R.K (1995). A checklist of the Odonata of
India including data on larval studies. Oriental Insects, 29:385-428.
3. Schorr, M., Lindeboom, M. and Paulson, D (2006). World Odonata
(Insecta) Checklist. Slater Museum of Natural History, United States of
America.
REFERENCES
FOR
DETAILED ODONATE BIOLOGY:
1. Philip S. Corbet (1999). Dragonflies -Behaviour and ecology of

Odonata. Cornell University Press.
2. Philip S. Corbet (1980). Biology of Odonata. Annual Review of
Entomology, 25:189-217.
Websites related to Odonata:
http://asia-dragonfly.net/
http://www.thaibugs.com
http://www.geocities.cpm/indianodonata/index.html
http://www.odonata.jp/index.html
http://www.bechly.de/index.html
http://powell.colgate.edu/wda/dragonfly.html
http://dragonflyindia.yahoogroups.com
153
154
GLOSSARY
OF
TERMS
Biotope: Refers to habitat in broad sense. See habitat

Clutch: Complement of oocytes that mature together to produce a batch of
eggs, which are usually laid together.
Conspecific: Belonging to the same species.
Courtship: A set of behavioural interactions between male and female that
facilities copulations; usually refers to displays by males.
Crepuscular: Active during twilight hours.
Dimorphism: Occurrence of two forms of individuals of a species.
Dispersal: Spatial displacement of individuals, that causes them to become
further apart.
Diurnal: Active during day.
Ecosystem: Natural unit consisting of interacting living and non living parts.
Eclosion: See emergence.
Ectoparasite: Parasite living on the host. Also see parasite and parasitoid.
Emergence: Events associated with emergence of adult from larva.
Endemic: Restricted to a particular geographic area.
Feeding: Behaviour that follows prey capture.
Flight season: Period of the year during which reproductively mature adults
are active.
Foliate: Leaf like.
Foraging: Behaviour that increases the likelihood of prey capture.
Guarding: Behaviour of male when escorting a female and usually while she is
ovipositing.
Habitat: Place where a given species or community lives.
Hyaline: Transparent, colourless.
Instar: Stage of larva between two successive moults.
Larva: Development stage between egg and adult.
GLOSSARY
OF
TERMS
Microhabitat: Specific part of a habitat in which an individual is normally

found during a specific stage of its life cycle or when performing a
particular activity.
Migration: Spatial displacement of population from emergence site to a
different habitat where reproduction ensues. Migration may be
facultative or obligate and migrating individuals may or may not travel in
aggregations.
Monotypic: Genus with only one species.
Myristica swamps: Patches of evergreen swamp forests dominated by species
of nutmeg family (Myristicacea).
Nocturnal: During night.
Obelisk posture: Position adopted by perching dragonflies with abdomen
pointing vertically upward, usually when the sun is overhead.
Ovipositor: Extension of female genetalia involved in oviposition.
Ovipostion: Act of laying eggs.
Parasitism: Interaction between species in which one species-the parasitelives in or on the other species-the host-from which it is benefited; the
host is not necessarily killed by the interaction.
Parasitoid: Larvae of insects which parasite other insects and kill host.
Pruinescence: Bloom on body surface, more often in males, caused by
supracuticular pigment that reflects ultraviolet light.
Riparian: Along the bank of a river or lake.
Site fidelity: Duration of site residentiality.
Tandem linkage: Physical connection between male and female before
copulation formed by male holding female by prothorax or head with his
anal appendages.
Teneral: Freshly emerged adult.
Wetland: Ecosystems of fresh or brackish water with distinct set of plant and
animal community. Ecosystems such as puddles, pools, ponds, tanks,
lakes, reservoirs, canals, streams, rivers, marshes, paddy fields and
estuaries are wetlands.
Wheel position: Copulation.
155
156
CHECKLIST
AMSELFLIES
DRAGONFLIES AND
(ODONATA) OF INDIA
OF
I. SUBORDER:ANISOPTERA
1. FAMILY: AESHNIDAE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Aeshna flavifrons Lichtenstein, 1976

Aeshna juncea Bartenef, 1929
Aeshna mixta Latreille, 1805
Aeshna petalura Martin, 1906
Anaciaeschna donaldi Fraser, 1922b
Anaciaeschna jaspidea Burmeister,
1839*
Anaciaeschna kashimirensis Singh
& Baijal, 1954
Anax guttatus Burmeister, 1839*
Anax immaculifrons Rambur, 1842*
Anax imperator Leach, 1815
Anax indicus Lieftinck, 1942
Anax nigrofasciatus Fraser, 1935
Anax parthenope Selys, 1839
Cephalaeschna acutifrons Martin,
1909
Cephalaeschna klapperichi
Schmidt, 1961
Cephalaeschna masoni Martin, 1909
Cephalaeschna orbifrons Selys,
1883b
Cephalaeschna viridifrons
Fraser,1922d
Gynacantha albistyla Fraser,1927
Gynacantha andamanae
Yeh&Veenakumari, 2000
Gynacantha apicalis Fraser,1927
Gynacantha arnaudi Asahina,1984
Gynacantha bainbriggei Fraser,1922e
Gynacantha bayadera Selys,1854*
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Gynacantha biharica Fraser, 1927

Gynacantha dravida Lieftinck,1960*
Gynacantha khasiaca MacLachlan,
1896
Gynacantha odoneli Fraser,1922c
Gynacantha rammohani Mitra &
Lahiri,1975
Gynacantha rotundata Navas,1930
Gynacanthaeschna sikkima
Karsch,1891
Heliaeschna crassa Krger, 1899
Heliaeschna uninervula Martin,
1909
Hemianax ephippiger Burmeister,
1839
Oligoaeschna andamani Chhotani,
Lahiri&Mitra, 1983
Oligoaeschna khasiana Lieftinck,
1968
Oligoaeschna martini Laidlaw, 1921
Periaeschna flinti Asahina, 1978
Periaeschna lebasi Navas, 1930
Periaeschna magdalena Martin,
1909
Periaeschna nocturnalis Fraser, 1927
Periaeschna unifasciata Fraser, 1935b
Petaliaeschna flecheri Fraser, 1927
Planaeschna intersedens Martin,
1909
Polycanthagyna erythromelas
McLachlan, 1896
Polycanthagyna ornithocephala
McLachlan, 1896
Tetracanthagyna waterhousei
McLachlan, 1898
CHECKLIST
OF
DRAGONFLIES
75
76
Chlorogomphus atkinsoni Selys, 1878
Chlorogomphus brittoi Navas, 1934 77
78
Chlorogomphus campioni Fraser,
79
1924*
80
Chlorogomphus fraseri St.Quentin,
81
1936
Chlorogomphus mortoni Fraser, 82
1936a
Chlorogomphus olympicus Fraser,
5.
1933b
83
Chlorogomphus preciosus Fraser, 1924
84
Chlorogomphus schmidti Asahina,
85
1986
86
Chlorogomphus selysi Fraser, 1929c
87
Chlorogomphus usudai Ishida, 1996
88
Chlorogomphus xanthoptera Fraser,
89
1920
2. FAMILY: CHLOROGOMPHIDAE
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
3. FAMILY: CORDULEGASTERIDAE
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
Anotogaster basalis Selys,1854

Anotogaster nipalensis Selys, 1854
Cordulegaster brevistigma Selys,
1854
Cordulegaster parvistigma Selys,
1873
Neallogaster annandalei Fraser, 1923
Neallogaster hermionae Fraser,1927
Neallogaster latifrons Selys,1878c
Neallogaster ornata Asahina, 1982
Neallogaster schmidti Asahina,1982
4. FAMILY: CORDULIIDAE
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
AND AMSELFLIES
Hemicordulia asiatica Selys, 1878a

Idionyx corona Fraser,1921 d
Idionyx galeata Fraser,1924e*
Idionyx imbricata Fraser,1926a
Idionyx intricata Fraser,1926a
Idionyx minima Fraser,1931a
Idionyx nadganiensis Fraser,1924c
(ODONATA)
Idionyx nilgiriensis (Fraser,1918)

Idionyx optata Selys, 1878
Idionyx periyashola Fraser,1939
Idionyx rhinoceroides Fraser,1934a
Idionyx saffronata Fraser,1924c
Idionyx stevensi Fraser,1924c
Idionyx travancorensis Fraser 1931a
Somatochlora daviesi Lieftinck,
1977b
FAMILY: GOMPHIDAE
Acrogomphus fraseri Laidlaw,1925

Acrogomphus mohani Sahani,1964a
Anisogomphus bivittatus Selys,1854
Anisogomphus caudalis Fraser, 1926b
Anisogomphus occipitalis Selys, 1854*
Anisogomphus orites Laidlaw,1922a
Anormogomphus heteropterus Selys,
1854
90 Anormogomphus kiritschenkoi
Bartenef, 1913
91 Asiagomphus nilgiricus Laidlaw,
1922a
92 Asiagomphus odoneli Fraser,1922b
93 Asiagomphus personatus Selys, 1873b
94 Burmagomphus cauvericus Fraser,
1926b
95 Burmagomphus hasimaricus Fraser,
1926b
96 Burmagomphus laidlawi Fraser,
1924e
97 Burmagomphus pyramidalis Laidlaw,
1922a
98 Burmagomphus sivalikensis Laidlaw,
1922a
99 Burmagomphus vermicularis Martin,
1904
100 Cyclogomphus heterostylus Selys,
1854
101 Cyclogomphus vesiculosus Selys,
1873b
157
158
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
Cyclogomphus wilkinsi Fraser,1926a

Cyclogomphus ypsilon Selys,1854
Davidioides martini Fraser,1924e*
Davidius aberrans Selys,1873b
Davidius davidii Selys,1878
Davidius delineatus Fraser,1926
Davidius kumaonensis Fraser,1926
Davidius malloryi Fraser,1926
Davidius zallorensis Hagen in Selys,
1878
Dubitogomphus bidentatus Fraser,
1930
Gomphidia fletcheri Fraser,1923d
Gomphidia ganeshi Chotani, Lahiri
& Mitra,1983
Gomphidia kodaguensis Fraser,
1923d
Gomphidia platyceps Fraser, 1953
Gomphidia t-nigrum Selys, 1854
Gomphidia williamsoni Fraser, 1923
Heliogomphus kalarensis Fraser,
1934b
Heliogomphus promelas Selys, 1873
Heliogomphus selysi Fraser, 1925
Heliogomphus spirillus Fraser,1922e
Ictinogomphus angulosus Selys,
1854
Ictinogomphus atrox Selys,1854
Ictinogomphus distinctus Ram,1985
Ictinogomphus kishori Ram,1985
Ictinogomphus pertinax Selys,1854
Ictinogomphus rapax Rambur, 1842*
Macrogomphus abnormis Selys,1884
Macrogomphus annulatus Selys,
1854*
Macrogomphus montanus Selys,
1869a
Macrogomphus seductus Fraser,1926
Macrogomphus wynaadicus Fraser,
1924e
133 Megalogomphus bicornutus Fraser,

1922e
134 Megalogomphus flavicolor Fraser,
1923d
135 Megalogomphus hannyngtoni Fraser,
1923d
136 Megalogomphus smithii Selys,1854
137 Megalogomphus superbus Fraser,
1931a
138 Merogomphus longistigma Fraser,
1922
139 Merogomphus martini Fraser,1922e
140 Microgomphus chelifer Selys,1858
141 Microgomphus souteri Fraser,1924e
142 Microgomphus torquatus Selys,1854
143 Microgomphus verticalis Selys,1873b
144 Nepogomphus modestus Selys,1878b
145 Nepogomphus walli Fraser,1924
146 Nihonogomphus indicus Lahiri,1987
147 Onychogomphus acinaces Laidlaw,
1922a
148 Onychogomphus biforceps Selys,
1878*
149 Onychogomphus bistrigatus Hagen in
Selys, 1854
150 Onychogomphus cacharicus Frasear,
1924d
151 Onychogomphus duaricus Fraser,
1924
152 Onychogomphus grammicus
Rambur, 1842
153 Onychogomphus maculivertex Selys,
1891
154 Onychogomphus malabarensis
Fraser, 1924e
155 Onychogomphus meghalayanus
Lahiri, 1987
156 Onychogomphus nilgiriensis Fraser,
1922b*
157 Onychogomphus risi Fraser,1922e*
CHECKLIST
OF
DRAGONFLIES
158 Onychogomphus saundersii Selys,

1854
159 Onychogomphus schmidti Fraser,
1937
160 Onychogomphus striatus Fraser,1924a
161 Onychogomphus thienemanni
Schmidt, 1934
162 Ophiogomphus cerastis Selys, 1854
163 Ophiogomphus reductus Calvert,
1898
164 Paragomphus echinoccipitalis Fraser,
1922e
165 Paragomphus lindgreni Fraser, 1923
166 Paragomphus lineatus Selys, 1850*
167 Perissogomphus stevensi Laidlaw,
1922a
168 Phaenandrogomphus aureus Laidlaw,
1922a
169 Platygomphus dolabratus Selys, 1854
170 Stylogomphus inglisi Fraser, 1922e
6 FAMILY: LIBELLULIDAE
171 Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842*
172 Aethriamanta brevipennis Rambur,
1842*
173 Agrionoptera dorothea Fraser, 1927
174 Agrionoptera insignis Rambur, 1842
175 Amphithemis curvistyla Selys, 1891
176 Amphithemis vacillans Selys,1891
177 Brachydiplax chalybea Brauer, 1868*
178 Brachydiplax farinosa Krger, 1902
179 Brachydiplax sobrina Rambur, 1842*
180 Brachythemis contaminata Fabricius,
1793*
181 Bradinopyga geminata Rambur,
1842*
182 Bradinopyga saintjohanni Baijal&
Agarwal, 1956
183 Camacinia gigantea Brauer, 1867
184 Cratilla lineata Foerster,1903*
AND AMSELFLIES
(ODONATA)
185 Crocothemis erythreae Brull, 1832

186 Crocothemis misrai Baijal & Agarwal,
1956
187 Crocothemis servilia Drury, 1770*
188 Diplacodes lefebvrii Rambur,1842*
189 Diplacodes nebulosa Fabricius, 1793*
190 Diplacodes trivialis Rambur,1842
191 Epithemis mariae Laidlaw,1915b*
192 Hydrobasileus croceus Brauer, 1867*
193 Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi Fraser,
1924e*
194 Hylaeothemis gardeneri Fraser,1927
195 Indothemis carnatica Fabricius, 1798
196 Indothemis limbata Campion,1923
197 Lathrecista asiatica Fabricius, 1798*
198 Libellula quadrimaculata Schmidt,
1961
199 Lyriothemis acigastra Selys,1878
200 Lyriothemis bivittata Rambur,1842
201 Lyriothemis tricolor Ris, 1919
202 Macrodiplax cora Brauer,1867
203 Nannophya katrainensis Singh, 1955
204 Nannophya pygmaea Rambur,1842
205 Nesoxenia lineata Selys, 1879a
206 Neurothemis fluctuans Fabricius,
1793
207 Neurothemis fulvia Drury, 1773*
208 Neurothemis intermedia Rambur,
1842*
209 Neurothemis ramburii Brauer,1866
210 Neurothemis tullia Drury, 1773*
211 Onychothemis testacea Ris,1912*
212 Orthetrum anceps Schneider, 1845
213 Orthetrum brunneum Fonscolombe,
1837
214 Orthetrum cancellatum Linnaeus,
1758
215 Orthetrum chandrabali Mehrotra,
1961
159
160
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
Orthetrum chrysis Selys, 1891*

Orthetrum ganeshii Mehrotra, 1961
Orthetrum glaucum Brauer, 1865*
Orthetrum guptai Baijal,1955
Orthetrum japonicum McLachlan,
1894
Orthetrum luzonicum Brauer, 1868*
Orthetrum martensi Asahina, 1978a
Orthetrum pruinosum Rambur,
1842*
Orthetrum sabina Drury, 1770*
Orthetrum taeniolatum Schneider,
1845
Orthetrum triangulare Selys, 1878*
Palpopleura sexmaculata Fabricius,
1787*
Pantala flavescens Fabricius, 1798*
Potamarcha congener Rambur,
1842*
Pseudotramea prateri Fraser, 1920b
Rhodothemis rufa Rambur, 1842*
Rhyothemis obsolescens Kirby, 1889
Rhyothemis plutonia Selys, 1883*
Rhyothemis triangularis Kirby, 1889*
Rhyothemis variegata Linnaeus,
1763*
Selysiothemis nigra VanderLinden,
1825
Sympetrum commixtum Selys, 1884
Sympetrum durum Bartenef, 1916
Sympetrum fonscolombii Selys, 1840
Sympetrum haematoneura Fraser,
1924
Sympetrum himalayanum Navas,
1934
Sympetrum hypomelas Selys, 1884
Sympetrum meridionale Selys, 1841
Sympetrum orientale Selys, 1883
Sympetrum vulgatum Bartenef,
1915
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
Tetrathemis platyptera Selys, 1878*

Tholymis tillarga Fabricius, 1798*
Tramea basilaris Kirby,1889*
Tramea eurybia Selys,1878
Tramea limbata Rambur,1842*
Tramea virginia Rambur, 1842
Trithemis aurora Burmeister, 1839*
Trithemis festiva Rambur, 1842*
Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891*
Trithemis pallidinervis Kirby, 1889*
Urothemis signata Rambur, 1842*
Zygonyx iris Selys,1869*
Zygonyx torrida Kirby,1889
Zyxomma obtusum Albarda,1881
Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur,
1842*
7 FAMILY: MACROMIIDAE
261 Epophthalmia frontalis Selys, 1871*
262 Epophthalmia vittata Burmeister,
1839
263 Epophthalmia vittigera Rambur,
1842
264 Macromia annaimalaiensis Fraser,
1931a
265 Macromia bellicosa Fraser, 1924c
266 Macromia cingulata Rambur, 1842
267 Macromia cupricincta Fraser, 1924
268 Macromia ellisoni Fraser,1924*
269 Macromia flavicincta Selys, 1874
270 Macromia flavocolorata Fraser, 1922c
271 Macromia flavovittata Fraser,1935a
272 Macromia ida Fraser,1924c
273 Macromia indica Fraser,1924c
274 Macromia irata Fraser,1924c
275 Macromia moorei Selys,1874
276 Macromia pallida Fraser,1924
277 Macromia whitei Selys,1871
278 Macromidia donaldi Fraser,1924a
CHECKLIST
OF
DRAGONFLIES
AND AMSELFLIES
(ODONATA)
II SUBORDER: ANISOZYGOPTERA 11. FAMILY: COENAGRIONIDAE

303
304
279 Epiophlebia laidlawi Tillyard, 1921 305
306
307
III. SUBORDER:ZYGOPTERA
308
309
9. FAMILY:CALOPTERYGIDAE
310
280 Caliphaea confusa Hagen in Selys,
311
1859
281 Echo margarita Selys,1853*
312
282 Matrona basilaris Selys, 1879
313
283 Neurobasis chinensis Linnaeus, 1758* 314
284 Vestalis apicalis Selys, 1873*
315
285 Vestalis gracilis Rambur, 1842*
316
286 Vestalis smaragdina Selys, 1879
317
8. FAMILY: EPIOPHLEBIDAE
10. FAMILY:CHLOROCYPHIDAE
318
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
319
320
321
322
323
324
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
Calocypha laidlawi Fraser,1924e*

Indocypha vittata Selys, 1891
Libellago lineata Burmeister, 1839*
Rhinocypha biforata Selys, 1859
Rhinocypha bisignata Selys,1853*
Rhinocypha cuneata Selys,1853
Rhinocypha fenestrella Rambur,
1842*
Rhinocypha ignipennis Selys,1879
Rhinocypha immaculata Selys,1879b
Rhinocypha perforata Selys, 1879*
Rhinocypha quadrimaculata Selys,
1853*
Rhinocypha spuria Selys,1879
Rhinocypha trifasciata Selys, 1853
Rhinocypha trimaculata Selys, 1853
Rhinocypha unimaculata Selys,
1853*
Rhinocypha vitrinella Fraser,1935a
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
Aciagrion approximans Selys,1876a

Aciagrion azureum Fraser,1922e
Aciagrion hisopa Selys, 1876
Aciagrion occidentale Laidlaw, 1919
Aciagrion olympicum Laidlaw,1919
Aciagrion pallidum Selys, 1891
Aciagrion tillyardi Laidlaw, 1919
Agriocnemis clauseni Fraser, 1922e
Agriocnemis corbeti Kumar &
Prasad, 1978
Agriocnemis dabreui Fraser, 1919c
Agriocnemis femina Brauer, 1868
Agriocnemis keralensis Peters, 1981
Agriocnemis lacteola Selys, 1877
Agriocnemis pieris Laidlaw, 1919*
Agriocnemis pygmaea Rambur,
1842*
Agriocnemis splendidissima Laidlaw,
1919*
Archibasis oscillans Selys, 1877
Argiocnemis rubescens Selys, 1877
Cercion calamorum Ris,1916
Cercion malayanum Selys, 1876
Ceriagrion azureum Selys, 1891
Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Brauer,
1865*
Ceriagrion coeruleumLaidlaw, 1919
Ceriagrion coromandelianum
Fabricius, 1798*
Ceriagrion fallax Lieftinck, 1927*
Ceriagrion olivaceum Laidlaw, 1914*
Ceriagrion rubiae Laidlaw, 1916*
Coenagrion kashmirum Chowdhary
& Das,1975
Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier,
1840
Enallagma immsi Laidlaw, 1913
Enallagma insula Fraser,1920c
161
162
334 Enallagma parvum Selys, 1876

335 Enallagma risi Schmidt,1961
336 Himalagrion exclamatione Frasaer,
1919
337 Himalagrion pithoragarhicum
Sahni,1964b
338 Ischnura aurora Brauer, 1865*
339 Ischnura dorothea Fraser,1924e
340 Ischnura elegans Vander Linden,
1820
341 Ischnura forcipata Morton,1907
342 Ischnura immsi Laidlaw, 1913
343 Ischnura inarmata Calvert,1898
344 Ischnura nigriceps Fraser,1924d
345 Ischnura patricia Fraser,1924e
346 Ischnura rubilio Selys,1876a
347 Ischnura rufostigma Selys, 1876
348 Ischnura senegalensis Rambur, 1842*
349 Mortonagrion aborense Laidlaw,
1914
350 Mortonagrion varralli Fraser,1920*
351 Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865*
352 Onychargia indica Sahni, 1964b
353 Pseudagrion andamanicum Fraser,
1924
354 Pseudagrion australasiae Selys, 1876
355 Pseudagrion bidentatum Morton,
1907
356 Pseudagrion decorum Rambur, 1842
357 Pseudagrion hypermelas Selys,1876
358 Pseudagrion indicum Fraser, 1924*
359 Pseudagrion laidlawi Fraser, 1922
360 Pseudagrion malabaricum Fraser,
1924
361 Pseudagrion microcephalum
Rambur, 1842*
362 Pseudagrion rubriceps Selys, 1876b*
363 Pseudagrion spencei Fraser, 1922e
364 Pyrrhosoma elisabethae Schmidt,
1948
365 Rhodischnura nursei Morton,1907
12 FAMILY: DIPHLEBIIDAE
366 Philoganga montana Hagen in
Selys, 1859
13 FAMILY: EUPHAEIDAE
367 Anisopleura comes Hagen,1880
368 Anisopleura lestoides Selys,1853
369 Anisopleura lieftincki Prasad &
Gosh, 1984
370 Anisopleura subplatystyla Fraser,
1927
371 Anisopleura vallei St.Quentin,1937
372 Bayadera hyalina Selys, 1879b
373 Bayadera indica Selys,1853*
374 Bayadera kali Cowley,1936
375 Bayadera longicauda Fraser,1928a
376 Dysphaea ethela Fraser, 1924e*
377 Dysphaea gloriosa Fraser, 1938
378 Euphaea cardinalis Fraser,1924e*
379 Euphaea dispar Rambur,1842*
380 Euphaea fraseri Laidlaw,1920*
381 Euphaea masoni Selys, 1879a
382 Euphaea ochracea Selys, 1859
383 Schmidtiphaea schmidi Asahina,
1978
14 FAMILY: LESTIDAE
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
Indolestes assamicus Fraser,1930

Indolestes cyaneus Selys,1862
Indolestes davenporti Fraser,1930
Indolestes indicus Fraser,1922e
Indolestes pulcherrimus Fraser, 1924e
Indolestes tenuissimus Tillyard,1906
Lestes barbarus Fabricius, 1798
Lestes concinnus Hagen in Selys,
1862
392 Lestes dorothea Fraser, 1924e
393 Lestes elatus Hagen in Selys,1862*
394 Lestes garoensis Lahiri,1987
CHECKLIST
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
OF
DRAGONFLIES
Lestes malabarica Fraser, 1929*

Lestes nigriceps Fraser, 1924d
Lestes nodalis Selys, 1891
Lestes patricia Fraser, 1924e
Lestes platystylus Rambur, 1842
Lestes praemorsus Hagen in Selys,
1862*
Lestes thoracicus Laidlaw, 1920
Lestes umbrinus Selys, 1891
Lestes viridulus Rambur, 1842
Orolestes durga Lahiri, 1987
Orolestes selysi McLachlan, 1895
Sympecma paedisca Brauer, 1877
15 FAMILY: MEGAPODAGRIONIDAE
407 Burmargiolestes laidlawi Lieftinck,
1960
16 FAMILY: PLATYCNEMIDIDAE
408 Calicnemia carminea Lieftinck,
1984
409 Calicnemia eximia Selys,1863*
410 Calicnemia imitans Lieftinck,
1948
411 Calicnemia miles Laidlaw, 1917
412 Calicnemia miniata Selys,1886)
413 Calicnemia mortoni Laidlaw,1917*
414 Calicnemia mukherjeei Lahiri,1976
415 Calicnemia pulverulans Selys, 1886
416 Coeliccia bimaculata Laidlaw, 1914
417 Coeliccia didyma Selys, 1863
418 Coeliccia dorothea Fraser, 1933a
419 Coeliccia fraseri Laidlaw,1932
420 Coeliccia pracritii Lahiri,1985
421 Coeliccia renifera (Selys,1886)
422 Coeliccia rossi Asahina,1984
423 Coeliccia sarbottama Lahiri,1987
424 Coeliccia schmidti Asahina,1984
425 Coeliccia svihleri Asahina,1970
AND AMSELFLIES
(ODONATA)
426
427
428
429
430
431
Coeliccia vacca Laidlaw,1932

Copera ciliata Selys, 1863
Copera marginipes Rambur, 1842*
Copera superplatypes Fraser,1927
Copera vittata Selys,1863*
Indocnemis orang Fster in Laidlaw,
1907
432 Platycnemis dealbata Selys in Selys
and Hagen, 1850
17 FAMILY: PLATYSTICTIDAE
433 Drepanosticta annandalei Fraser,
1924f
434 Drepanosticta carmichaeli Laidlaw,
1915b*
435 Drepanosticta polychromatica Fraser,
1931b
436 Platysticta deccanensis Laidlaw,
1915b*
437 Protosticta antelopoides Fraser, 1931a
438 Protosticta davenporti Fraser,1931*
439 Protosticta fraseri Kennedy,1936
440 Protosticta gravelyi Laidlaw,1915b*
441 Protosticta hearseyi Fraser,1922a
442 Protosticta himalaica Laidlaw,1917
443 Protosticta mortoni Fraser,1924
444 Protosticta rufostigma Kimmins,
1958
445 Protosticta sanguinostigma Fraser,
1922a*
18 FAMILY: PROTONEURIDAE
446 Caconeura gomphoides Rambur,
1842
447 Caconeura obscura Fraser, 1933b
448 Caconeura ramburi Fraser, 1922a*
449 Caconeura risi Fraser,1931a*
450 Caconeura t-coerulea Fraser,1931a
451 Disparoneura apicalis Fraser,1924e
163
164
452 Disparoneura canningi

Fraser,1922a
453 Disparoneura quadrimaculata
Rambur, 1842*
454 Elattoneura atkinsoni Selys,1886
455 Elattoneura campioni Fraser,1922e
456 Elattoneura coomansi Lieftinck,
1937
457 Elattoneura nigerrima Laidlaw, 1917
458 Elattoneura souteri Fraser,1924e
459 Elattoneura tetrica Laidlaw,1917*
460 Esme cyaneovittata Fraser,1922a
461 Esme longistyla Fraser, 1931a*
462 Esme mudiensis Fraser, 1931a*
463 Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922e
464 Phylloneura westermanni Selys,

1860*
465 Prodasineura autumnalis Fraser,
1922e
466 Prodasineura odoneli Fraser, 1922e
467 Prodasineura verticalis Selys,1860*
19 FAMILY: SYNLESTIDAE
468
469
470
471
472
473
Megalestes irma Fraser,1926d

Megalestes kurahashii Asahina, 1985a
Megalestes lieftincki Lahiri, 1979
Megalestes major Selys, 1862*
Megalestes micans Needham, 1930
Megalestes raychoudhurii Lahiri,
1987
NOTE:
1.
2.
3.
The classification scheme follows: Schorr, M., Lindeboom, M. and Paulson,D. (2006). World Odonata
(Insecta) Checklist. Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, U.S.A.
The families Chlorogomphidae, Macromiidae (Anisoptera) and Synlestidae (Zygoptera) are considered
as separate families following Schorr et.al., (2006) in this checklist. However, in this field guide
Chlorogomphidae and Macromiidae (Anisoptera) are considered as part of Cordulegasteridae and
Corduliidae respectively.
Species described in this guide are marked with an asterisk.
165
INDEX
INDEX
TO
COMMON NAMES
Bambootail, Black 126

Bambootail, Black-winged 121
Bambootail, Coorg 119
Bambootail, Myristica 125
Bambootail, Nilgiri 123
Bambootail, Travancore 124
Bambootail, Wayanad 120
Bambootails 118
Bambootial, Black and Yellow 122
Bambootial, Wayanad 131
Bayadera, Blue 147
Blood Tail, Asiatic 61
Blue Wing, Greater 76
Blue Wing, Lesser 77
Bowtail, Deccan 33
Bush Dart, Blue 111
Bush Dart, Yellow 110
Bush Darts, 107
Clawtail, Ganga 32
Clawtail, Nilgiri 31
Clawtail, Shiva 30
Clubtail, Shivalik 27
Clubtail, Syrandiri 28
Clubtails 26
Clubtails, Common 29
Could Wing, Coral-tailed 80
Daggerhead, Tulu 44
Darner, Blue 38
Darner, Blue-tailed Green 37
Darner, Brown 40
Darner, Parakeet 39
Darner, Rusty 36
Darners, 35
Dart, Saffron-faced Blue 106
Dart, Yellow-striped Blue 104

Dartlet, Blue Grass 105
Dartlet, Brown 102
Dartlet, Golden 100
Dartlet, Pigmy 93
Dartlet, Senegal Golden 101
Dartlet, Splendid 94
Dartlet, White 92
Ditch Jewel, 51
Echo, Emerald 134
Emperor, Black 144
Forest Glory, Black-tipped 136
Forest Glory, Clear-winged 137
Forest Hawk, Blue-tailed 71
Glider, Greater Crimson 87
Glider, Wandering 73
Glories, 133
Glory, Stream 135
Granite Ghost, 52
Hawk, Brown Dusk 59
Hawklet, Blue 60
Hawklet, Rubytailed 58
Heliodor, River 140
Hooktail, Common 34
Jewel, Peacock 142
Marsh Dart, Black 71
Marsh Dart, Black-tailed 97
Marsh Dart, Coromandel 96
Marsh Dart, Orange 99
Marsh Dart, Orange-tailed 95
Marsh Dart, Rusty 98
Marsh Darts, 91
Marsh Glider, Amberwinged 59
Marsh Glider, Crimson 83
Marsh Glider, Long-legged 86
166
Marsh Glider, Rufuous 75

Marsh Hawk, Blue 67
Marsh Hawk, Brown-backed Red 66
Marsh Hawk, Crimson-tailed 69
Marsh Hawk, Green 70
Marsh Hawk, Little Blue 50
Marsh Hawk, Rufous backed 49
Marsh Hawk, Scarlet 48
Marsh Hawk, Tricoloured 68
Marsh Skimmer, Ruddy 54
Marsh Trotter, Black 82
Marsh Trotter, Red 81
Mountain Hawk, Nilgiri 42
Mountain Hawks 41
Openwing, Golden 109
Openwing, Scarlet 108
Picture Wing, Common 78
Prince, Emerald 145
Reedtail, Anamalai 115
Reedtail, Pied 116
Reedtail, Red spot 117
Reedtail, Safaron 114
Reedtail, Sikkim Blue 113
Reedtails, 112
River Hawk, Stellate 65
Rock Glider, Scarlet, 55
Ruby, Stream 141
Sapphire, Myristica 139
Sapphire, Stream 143
Skimmer, Black Ground 55

Skimmer, Blacktipped Ground 56
Skimmer, Blue-tailed Yellow 72
Skimmer, Emerald-banded 53
Skimmer, Fulvous Forest 62
Skimmer, Ground 57
Skimmer, Pied Paddy 64
Skimmer, Pigmy 79
Skimmer, Ruddy Meadow 63
Skimmer, Yellow-tailed Ashy 74
Skimmers 46
Spreadwing, Emerald 92
Spreadwing, Giant, 131
Spreadwing, Giant Emrald 132
Spreadwing, Malabar 129
Spreadwing, Sapphire-eyed 130
Spreadwings 127
Stream Glider, Black 84
Stream Glider, Iridescent 88
Stream Jewels, 138
Stellate River Hawk, 65
Torrent Dart, Black 148
Torrent Dart, Malabar 151
Torrent Dart, Nilgiri 150
Torrent Dart, Travancore 149
Torrent Darts, 146
Torrent Hawk, Coorg 45
Torrent Hawks 43
Trumpet Tail, 47
167
INDEX
TO
SCIENTIFIC NAMES
Acisoma panorpoides, 47
Aeshnidae, 46
Aethriamanta brevipennis, 48
Agriocnemis pieris, 92
Agriocnemis pygmaea, 93
Agriocnemis splendidissima,94
Anaciaeschna jaspidea, 36
Anax guttatus, 37
Anax immaculifrons, 38
Anisogomphus occipitalis,27
Bayadera indica,147
Brachydiplax chalybea,49
Brachydiplax sobrina,50
Brachythemis contaminata,51
Bradinopyga geminata, 52
Caconeura ramburi,119
Caconeura risi,120
Calicnemia eximia,108
Calicnemia mortoni,109
Calocypha laidlawi,139
Calopterygidae, 133
Ceriagrion cerinorubellum, 63
Ceriagrion coromandelianum, 96
Ceriagrion fallax,97
Ceriagrion olivaceum, 98
Ceriagrion rubiae,99
Chlorocyphidae, 138
Chlorogomphus campioni, 42
Coenagrionidae 91
Copera marginipes, 110
Copera vittata, 111
Cordulegasteridae,52
Corduliidae,43
Cratilla lineata, 53
Crocothemis servilia, 54
Davidioides martini, 28
Dipaocodes nebulosa, 56
Diplacodes lefebvrei, 55
Diplacodes trivialis, 57
Disparoneura quadrimaculata, 121
Drepanosticta carmichaeli,113
Dysphaea ethela, 148
Echo margarita, 134
Elattoneura tetrica,122
Epithemis mariae,58
Esme longistyla, 123
Esme mudiensis,124
Euphaea cardinalis,149
Euphaea dispar, 150
Euphaea fraseri, 151
Euphaeidae, 146
Gomphidae, 26
Gynacantha bayadera, 39
Gynacantha dravida, 40
Hydrobasileus croceus,59
Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi,60
Ictinogomphus rapax, 29
Idionyx galeata,44
Ischnura aurora, 100
Ischnura senegalensis, 101
Lathrecista asiatica, 61
Lestes elatus, 128
Lestes malabarica, 129
Lestes praemorsus, 130
Lestidae,127
Libellago lineata, 140
Libellulidae 46
Macrogomphus annulatus,33
Macromia ellisoni,45
Megalestes major,132
168
Mortonagrion varralli,102
Neurobasis chinensis, 135
Neurothemis fulvia, 62
Neurothemis intermedia,63
Neurothemis tullia, 64
Onychargia atrocyana,103
Onychogomphus biforceps,30
Onychogomphus nilgiriensis,31
Onychogomphus risi,32
Onychothemis testacea 65
Orthetrum chrysis,66
Orthetrum glaucum, 67
Orthetrum luzonicum,68
Orthetrum pruinosum, 69
Orthetrum sabina, 70
Orthetrum triangulare, 71
Palpopleura sexmaculata, 72
Pantala flavescens, 73
Paragomphus lineatus,34
Phylloneura westermanni, 125
Platycnemididae, 107
Platysticta deccanensis,114
Platystictidae, 112
Potamarcha congener, 74
Prodasineura verticalis, 126
Protoneuridae, 118
Protosticta davenporti,115
Protosticta gravelyi, 116
Protosticta sanguinostigma, 117

Pseudagrion indicum, 104
Pseudagrion microcephalum, 105
Pseudagrion rubriceps, 106
Rhinocypha bisignata, 141
Rhinocypha fenestrella, 142
Rhinocypha perforata, 143
Rhinocypha quadrimaculata,144
Rhinocypha unimaculata,145
Rhodothemis rufa,75
Rhyothemis plutonia,76
Rhyothemis triangularis,77
Rhyothemis variegata, 78
Synlestidae 131
Tetrathemis platyptera, 79
Tholymis tillarga, 80
Tramea basilaris, 81
Tramea limbata, 82
Trithemis aurora, 83
Trithemis festiva, 84
Trithemis kirbyi,85
Trithemis pallidinervis, 86
Urothemis signata,87
Vestalis apicalis, 136
Vestalis gracilis, 137
Zygonyx iris, 88
Zyxomma petiolatum, 89

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INDIA-A LIFESCAPE

Copyright 2009 by Vigyan Prasar

Dragonflies of India-A Field Guide

Publisher's Note ..................................................................................... vii

Chatur means clever,

Prof. Madhav Gadgil

NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONFLIES

ragonflies and damselflies collectively called odonates, are one of

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

Photo: Natasha Mahatre

Fig 1: A Male Damselfly

Fig.3 Body parts of a Dragonfly

Fig. 5 Damselfly larva

Fig 2: A Male Dragonfly

Fig. 4 Body parts of a Damselfly

Fig. 6 Dragonfly larva

1. Fore wings and hind wings

1. Fore wings and hind wings

1. Stout, robust body.

1. Slender, fragile body

Table 1: Broad differences between dragonfiles and damselflies

he life history of odonates is closely

Fig.7 Riffle in streams

Fig. 9 Runs in rivers

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

The species of hill streams tend to be

donates lay their eggs (Fig .12)

Fig. 11 Cascade in streams

Many dragonflies lay their broad and

Damselflies insert their elongate and

he larva is a sophisticated predator (Fig.13). Their cryptic colouration

Fig.13 Damselfly larva

Fig. 14 Damselfly larva

larvae moult into adults just

They are gluttonous and feed on any

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

Fig.15 Emerging dragonfly

ewly emerged male and

Fig. 16 Emerging damselfly (Malabar

donates surpass all other

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

Photo: Shibu Bhaskar

Their vision is well developed as in

exually matured dragonflies

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

over sexually receptive females is very

A receptive female adopts a

Photo: Natasha Mahatre

submerged plants. In such cases the

Fig. 24 A robber fly feeding

Larval stages of water mite (Hydrachnidia) parasitise odonates. For

Photo: Natasha Mahatre

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

back to water for egg laying. The

Photo: Natasha Mahatre

donates, being predators

n addition to the direct role of

hough the Indian

Fig. 28 Myrisitca Bamboo Tail

For example, Myristica Bambootail

DRAGONFLIES OF INDIA A FIELD GUIDE

forests (Fig. 29). The swamps are very

The case of Myristica Bambootail is