Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Another Rhyothemis Dragonfly
Recently went exploring in the forests with a few friends and had a great time! Thank you for inviting me for the ramblings and scramblings.
Anyway, the morning started out without a single dragonfly in sight at the stream though along the way, there were lots of ants and even a tree frog! Later in the day, when we reached the forest fringe, there was a pond with stagnant water and one red dragonfly buzzing around. It was the Orthetrum testaceum, a common species, yet it was nice to see even just one dragonfly.
While walking back, I glimpsed a dark spot buzzing around and stopped to look. As I had hoped, it had two pairs of dark-coloured wings. I felt like I had just hit the jackpot!
It is the Rhyothemis obsolescens of the family Libellulidae. This species is supposed to be common in open, well-vegetated areas and widespread in Sundaland; except Java.
This dragonfly can be recognised by the variegated light and dark markings on its bronze wings. The males have hindwing length of 21.5-23 mm and both the males and females of this species are similarly marked.
A handful of these dragonflies were sighted.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Blue And Brown
I used to see quite a number of this dragonfly species buzzing around some months ago but of late, I have not been noticing them. Perhaps it is because I have been looking out for other species instead? Or perhaps there is less of them out and about during the current hot and dry season?
Anyway, this is the Brachydiplax chalybea of the family Libellulidae. It is a small to medium sized dragonfly with hindwing length of 23-26mm. The male of this species is mostly bluish with a rather strong yellow tint at the base of its hindwings whereas the female is brown and the hindwing base is clear. The tip of the abdomen is dark for both male and female.
I wonder if this species could perhaps be migratory?
And I wonder where have they gone?
Pick of the Day!
Took this pic in the morning of a golden yellow dragonfly. Looks like it is the Crocothemis servilia. Well, I think it is...
Isn't she a beauty!
Saturday, 13 February 2010
It's Quite Golden!
I had been out walking along this trail since morning.
By noon, I was ready to find a spot to rest and sit down for my lunch when I saw this dragonfly that was a nice golden yellow colour. With my untrained eye, it would have been easy for me to brush it off as the female of the Crocothemis servilia but the colour was really just different, it also looked very attractive and seemed slightly larger. When I had another good look at it, I noticed the shape of its hindwings were different too.
That was when I realised I had chanced upon another species.
This golden yellow dragonfly is the Pantala flavescens of the family Libellulidae. It is a female. The male would have dark tips on its hindwings and the colour would be more brown-orangey though it is variable depending on maturity. This species can be found almost everywhere in open country.
According to the Pocket Guide, this species is migratory, often present in large swarms. I had found only this one individual and managed to take two shots before it flew off.
I wonder if I will find it again?
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