Handbook of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Pictorial Handbook on
COMMON DRAGON AND DAMSEL FLIES

(ODONATA: INSECTA)
of mangroves of Sundarbans, India
AMITMITRA
Department of Zoology, Royal University of Bhutan, Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Bhutan
AND
BULGANIN MITRA
Zoological Survey of India. M-Block. New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053
Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata
Zoological Survey of India

Kolkata
CITATION
Mitra, Amit and Bulganin Mitra. 2009. Pictorial Handbook on Dragon and Damsel flies
(Odonata : Insecta) of mangroves of Sunderbans, India: 1-56. (Published by the Director,
Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata)
Published : May, 2009
ISBN 978-=81-8171-220-2
© Govt. of India, 2009
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

• No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without the prior permission of the publisher.
• This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade, be lent, resold,
hired out or otherwise disposed of without the publisher's consent, in any form of binding or
cover other than that in which, it is published.
• The correct price of this publication is the price printed on this page. Any revised price
indicated by a rubber stamp or by a sticker or by any other means is incorrect and should be
unacceptable.
PRICE
Indian Rs. 350.00
Foreign : $ 25; £ 20
Published at the Publication Division by the Director Zoological Survey of India, 2341
4, Ale Bose Road, 2nd MSO Building, 13th floor, Nizam Palace, Kolkata 700020 and
printed at Mis Shiva Offset Press, Dehradun - 248 001 (Uttarakhand).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful to Dr. Ramakrishna, Director, Zoological survey of India for his
kind permission for the present project and for providing all possible facilities.
Shri Rati Ram Verma, Production and Publication Officer and his staff deserves
our sincere thanks for their whole hearted cooperation and technical support in the
publication of this handbook.
We are indebted to Mr. Keith Wilson of Hong Kong for the photograph of
Macrodiplax cora, Mr. Oleg Kosterin for Pseudagrion australasiae, Mr. Michael Wolf,
Technical Consultant, Cypher International Ltd, Rm. 2901, Saxon Tower, Hong Kong
for lschnura senegalensis, Mr. Phil Benstead Ornithological and Editorial services, The
Old Stables, Church Street, Reepham, Norwich NR 10 4JW for Bradinopyga
geminata and Mr. Yong San of Singapore for the photograph of Lathrecista a. asiatica.
Special thanks are due to the scientists and staff of Odonata section for their
untiring support during the study period.
Finally we would like to acknowledge the continuous encouragement provided by

Prof. Henri Dumont, Ecology lab, University of Ghent, Belgium in bringing out the
current handbook.
Amit Mitra
and
Bulganin Mitra
CONTENTS
Acknolvledgements ................................................................................................................. iii
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY .................................................................................................. 4
HABIT, HABITAT AND BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS ...................................................... 9
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE ............................................................................................... 12
SYSTEMATIC LIST ............................................................................................................ 12
FIELD IDENTIFICATION .................................................................................................. 15
CLOSED WING POND DAMSELFLIES ......................................................................... 15
Superfamily COENAGRIONOIDEA ................................................................................ 15
Family COENAGRIONIDAE ............................................................................................ 15
Subfalnily PSEUDAGRIONINAE ..................................................................................... 15
Genus Ceriagriol' ........................................................................................................... 15
1. Ceriagrion cerinorubellum (Brauer, 1865) ...................................................... 16
2. Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798) ............................................. 17
Genus Pseudagrion ........................................................................................................ 18
3. Pseudagrion australasiae Selys, 1876 .............................................................. 18
4. Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) ............................................................. 19
Subfamily COENAGRIONINAE ....................................................................................... 20
Genus Cercion ................................................................................................................ 20
5. Cercion malayanum (Selys, 1876) .................................................................... 20
Subfamily ISCHNURINAE ................................................................................................ 21
Genus /schllura ............................................................................................................... 21
6. Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) .................................................................. 22
7. Ischnura aurora aurora (Brauer, 1865) ................................................................. 23
Subfamily AGRIOCNEMIDINAE ..................................................................................... 24
Genus Agriocllell1is ........................................................................................................ 24
8. Agriocllelnis pyglnaea (Rambur, 1842) .................................................................. 24
VI
Subfamily ARGIINAE ........................................................................................................ 25

Genus Onychargia .......................................................................................................... 25
9. Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865 ................................................................... 25
ANGLE WING CLUB-TAILS ........................................................................................... 26
Superfamily AESHNOIDEA .............................................................................................. 26
Family GOMPHIDAE ......................................................................................................... 26
Subfamily LINDENIINAE ................................................................................................ 26
Genus Ictinogomphus .................................................................................................... 26
10. /ctinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) ............................................................ 27
DIPPERS AND PERCHERS ............................................................................................. 28
Superfamily LIBELLULOIDEA ........................................................................................ 28
Family LIBELLULIDAE ..................................................................................................... 28
Subfamily BRACHYDIPLACTINAE ................................................................................ 28
Genus Brachydiplax ....................................................................................................... 28
11. Brachydiplax sobrina (Rambur, 1842) ........................................................... 29
Subfamily LIBELLULINAE ............................................................................................... 30
Genus Lathrecista .......................................................................................................... 30
12. Lathrecista asiatica asiatica (Fabricius, 1798) ............................................ 30
Genus Orthetrum ........................................................................................................... 31
13. Orthetrum sabina sabina (Drury, 1770) ........................................................ 32
Subfamily SYMPETRINAE .............................................................................................. 33
Genus Acisoma ............................................................................................................... 33
14. Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides Rambur, 1842 ....................................... 33
Genus Brachythemis ...................................................................................................... 34
15. Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793) ............................................... 35
Genus Bradinopyga ........................................................................................................ 36
16. Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur, 1842) ........................................................ 36
Genus Crocothemis ........................................................................................................ 37
17. Crocothemis servilia servilia (Drury, 1770) ................................................. 37
vi i
Genus Diplacodes ........................................................................................................... 39

18. Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) .............................................................. 39
Genus Neurothenlis ....................................................................................................... 41
Neurothemis tullia tullia (Drury, 1773) ................................................................ 42
Subfamily TRITHEMISTINAE ........................................................................................ 43
Genus Trithemis ............................................................................................................. 43
Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889) .................................................................... 43
Subfamily TRAMEINAE ................................................................................................... 44
Genus Rllyothemis ......................................................................................................... 44
Rhyothemis variegata variegata (Linnaeus, 1763) ............................................. 45
Genus Pantala ................................................................................................................ 46
Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) .................................................................... 46
Genus Tramea ................................................................................................................. 48
Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842) ............................................................................ 48
Genus Tit olym is .............................................................................................................. 49
Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798) ....................................................................... 50
Subfamily UROTHEMISTINAE ....................................................................................... 51
Genus M acrodiplax ........................................................................................................ 51
Macro dip lax cora (Brauer, 1867) ........................................................................... 51
Genus Urothen, is ............................................................................................................ 52
Urothemis signata signata (Rambur, 1842) .......................................................... 52
SUGGESTED READINGS .................................................................................................. 53
Related Websites ............................................................................................................. 56
INTRODUCTION
Dragonflies along with Mayflies represent the most ancient flying insects. Their
ancestors first appeared in the Carboniferous period and forms similar to modern
genera can be found in deposits of the subsequent Permian period (Campbell and
O'Toole, 1987). One of the basic factors leading to such prolonged survival is the
after emergence dispersal and other is the extreme efficiency of the basic body
design, a design that has proved capable of adapting to the many fundamental changes
that have occurred on earth during the past 300 million years (Silsby, 2001).
The Dragon and Damsel flies belong to the insect order Odonata and is divided into
three suborders: Anisoptera - the dragonflies; Zygoptera - the weakly flying, slender,
damselflies; and Anisozygoptera - a combination of both and represented by only two
species under a single genus all over the world. However, the present day
Odonatologists sometime use the word 'dragonfly' to represent all the three
suborders.
Dragonflies are large-sized, predacious, hemimetabolous and amphibiotic insects,

which inhabits all kinds of freshwater habitats: be they permanent or temporary. For
centuries many species of dragonflies have been able to breed in human built water
bodies on farmland but, with the increasing industrialization of farming, farmland
becomes increasingly inimical to dragonflies. As a result, dragonflies depend
proportionally more on unharmed areas such as gravel pits, ornamental lakes and
fishponds and, above all, on waters in protected areas where nature conservation is
the primary land use (Silsby, 2001).
Sunderban biosphere reserve, the largest contiguous mangrove area in the world,
is one of these thriving grounds of odonata and is situated in the world's' largest Delta
formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna at 21 0 30' to 22 0 15' N latitude
and 88 0 10' to 89 0 10 'E longitude. This tropical humid mangrove habitat covers nearly
10,000 sq.km, of which 40% lies in West Bengal, India and within the scope for the
present book and the rest remains in Bangladesh.
One third of the Sunderban is water logged, and the face of this forest is in
perpetual flux. At high tides the jungle is afloat and when the water recedes, the
forest unveils its myriad facets of precious biosphere. It houses an amazing aqua-
terrestrial ecosystem where land and water both play an equal role. The predominance
of 'Sundari' tree (Heritiera fomes) is the origin for naming the forest as Sunderban,
which represents the largest mangal diversity in the world with 81 mangal plant
species. It also provides ideal habitat for 35 species of mammals including the
threatened Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris); a long array of reptile species
including the Estuarine Crocodile; 260 different species of birds; few amphibians and
2 Zool. Surv. India
extremely large nUlnber of fishes. The entire Eastern India and Bangladesh is
dependent on the fishery resources from Sunderban. The core area of the Sunderban
National Park has also been designated as a World Heritage Site.
The mangrove forest ecosystems like other wetlands are of Inajor ecological and
economic importance. They act as a cleansing system, recycling nutrients and organic
matter brought down by rivers and streams. They provide feeding and breeding
grounds for many fish and crustaceans. They are a feeding, breeding and roosting
habitat for a number of important bird species. They stabilize the land and help to
prevent coastal erosion. They provide fodder for domestic animals and are sources
of firewood.
Quite a lot of work has already been done on the entomofauna of different
mangrove ecosystem. According to Kathiresan & Binghaln (2001), the insects
constitute a significant portion of the fauna in many mangrove communities. They
Inay be permanent residents of the mangal or only transient visitors. In either case,
they often play important roles in the ecology of the system and contribute to the
unique character of these habitats. Surveys of mangrove insects are revealing complex
assemblages of species filling a wide variety of niches. For example, Veenakulnari et
a I. (1997) found 276 insect species in the mangals of Andalnan and N icobar Islands
of India; 197 of these were herbivores, 43 were parasites and 36 were predators. A
recent study (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_Swallow) have reported the
Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta albilinea, a passerine bird that breeds in coastal
regions from Mexico through Central America to Panama to thrive primarily on the
Dragonflies. Other study (http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/whitep/chll.htm) have reflected the
efficient use of Dragonfly larvae as the bio-control agents for the Inosquitoes breeding
in salt marshes along Florida's coast that were the major source of human complaints.
So far no consolidated research work have been conducted on the insect fauna of
Sunderban with the contribution by the scientists of Zoological Survey of India,
provides an opportunity for the field unknown and students to know the ilnportance
of the beautiful dragonflies in the conservation area like Sunderban Inangrove
ecosystem.
Eight super families, 29 families and some 58 sub-families of these elegant insects
for approximately 600 genera and 6000 named species have so far been described all
over the world (Silsby, 2001). However, as far as Indian subcontinent is concerned,
Prasad & Varshney (1995) have listed 499 species and subspecies of these diurnal
fliers under 139 genera, 17 families, seven superfamilies and 3 suborders. The present
hand book deals with 2-6 species and subspecies under 23 genera, 3 families, 3
superfalnilies and 2 suborders.
The present specimensltnaterials have been collected by A.K. Hazra & party, 1983,
1990-2005; A.K. Mondal & party, 1984; A.K. Sanyal & party, 1992-94; Mitra & party,
1992 from different areas and islands of Sunderban.
C . lopterygoidea
(8 oad Wings)
S border
Zygoptera (Damselflies)
-----t -----""!"'.-----
Coenagrionoidea
(Closed Wings)
IOdonata I · An·sozygoptera ~ ....._ ....._ _ _ __

4 Zoo I. SlIrv. In,din
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY
Dragonfly imago popularly known as "Helicopter" is the typical example of the

class Insecta under the phylum Arthropoda am,o ng the Invertebrates The body is
clearly distinguished into the head, thorax ,and abdomen,.
F·g. 1. Body parts ofa fem:ale Dragonfly
Head Region : The head contains one pair of maxillae, a bypopharynx, a labium,
one pair 'Of mandibles" a labrulll,. a fronto-'clypeal area, the vertex region, a pair of
large compound eyes comparatively smaller in Zygopter,a, ,8 pair of small
inconspicuous antennae, three ocelli and the OCCIPUt. Each maxilla carries a lobe like
unsegmented palp ,and a dentate m,a a. The prementum of the labium is exp,anded by
the development 'o f side pi,eces or squama,e and each squam,a supports the latera lobe
of its side. Each lobe tenninates in an end-hook followed bya movable hook. The
mandibles are stout with v,ery powerful teeth (Imm.s" 197.3). The fronto·,clypeal area
is divided into an upper frons and lower clypeus by the epistornal suture. In
Anisoptera, the clypeus is again subdivided into an upper postclypeus and a low'er
anteclypeus. 'O'cciput, vertex ,and frons ar'e three distinct s'c lerites in case of
M'ITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial H.alldbook ,o tl the common Dragon ,and Damselflies 5
Anisoptcra where as in Zygoptera tbe sutures of the cranium between these regions
are less distinct or ,a bs,e nt (lmms, 1973). In Zygoptera, the compound eyes are widely
sep,a ratcd and the vert'ex region is quite well established while in Anis'o ptera, the
compound eyes are broadly confluent on the vertex region. The thre,e oc,e lli situated
between and in front of the compound eyes or sOlnetim'es grouped round :a sm:all
,eminence known as vesicle (Fraser, 1933). 'Two post ocular ,coloured spo ts are onen
visible in the Zygopt'era. The exc'e ptionaHy mobile bead is alt.a,ehcd toO a narrow,ed
mcnlbranous regIon or cervix which is supported on eith,e r side by four cervical
s'c lcritc$.
Fig. 2. Head and Eyes of Odon,ata
The Thorax : The thorax is divided into ,a greatly reduced prothorax and a fused
meso ,a ndmetathor,ax ,c ollectively called pterothorax or synthorax (Fraser, 1933). The
prothor,ax possess'e s three distinct lobes. The Prosternum is greatly reduced and the
proepimeron and proepisternum of the pleura 1 gives origin to the coxa I foHowed
by the pair of prothoracic legs. The synthorax posses last two pairs of thoracic legs
and two p,a irs of wings. The mesepisterna extends dorsally to meet in front of the
tnesotergum ,a nd form the dorsal carina; by this me,a ns the terga are pushed
ba,e kwards and lie betwe,en the wing b.ases. On the other hand, the metepimeron
extends downward and b.ackward to fuse v,e ntrally behind the metasternum; by this
m,e ans the sterna are pushed forwards ,a long with tbe legs whi'c h lie close behind the
mouth to hold the pf,ey.
The legs are mainly used for clinging and catching the prey. They are long and
slender consisting of a short ,a nd robus t coxae; two segmented trochanters, long
6 Zoo I. Slirv. India
spined femor.a, ,spined tlbia,e (sometim·es keeled) and thre·e segmented tarsi. The
terminal tarsal segment bears a pair of claws which sometime possess hooks.
The wings during rest remain folded in Zygoptera whereas in Anisoptera they
remains open. They have a great taxonomic value in respect of their modified
v,enation .•
F' g. 3. Anisopteran wing
:ig. 4.• Zygopter.an wing

MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Harulbook on tlte ,common Dragon and Damselflies 7
Five main veins that originate from the base of the wings ,a r,e Costa, Subcosta (Sc),
a eu,s ed Radius and Median (R + M), Cubitus and the single ,a nal vein (IA). Numerous
,c ross veins divides the wing into s,ever-al ,cells,. The costa runs along the anterior
margin of the wing,. The ,s ubcosta ends at the thickened cross-vein that constitutes
the node ,at about middle of (hewing. 'T he R+M after ,a short run divides into ,R ) (first
radius) ,a nd a backw,a rdly bent stalk of Rs+M which together with the cross-vein
behind it, forms arculas (arc). 'T ow,a rds tbe apex .of the wing, a thi'c kening .of wing
membr.ane be,t ween costa and Rl forms the pterostigma.Near the b.ase of the wing,
just beneath ,arc (little distal to or at), there is a conspicuous discoidal cell. It is
quadrilateral in Zyg.opt'er,a wher,eas in Anisoptera, it is divided by ,a ,c ross .. vein into the
triangle and the supr,8'trian,gle or hypertriangle-both of which may be again subdivided
by thin cross .. veins. The space between the arc and the wing base margined by R +
M and eu is known as medi.an space. Just behind it the space between Dis'c oidal e,e ll
and the wing bas,e is known ,as cubital space. Rs is divided into three branches
betw,e en which intercalary v'e ins mayoc,cur. Media is represented by anterior media
(MA) and the cubi,t us only by its posterior branch (Cu2). The space between MAand
Cu2, starting ,a ft'e r discoidal cell, runs to the hind margin 'Of wing is known as
discoidal field. The anal vein (IA) arises independ,e ntly and runs almost parallel to Cu2
(Fraser, 1933). The basal cross vein betwe,en fA ,and Cu2 is known as anal crossing
(Ac).
The Abdomen : It comprises t,e n e,o mplete s'e gments, parts of II th segmen,t ,a nd
the teJson. A pair of superio.r ,a nal appendages is pr,e sent just 'behind the tenth
abdominal segm,e nt and are well developed in males but reduced or vestigial in
females,. The 11 ch segment possesses an epiproct (tergit'e) and two paraprocts (dIvided
sternite). The epiproct is produ'c ed into the median inferior anal appendag'es in
Anisoptera males but othe wise
rudimentary. The paraprocts form
the paired inferi,or anal append,a ges
of male Zygoptera but are ,a bsent
or vestigial in Anisopter,a (Imms.,
'(973). The t,e lson is represented
by ,a m,edian dors,al lamina supra~
,a nalis and paired latero-ventral
lamina infra-analis surrounding the
anus .
The male secondary copulatory

org,an is situated on the ventral
surface of segmen t 2 and
comprises of the lamina, a hood
like structure; tbe hamules or
hooks; the 'p'e nis and the lobe. The
Fig. 5 .• Body parts of a mal _ Damselfly
8 Zoo/" Su.rv. India
true genital apertur'e opens on the 9 tb s'e g'm ent from which sperm transfer to the
secondary copula,tory organ occurs beforematin,g ,.
In aU the Zygop1tera and some .of the Anisopter,a (Aeshnidae, Neopetaliidae and
Petaluridae), the female copulatory organ
consists of a robust ovipositor ,o n the under
surface of s'e gm'e nt 9, enclos'e d by a pair ,o f
vulvar scales or plates furnished with styles.
They oviposit endophytically inserting their
long and cylindrical eggs in;to the holes m,a de
by long ovipo.sitor on the emergent stems of
the aquatic vegetation either little ,a bove or
under-water. While, ovipositors are
rudimentary in otbe'r members of the order
and they oviposit exophytic,aUy i ,e. , they
simply dips their abdomen ,a nd lay their broad
and ellipti,c al ,e ggs on open water surfaces.
,R arely do they ,a lso deposit their eggs into
mud at the ,e dge -of aquatic body.
F·g. ,6 . Endophytic oviposition in
Isch1.lura .a . .aurora
High degre,e of comp,a tibility betw,e en male and female genitalia, and tbe extreme
variation of the male secondary copulatory organ on the other hand reduces the
chance of interspecies copulation. This reproductive isolation is responsible for the
propagation and survival of the fittest species.
The 'O donata larvae ;a re opportunistic hunters ,a nd
are of two different types. In Anisopteran larvae, the
,a bdom,e n terminates in five spine-like appendages -
one median dorsal epiproct (EP), a p,a ir of ventro-
later.alp:arapr-oct's (PR) and .a small pair of dorso-
lateral c,e rci (C). The larvae ar'e short,e r ,a nd stoutly
built in ,c omparison to Zygopter.a. In case of the later,
the ,a bdom,e n terminates in three ,c audal lamella'e which
act as gills for aquatic r,e spiration.
The members of both subord,e rs possess chewing

type of mouthparts beneath t.he prognathous head, a
pair of 4 to 7 (Fraser, 1933) 's,e gmented antennae and
a pair of compound eyes" The main difference
between the head of the nymph and that of the adul t
is found in the labium. In ,t he nymph this ,o rgan is
modified for prehensile purposes ,a nd is known as the
"mask" as it con,c eals the remaining mouthparts Fig,. 7. Exuviae of Anax. sp
MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Handbook on the common Dragon and Damselflies 9
(Butler, 1904). The terminology adopted in the present work for larval mouthparts is
that of Corbet (1953).
The three thoracic segments are well differentiated and of nearly equal size. The
legs are similar to those of adults. Distal end of the tibiae and tarsi are beset with a
number of setae of different shape. Terminology adopted in the present work for
larval legs is that of Mac Neill (1967).
In suborder Anisoptera, the abdomen is generally triangular in out line, with one
median-dorsal and two lateral ridges, the ventral side being normally flattened. The
hook-like or spine-like projections on the mid-dorsal aspect in Anisoptera are called
mid-dorsal spines and those on the lateral sides are called lateral spines. The abdomen
may be cylindrical (as in most Zygoptera) or flat (As in Gomphids).
The sex can be distinguished even in some early larval instars. In Zygoptera the
male gonapophyses are relatively small consisting of two triangular processes on the
ventral surface of the 9th abdominal segment, while the female gonapophyses are
conspicuous and extend ventrally on the 9th and 10th segment. In the case of
Anisoptera, the female larvae of the family Cordulegasteridae and Aeshnidae have
conspicuous gonapophyses more or less similar to that of the Zygoptera, where as
in the family Libellulidae, the male larvae possess a male projection situated dorsally
at the base of the epiproct.
HABIT, HABITAT AND BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS
Different types of behavioural patterns have been observed in the life cycle of
Odonates. The adult life is dominated by two main behaviour, i.e., feeding and
reproduction. The total life span is well Inarked into two periods, viz., pre-
reproductive and reproductive.
Pre-reproductive period is the period in between emergence and reproduction. The

main behaviour of a dragonfly after emergence is dispersal' and voracious feeding to
help the teneral adults in becoming fully mature adult within a few days. Hence, the
pre-reproductive period is also called maturation period.
It does not mean that in the reproductive period, the dragonfly remains on fast.
But together with the feeding behaviour the most spectacular phenomenon of this
period are the different types of reproductive behaviour, which comprise territoriality,
pre-copulatory tandem formation, copulatory wheel formation, post copulatory flight
(mostly in Zygoptera) and oviposition.
Males of odonates, mostly, are strong territorial insects. Generally the male arrive
the rendezvous well before the females and perch on SOlne twigs or on stones near
the aquatic body and protect a well defined territory around. The radius of the
10 Zool. Sr,l rv. India
territory g,enerally depends on the eye size of the particular species. Upon
encroachment within ,their territory bya 'conspecific male ,the resident males display
aggressive wing. . flapping or abdom'en raising. Often it ,ends up with a long chase or
physical fight. If the intruder is a larger species, the resident l,eaves the perch and
waits until the intruder leave the territory. Otberwis,e they sear,ch out ,a new perch.
The smaller trespasser gets a fatal prose,cution. Only theconspe,cific fem,ales are
welcome within the territory and the resident male leaves the perch ,and quickly tries
to make a tandem link (Pre-copulatory tandem). 'The cbase continues until the male
,catch hold of the female's prothorax with his anal append,ag,es or before the female
manages to flyaway. Orf ,course hawkers are not quite making their territory rather
ke,eps on hovering across the wetland in search of their food and mate.
After the form,ation of
precopulatory tande'm,
quickly the intram,ale
sperm translocation occurs
as has been discussed
earlier. After this, the
spectacular copulatory
wheel (s,e,e cover page) is
form,ed when the female
curls her abdomen to get
the vulv,ar region fixed
wi th the ps'eudopenis
under the second
abdominal segment of the males. Interestingly,
in odonates, the male intromittent organ after
penetration, scoops out the older stock ,o f
sperms from the spermatheca and injects the
new stock, thus, avoiding t.he mixing of
fertilized ova by the spenns of dtfferent males,
ensuring a cte,an progeny from a single male.
'This well documented 'Sperm Competition'
m,ay 'well be another cause for their survival ab
initio.
In most Anisopterans the fe'male lays

fertilized ,eggs immediately ,after the wheel
breaks and males guard the females hovering
upon the site .of oviposition and protect it from
other conspecific males. Few other
Anisopterans ,and most Zygopterans, form the
postcopulatory tandem. In some spe,cies the
Fig" '9. Intramale sp,erm Translocation tande'm find out a good spot for oviposition
MITRA AND MITRA : Picwrial Handbook ,on file common Dnagon ,and Damselflies 11
before separation and then the male guarding happens as usuaL In other cases, the
tandem slays until the female totally submerges under water, while ovipositing. The
males then perch near the place and keep a close vigil over the spot. During this
period the female is vulnerable to the attack of insectivorous fishes, ,a quatic birds,
amphibians and some reptHes. If the female manages to come out of watler, tbe male
again chases her to bind in tandem link. Mostly the femal'e s flyaway ,a midst the
nearby bushes to take rest aner the tiresome 'e xercise. The oviposition is either
exophytic or endophytic as has been discussed earlier..
The dragonfly larvae on the other hand show the crucial emergence beh.aviour,
whi'cb is actually the transitional phase betw'een aquatic ,a nd aerial life. The full fed
last instaTs crawl out of the water climbing on some aquatic plants, parti.ally emerg'ed
stones or the nearby vegetation. This is another vulnerable period for the dragonflies.
This time they are voraciously eaten up by lizards, alnphibians and insectivorous
wetland buds.
Thetim,e span for ea'c h behavioural

pattern varies In different species.
Besides the well known rendezvous

(around freshw.a ter), adults can also be
found away from water for roosting,
matur.ation and feeding. They are often seen
to feed on insects along the roadsid,es, open
areas in the forest and in the dry fields.
Mostly they are active during the day and
Fig 11. Emergence of Neurothemis fulvia 'n Fi,g 10. In-tande m oviposition
laboratory
12 Zool. Slirv. India
prefer sunny weather. Other species are crepuscular and only active in twilight and
spend the day hiding amidst the vegetation. There are even species that are most
active during rain. Dragonflies show a seasonal pattern and in order to get a good
impression of the dragonfly fauna of an area it is necessary to visit a broad range of
habitats during different times of the day and different periods in the year.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
• Dragonflies are really the deadly dragons for different flies like Mayflies,
Stoneflies, Aphids, Termites, noxious Dipterans like mosquito, some Lepidoptera,
including some pests and even for small Hymenopterans. They are often being
incorporated in biological control programmes as they consume large number of
harmful insects of crops, orchards and forests.
• Their larvae act as a natural bio-control agent for the mosquito larvae and thus
control several epidemic diseases like malaria, dengue, filaria, etc.
• Their larvae are good bio-indicators of freshwater pollution.
• Dragonfly larvae are ecologically significant being present at the apex of the
invertebrate food chain in a freshwater ecosystem. On the other hand they
themselves form an important food source for the insectivorous freshwater
fishes and waterfowls. Thus they have regulatory impact in the management of
the aquatic ecosystem.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Order ODONATA
Suborder ZYGOPTERA
Superfamily COENAGRIONOIDEA (Closed wings)
Family COENAGRIONIDAE (Pond damselflies)
Subfamily PSEUDAGRIONINAE
Genus Ceriagrion Selys, 1876
1. Ceriagrion cerinorubellum (Brauer, 1865)
2. C. coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798)
Genus Pseudagrion Selys, 1876
3. Pseudagrion australasiae Selys, 1876
MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Handbook Oil the common Dragon and Damselflies 13
4. P. decorunt (Ratnbur, 1842)

Subfamily COENAGRIONINAE
Genus Cerc;on Navas, 1907
5. Cercion ma/ayanton (Selys, 1870)
Subfamily ISCHNURINAE
Genus Ischnura Charpentier, 1840
6. Ischnura senega/ensis (Ratnbur, 1842)
7. I. aurora aurora (Brauer, 1865)
Subfatnily AGRIOCNEMIDINAE
Genus Agr;ocnemis Selys, 1877
8. Agriocllentis pygmaea (Ratnbur, 1842)
Subfamily ARGIINAE
Genus Onychargia Selys, 1865
9. Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865
Suborder ANISOPTERA
Superfamily AESHNOIDEA (Angle wings)
Fatnily GOMPHIDAE (Clubtails)
Subfamily LINDENIINAE
Genus Ictinogomphus Cowley, 1934
10. Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842)
Superfatnily LIBELLULOIDEA (Dippers)
Family LIBELLULIDAE (Perchers)
Subfamily BRACHYDIPLACTINAE
Genus Brachyd;plax Brauer, 1868
11. Brachydip/ax sobrina (Rambur, 1842)
Subfamily LIBELLULINAE
Genus Lathrecista Kirby, 1889
12. Lathrecista asiatica asiatica (Fabricius, 1798)
Genus OrthetrulII Newlnan, 1833
13. Orthetrun1 sabina sabina (Drury, 1770)
14 Zool. Surv. India
Subfamily SYMPETRINAE
Genus Acisoma Rambur, 1842
14. Aeisoma panorpoides panorpoides Rambur, 1842
Genus Brachythemis Brauer, 1868
15. Braehythemis eontaminata (Fabricius, 1793)
Genus Bradinopyga Kirby, 1893
16. Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur, 1842)
Genus Crocothelnis Brauer, 1868
17. Croeothemis servilia servilia (Drury, 1770)
Genus Diplacodes Kirby, 1889
18. Diplaeodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842)
Genus Neurothemis Brauer, 1867
19. Neurothemis tullia tullia (Drury, 1773)
Subfamily TRITHEMISTINAE
Genus Trithemis Brauer, 1868
20. Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889)
Subfamily TRAMEINAE
Genus Rhyothemis Hagen, 1867
21. Rhyothemis variegata variegata (Linnaeus, 1763)
Genus Pantala Hagen, 1861
22. Pantala flaveseens (Fabricius, 1798)
Genus Tramea Hagen, 1861
23. Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842)
Genus Tholymis Hagen, 1861
24. Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798)
Subfamily UROTHEMISTINAE
Genus Macrodiplax Brauer, 1868
25. Maerodiplax eora (Brauer, 1867)
Genus Urothemis Brauer, 1868
26. Urothemis signata signata (Rambur, 1842)
Note: All the scientific and common names of the different taxa are as per Fraser (1933, 34, 36),
Prasad and Varshney (1995), Silsby (2001) and Mitra (2006).
FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF MANGROVE INIIABITING

DRAGON AND DAMSELFLIES OF SUNDERBAN
Prescnt chapter is the pictorial guide of 26 species and subspecies of Inangrove

inhabiting dragonflies, belonging to 23 genera under 12 subfamilies, three falnilies and
three superfamilies (see check-list), those are found in and around the Indian limit of
Sundarban. Common names of the family under the superfamilies have been used as
groups under which each species have been discussed. Common names for different
species have also been put forward.
CLOSED WING POND DAMSELFLIES
Superfamily COENAGRIONOIDEA
• The discoidal cell is sharply pointed and vein IRiii is at, while vein Riv is very
near to, the subnodus.
• Genital halnules of male quadrate.
Family COENAGRIONIDAE
• Cells of the wing mostly five sided.
• Dc always has an acute distal angle.
Subfamily PSEUDAGRIONINAE
• Wings are not particularly petiolate.
• Vein fA leaves the wing border at or very near Ac.
• The arculus and distal antenodal nervure lie about Inidway between the base of
the wing and the nodus (not unusual also in other subfamilies but here always
the case).
• The pterostigma is small, subtending one cell or less.
Genus Ceriagrion Selys, 1876
• Prolninent ridge on frons.
• Absence of post-ocular coloured spots.

16 Zool. Stu·v. India
I. Ceria,gl';oll cer;/uJ,-uhellulll (Brauer, 1865)

(Fig, 12)
Fig. 12. C eriagrioll cer;norubellum (Brauer. 18(5)
Size : Male : AbdoJnen : 31-33 lum. Hindwing : 20 21 Inln.
Female: Abdolnen: 31-35 tnm. Hindwing : 20-21 InlTI.
Field diagnosis : M,ale : Head : Frons above and vertex dark reddish-brown;
Occiput bright ochreous changing to brick red in old specimens. Eyes dark olivaceous
above changing to bluish-green in old adults, paler below.
Thorax : Pro- and ptero-thorax gr,een, changing to blue on the sides, yellow
beneath.
Wings : Hyaline. Pterostigma amber-fnted, paler around the circutnference and

framed in reddish brown nervure, covering one cell.
Abdomen : This slender ,c lose-winged damselfly can easily be separat d from the
other spe,c ies of the genus by brick red abdomen at base and anal ends. Remaining
segm'e nts in between are black on dorsum.
Female : Quite similar to the males in colouration only except the dorsum of
thorax is suffused with golden brown and anal segments .of abdomen are dull
brownish-red.
H ,a bits and Habitat preference : Adults ,a re common in the agricultural fields and
in the marshy areas near ponds, ditches and irrigation channels. These weakly flying
insects are quite cryptic in finding their perching ground. In tandem oviposition takes
place endophytically among the floating algae and other subtnerged vegetation,.
Flight period '; May-July.
Distribution : Found in Bangladesh, 'C hina, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanlnar,
Malaysia, Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam.
M'ITRA AND MITRA : Piclorilli flcmdbook Qlllhe common Dr«gon and Dams,e lflies 17
2. ,Ceriagr;oll corolluuulelialltllll (Fabri,cius, 1798)

(Fig . 13)
F:ig. 13,. Ceriagrion ,{'oromarJdeliaflum (Fabricius, 1798)
Size: Mule: Abdomen ': 28-30 mm. Hindwin,g : 18-20 mm.
Female : Abdomen ': 29 ... 32 mm. Hindwing : 20 mm.
Field diag.no:sis ! M,a le : Head : Frons bright citron y,eUow; vertex oliv,aceous;
occiput ochr,e ous. Eyesolivaceous above, pale greenish yellow below.
Thorax : Pro· and pterothorax uniformly olive green, laterally greenish-yellow.
L1egs pale yellow with short black spine.
Wings : Hyaline. Pt'erostigma golden yellow" framed in brown nervure, covenng
,one ,celL
Abdo,men : 'Uniform bright citron .. yellow, without markings.
F,e male : Larger and p,ater than the m,ates. Pro . . and Pt,ero- thorax golden
,olivaceous brown., paler ,at th,e sides and beneath, here usually thinly pruinos,ed.
Abdomen uniformly olivaceous with ,an ochreous tint on dorsum.
Habits and Habitat preference : ,Occurs sympatri,eally with the above species of
the genus. Commonly available on both pennanent and tetnporarywater.. bodies. Adu lts
are weak fliers; still the males show aggressive
territoriality. The fate of the smaller species, like
.lschnuraa. aurora, entering tbe territory may
als'o be fatal. Endophytic ,oviposition OC'C UfS in
lande'm.
Flight period: Almost throughout the year.

Distribution : Found in India, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar and Pakistan.
Fig. 14. Fate of an int ruder
18 Zool. Sur". India
Genus Ps,eul/,ag,rioll Selys, 1876
• No ridge on frons.
• Post-ocular ,c oloured spots present.
• Pterostigmain fore .. and hind- wings of same size; longer than broad.
~
• 10-12 postnodals in fore-wings.

• Feluales devoid of an apical, ventral spine on 8th abdotninal seglnent.
3. Pseudagrioll australai,ue Selys, 1876

(Fig.. 15)
Fig. 15. Pseudagriofl ,ollsll'oiasiae Seiys, 1876
Size: Male: Abdolnen : 30-32.5 Inm. Hindwing : 20-21 InIn.
Fe,male : Abdomen: 29 InlTI, Hindwing : 20 mm.

Field d·,a gnosis : Male : Head: Frons pale gre'e nish-blue" untnarked; vertex
gre,e nish .. blue" traversed by a broad black band from eye to eye at level of ocellar
space; large blue postocular spots bordered behind w'th black. Eyes azure blue above,
p,ale blue below.
Thorax ': Pro,t horax pale blue, a black ,c rown ,e nclosing three blue spots on dorsuln
of Iniddle lobe. Pterothorax azure blue, hUlneral stripes black, a broad black band on
rnid-dorsum, laterally a small spot in the middle of mesepimeron ,a nd another at the
upper ,end of postero-Iateral suture. L'e gs pale blue, femora b lack on extensor
surfaces.
Wings : Hyaline. Pterostigma pale yellow, cov,e ring less than one cell.
Abdomen : Pale azure blue marked with black S,e gments 8 and 9 entirely blue
exc,e ptan apical line of black spines. The elongate vase-shaped black spot on seglnent
2, extending froln base to apex; the X mark on segment 10 and the bifid superior anal
appendages shorter than segment 10, are sufficient ,enough to distinguish the sp,e cies
in field.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Halulbook on the ,common Dl"<agon ,and Damselflies 19
Female : Quite shnilar to, but paler than the tnales. Pale blue dorsum of
pterothorax tinted with ferruginous, sides palegreen:i sh .. blue. Pterostiglna golden
yellow. Abdominal black dorsal marking on segment 2 broader than males; segment
10 blue, unmarked.
Ilabits and Habitatpreferenc,e : Territonal males are generally Cound perching on
the overhanging vegetation around freshwater as well as brackish-water wetlands.
Flight period : May-August.
Distribution : Found in Hainan, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India"
Myanmar and Bangladesh.
4.Pselu/agr;oll deCOrll11t (Ratnbur, 1842)

( Fig. 16)
Fig. 16. Pseud,agrioll decorum ( Rambu c 1842)
Si,ze : Male : Abdolnen : 28,.. 30 Inln. Hi nd\ving : 18-20 Inln .

Fetnale : Abdolnen : 3 1 mm. Hindwing : 20 IniTI.
Field diagno,sis : Male : Head! Face, frons and vertex p,a le bluish green; Iarg,e
triangular azure blue postocular spots confluent by a narrow b luish-gr,e en b ridge.
Eyes pale blue above, bluish-green below.
Thorax : Prothorax pale blue. Pterothorax bluish-green on dorsum to slightly
beyond level of humeral suture; lat,e rally pale ,a zure blue,; mid dorsa l carina very finely
black, and two similar parallel bla,ck lines running close to it, one on each sid,e;
hum'e ral stripes narrow, b lack, laterally a small spot at the upper ,e nd of postero-lateral
suture. Legs bluish~white.
IPings : Hyaline. Pterostigma covering less than one c,elL
Abdonlen : Pale azure blue marked with black on dorsum. Segments :8 toO 10
entirely azure b lue ,e xcept an apical line of black spines. 'T he elongate arrow-head
black spot on seglnent 2; the light blue ground colour with Htnited thoracic bla'c k
Inarkings are sufficient enough to distinguish the species in field. Anal app'e ndagcs
bifid.
Female : Display strong sexual dilnorphism. Head and prothorax Inorc greenish
than the greenish-blue of males. Pterothorax light greenish-blue, with hUlneral sutures
and dorsal black markings bordered with golden yellow. Pterostiglna pale golden
yellow. Abdomen pale blue, with a greenish tinge at base and tenninal segments.
Dorsum more or less striped black on all segments.
Habils and Habitat preference : Adults fly low over the water surfaces along
marshy water channels and side pools around. Males show strong territoriality. Upon
encroachlnent by a conspecific male, the resident male shows an aggressive flapping
of wings and raising of abdomen until the intruder left the area. Endophytic
oviposition occurs in tandeln. During oviposition, when the female is completcly
under water, the male hovers on top and display aggressive behaviour to the
conspecific males, if any.
Flight period : Late February-October.
Distribution : Found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanlnar and Bangladesh.
Subfamily COENAGRIONINAE
• Wings are not too petiolate.

• Discoidal cell is short and pointed.
• Vein fA leaves the wing border before Ac.
• The arculus is situated distal to the level of distal antenodal nervure.
Genus Cercion Navas, 1907
• No prominent ridge on frons.

• Basal side of discoidal cell in fore wing shorter than the costal side.
• Pterostigma of same colour and shape in fore-wings of males.
• Postocular coloured spots present.
5. Cercion malayanum (Selys, 1876)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 22 mm. Hindwing : 15 mm.
Female: Abdomen: 20 mm. Hindwing : 15 mm.
Field diagnosis: Male: Head: Face and frons pale azure blue; vertex and occiput
black; large oval bluish-green postocular spots confluent by a narrow bluish-green
line. Eyes olivaceous, paler below.
MITRA AN D MITRA : Pictorial Handbook on the common Dragon and Damsel flies 21
Thorax : Pro thorax black marked with azure blue. Pterothorax bronzed black on
dorsum; humeral suture broad, greenish-yellow; laterally bluish-green, with a short
black streak on the upper part of each lateral suture. Legs bluish-white.
Wings : Hyaline. Pterostigtna yellowish-white framed in thick black nervures,

covering less than one cell.
Abdomen : Pale blue tnarked with black on dorsum. Creamy yellow beneath.
Segments 8 and 9 entirely azure blue; segment 10 blue, with a narrow dorsal black
band. Superior anal appendages slightly shorter than segment 10, broadly conical and
slightly notched at the apex; inferiors nearly as long as superiors.
Female : Ground colour more greenish-yellow than blue. Dorsum more or less
striped black on all segments; segment 10 blue only at apical border. A robust ventral
spine is present at the apex of segment 8.
Ilabits and Ilabitat preference: Adults are very shy insects and weakly fly along
marshy water channels.
Flight period: Late February - April.
Distribution : Found in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Philippines.
Subfamily ISCHNURINAE
• Wings are more petiolate than Coenagrioninae, to about the level of Ac.
• The pterostigma in males often differs a little in fore-wing and hind-wing.
• Vein fA leaves the wing border before Ac.
• The arculus is situated at the level of distal antenodal nervure.
• Females have a unique vulvar spine on abdominal segment VIII.
Genus [schnura Charpentier, 1840
• Slender damselflies of small size.
• Discoidal cell acutely pointed with costal side in fore wing about half the length
of posterior side and that of hind wing about two-third the length of posterior
side.
• Postocular coloured spots always present in adults.
• Tubercles on apical border of segment 10 of male closely apposed.

22 Zo,oi. S"trv. India
6. [scl""ul'" se,1 tegalells';' (Ranlbur, 1842)

(Fig. 17)
Fi,g. 17. Ischnura senegaleflsis (Rambur 1842)
S·ze : Male : Abdomen : 21 ... 23 mm. Hindwing: 13-15 mm.

Female: ,A bdomen : 20-24 mm,. Hindwing : 14-16 mm.
Field diagnosis : Mal,e ': He,ad : Face pale blue to green and frons pale azure blue;
postclypeus steely blue ...black; vert,ex and oc,c iput bla,ck; sm,all round bluish.. green
postocular spots on ea'ch side. Eyes black on the upper one third and greenish below.
Thorax : Prothorax bla'c k marked with pale blue and green. Pterothor,ax bronzed
black on dorsum'; humeral suture broad, bronzed bla,ck; sides ,a nd narrow antehumeral
stripes pate green; beneath pal,e yellow. Legs black with some narrow pale green
tinge,.
W
, ings: Hyaline. Pterostigma black, diamond shaped in fore wing with outer angle
and ,costal border narrowly white, ttnted with blue on the upper surface, covering less
than one cell; that of hind wing smaller than the for,e wing and pal1e brown throughout.
Abdo.men = Black. Segment 1 broadly marked with azure blue; segment 2 with a
metallic reflection of bluish black on dorsum, sides and beneath non-metallic pale
green; seg'ments 3 to 7 citron-yellow at the sides; segment 8 entirely and the basal
one third along with the :side:s of segment 9 ,a zure blue; segment 10 black, sides
yellow. Anal appendages black ,a nd yellow.
Female: Polychromatic. There are at least three forms . Hence m,a les are tbe best
£or field identification.
Habits and Habitat preferene,e : Adults are common around marshy are,as, ponds,
ditches etc,.
Flight period : April-September.
Distribution : Found in 'G uandong, Gu.angxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Peninsular Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines.,
Japan., Myanmar, B,a ngladesh and greater part of Afri,can ,c ontinent.
7,. Is,c lr1lllru Ullr("-u aur(n'lI (Braucr, 1865)

(Fig,. IS)
Fig. 18. Ischllura aurora ,a lll'Or,a (Br~lucr 1865)
Size : Male : Abdomen ': 16 .. 20 mm. Hindwing : 10-12 mIn

Fe,m,ale : Abdomen: 18-20 mm. Hindwing ,: 14 . . 15 Jnm
F·eld diagnosis: Male: Head : Face citron yellow to pale olive gre,e n and froOns
pale grass-green; pestclypeus, vertex and .occiput bronzed black; the post dor border
of occiput pale greenish-yellcw; small rcund azure blue postocular spots on each side.
Eyes clive-green, dark abcve with a small semilunar spot of black (dark brown in
teneral ones) bord'e ring the eye, pale beneath.
Thorax: Prcthorax bronzed black on dorsum" the sides ,and anterior lobe blue.
Pterothorax bronzed black en dorsum; humeral suture bread:, bronzed black; sides
and narrcw antehumeral stripes grass~green; a small streak of black on upper part of
postero.'1ateral suture, beneath white_ Legs pale citron-yellow.
Wings : Hyaline,. Pterostigma in for,e wing rose-red for proximal half and hyaline
for the distal half, kite-shaped, .slightly broader than long; that 'Of hind wing almost
half the length than in the fore wing and pale grey throughout.
Abdomen : Segments I to -6 bright citron-yellow, with a black stripe on the dorsum
of segJnent 1; at the base of the segment 2 dorsum; apical border of segment 6.
Segment 7 broadly bronzed black. Segments 8 to 10 azure blue, the O'lh with aback
quadrate on dorSUln. The bifid dorsal apical tubercle whit'e at borders. Superior ,a nal
appendages triangular and as long as segment 10:; inferiors bro.ad ,a t base and slightly
shorter than ,t h ~ supenors .
Female : Mor ~ stout, but paler than males. Postocular spots are smaller than
males. Abdomen with a broad black dorsal stripe
ext'e nding the whole length.
Habits and Habitat pr,eCer,e nc,e : Adults
occur in the agri,c ultural fj,e lds, along the w,e edy
banks of rivers and ponds,. The endophytic
oviposition IS not in .. tandem. The larvae inhabit
'the Inarshy ponds and water channels along the
agricultural fields.
Flight period : Almost thrQugh out the year.
Distribution : Found in Hainan., Taiwan,
Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka" Philippines,
Jap,a n,Myanmar,Bangiadesh and Bhutan.
Fig. 19. An unusual attempt by a male
hlr capturing female
Subfamily AGRIOCNEMIDINAE
• Very small damselflies.
• Arculus is well distal of the second antenod,al.
Genus Agr;'ocnemis Selys" 1877

• Abdomen less than 20 mm in length.
• 6 to 8 postnoda'ls in forewings.
I. The junction of ab and fA markedlyangulated.
8. ,A griocnemis pygmaea (R,ambur, 1842)

(Fig. 20)
Size: Male! Abdomen: 16-17 mm" Hindwing : 9.5 .. 10 mm.

Female: Abdomen: 18 rom. Hiodwing : 11 .. 12 mm .
Field diagnosis: Male: Head:
L,abrum metallic blue; anteclypeus,
hases of mandibles, genae, and
frons pale green; postclypeus,
v'ertex and occiput black, small
rounded pale gre,e n postocular
spots. Eyes black above, pale
gre,en on sides and beneath. Fig. 20. Agriocnemis pygmaea {Rambur, 1842)
Thorax: Proth.orax black marked with pale green. Pt,e rothorax black on dorsum;
humeral suture black, broad; antehuffileral stripe narrow, pale green; sides pale green.
Legs yellow, extensor surface of femor,a black.
,W ings: Hyaline . Pterostigma pale yellow in the fore-wings, black in the hind; that
of hind-wIng slightly shorter than in the fore.
Abdom,en : Ground colour pale-greenish yellow, dorsum .of segments 1 to .s with
varied bIa,ek, apical region of segment 8, the whole of segments 9 and 10 brick·red.
Anal appendages brick-red, sup,eriors slightly long,er than inferiors.
Female : Polychrom,ati,c. Hence males are the best for field identification.
Habits and Habitat preference: Their population is larger along the irrigati.on
channels and m,arshy streams than the st.agnant water-bodies. L,arva'e commonly occur
among the aquatic weeds ,and algae around.
Flight period: Late February ... September.
Di:s tribution : Found in 'G uand'ong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong K.ong, Taiw,an,
Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Japan,
Myanmar and Bangladesh.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pklor;,al Handbook ,Oil the common Dr~gon an,d Damselflies 25
Subfamily ARGIINAE
'. Two antenodal nervures converge posteriorly.
Genus Onychargia Selys, 1865
• Arculus at the level of second antenodal.

• Pt'e rostigm,a of s,a me colour and shape in fore and hind wings of males ,and
females.
• ab arising well proximal to the I'e vel ofac and even the first ant,e nodal nervure.
• Postocular coloured spots absent.
• Females without a ventral apical spine on segment 8.
9. Onychargi,a atrocyan,a S,e lys, 1865

(Fig. 21)
Size : Male : Abdomen : 22-24 mm. Hindwing: 17 mm.
Femal,e : Abdomen : 23 mm,. Hindwing : 18 mm.

Field di:a gnosis : M ,a le : He,ad ,: Face, frons, v'e rtex ,a nd occiput black; a narrow
strip'e of ,c itron-yellow extending from eye to eye through interocellar sp,a ce,. In
subadults genae, base of mandibles and labrum ,c itron yellow. Eyes black above,
brown to pale yellow beneath.
Thorax: Prothorax and pt,e rothorax velvety black, the latter with a deep purplish
reflex on dorsum; humeral suture broad, the narrow antehutneral stripes and the sid'es
citron-yellow to bluish"green depending on the age of the sp,e cim,en. A broad oblique
black stripe is present over the postero .. lateral suture. Legs bla,ck 'w ith some fine
yellow lines ,o n posterior femora.
Wings .H yaline. Pterostigma
oliv8ce,o os yellow, covering slightly less
th,a none 'cell.
Abdomen : Black, with ,c itron-yellow
markings on the sides of s,e gment I, a
lat,eral stripe on segment 2, and a less
'e vident one on :s egment 3; segments 3
to 6 with narrow bluish basal rings
broadly interrupted on dorsum. Anal
appendag,e s black:; sup,e riors shorter
than segm,e nt 10.
Fig. 21. Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865
Female : Quite same as subadult male except a few differences : postclypeus

bright yellow laterally; prothorax with a small subdorsal and a very large lateral spot
citron-yellow; the additional yellow spots of the abdomen, one on the pleural surface
of segment 8 and other on the sides of the vulvar scales.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults are shy insects and weakly fly along
marshy water channels.
it
Flight period : Late April-July.

Distribution : Found in Hong Kong, Peninsular Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand,
Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
ANGLE WING CLUB-TAILS

Superfamily AESHNOIDEA
• Eyes widely separated or broadly confluent on vertex.

• Discoidal cell approximately of same size and shape in fore- and hind-wings and
situated equidistant from the arculus.
• The two robust primary antenodals does not coincide with costal and subcostal
antenodal nervures.
• Middle lobe of labiutn large and fissured.
Fatnity GOMPHIDAE
• Eyes seperated.
• Females have a reduced ovipositor in which the terebra, even if well developed
(usually they are vestigial) do not enclose the usual complement of valves.
• Last segments of abdomen at times enlarged.
Subfamily LINDENIINAE
• Secondary branch of IR2 very distinct and more parallel to it, therefore IR2
appears to be dichotomously forked distal of the lestine oblique vein.
• Discoidal cell divided in more than two cells in both pairs of wings.
• At least in forewings the basal part of the subdiscoidal cell is traversed by
supplementary cubi to-anal-crossveins.
• Hypertriangle divided by at least two or more crossvelns.
Genus Ictinogomphus Cowley, 1934
• Segment 8 of abdomen widely dialated and with wing-like projections.

• Superior anal appendages acute at apex.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Handbook on tile common Dr~gon and .Damselflies 27
10. Ictinogomp.h us rllpax (R,a mbur, 1842)

(Fig. 22)
Size : Male : Abdomen + Append,a ges : 52 mm. Hindwing: 40 mm.

Female: Abdomen + Appendages: 50 mm . Hindwing: 42 ... 44 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Face and frons greenish-yellow with occasional
black stripes; postciypeus black, with a large lat'e ral yel ow spot on either side; vertex
black; occiput greenish-yellow, fringed with short yellow hairs. Eyes bluish-grey.
Thorax: Prothorax and pterothorax black marked with yellow. Yellow on the latter
is distributed as follows:- a complete mesothoracic collar, oblique dorsal spots, a
large c1e ntral spot on alar sinus, spots on tergum, humeral stripes and most of the
lateral areas except the two prominent black bands.. Posterior border of thorax
margined with black. Legs largely black with some yellow on flexor surface of
anterior femora. Cox.a e and trochant,e rs yellow.
Wings : SlIghtly enfumed in mature adults. Pterostigma bl.ack, braced, long
covering 5 to 6 cells.
Abdomen : Btack marked with

alternating bands of yeHow. The
black band between segment 7th and
81h is very narrow. Tbe leaf:.like
ventral ,e xpansions on segment 8 ar,e
black. Anal appendages black, as
long as the two last segm,e nts.
Female : Similar to males; but

more yellow.. Occiput raised, a
robust ,spine at it '8 middle. Wings
with dark brown basal markings
extending as far as first antenodal
nervure. .Anal ,a ppendages short,
conical, black.
Habits and Habitat preference :

Adults are common around the
semj... ,s aline ponds. They have a
peculiar sitting posture on the
emergent twigs in and ,a round the
water-body, with the head down"
facing the water surface and
abdomen up. An extreme of this
Fig. 22. /ctillogomphu rapax (Rambuf, 1842)
28 Zoo!. Slirv. India
posture can be seen as photographed. Occasionally or upon disturbance, they hover

along the water-body and mostly come back to the same perch.
Flight period : April-September.
Distribution: Found in Peninsular Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka,
Myan11\ar and Bangladesh.
DIPPERS AND PERCHERS

Superfamily LIBELLULOIDEA
• Eyes confluent on vertex.

• Discoidal cells of fore and hind wing differs in size, and position.
• Costal and subcostal antenodal nervures mostly coincide.
Family LIBELLULIDAE
• Tibiae of males without keels.

• Base of hind wing rounded in both sexes.
• Oreillets absent at the baso-lateral sides of 2 nd abdominal segment.
• Sectors of arculus arising from a common stalk.
• The primary antenodal nervures absent.
Subfamily BRACHYDIPLACTINAE
• Smaller species.
• Rests with the body pointing up and the wings pointing down.
Genus Brachydiplax Brauer, 1868

• Base of discoidal cell in hind wing at level of arculus or a shade distal.
• Costal side of Dc in fore wing not angulated.
• Anal loop made up of more than 6 cells.
• Discoidal field in fore wing beginning with 2 rows of cells.
• Claw hooks shorter than the claws and arising from about middle of the latter.
• Borders of anal loop converge and meet before posterior border of wing.
• Distal antenodal nervure in fore wing complete.
• Lobe of prothorax large and fringed with long hairs.
• Frons metallic above.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pict,oria/ Handbo,ok ,on the ,common Dragon and Damselflies 29
11, Brachydiplax sobrina (Rambur, 1842)

(Fig. 23)
Size: Male : Abdomen : 20-24 mm. Hindwing : 25-28 mm .
Female: Abdomen : 16 .. 22 mm. Hindwing : 22-26 lum.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head :

Face and frons creamy-white, the
latter m'e tallic blue above; occiput dark
brown with a bright yellow geminate
,s pot behind. Eyes dark brown, with a
ventro-Iateral interruption of bluish-
white,
Thorax Prothorax dark brown.

Pterothorax oHvaceous brown, with
black markings more or less obscured
by a thin pruinescence, denser on
dorsum; three yellow stripes on each
side more or less covered by the
pruin,e scence. Legs black, anterior
femora yellow on inner side.
Wings Hyaline, uncoloured .

Pterostigma yellowish framed in thick
black nervures" covering one and half
cells. Fig, 23. Brachydiplax sobrina (Rambu r 1842)
Abdomen : Black, pruinosed blue in old adults, more prolninently up (0 6th

abdominal seg'm ent. Lateral yellow spots of 7th segment is usuall y visible in older
adults Anal appendages black
Female : The yellow ground colour and black thoracic stnpes are visible in the
absence of pruines,c,e nce.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults ,a re found hawking among the vegetation
ne,a r the side pools and slow running marshy streams during May to September.
Exophytic oviposition occurs singly hy the female in some small weedy side pools.
Larvae are found in the same habitat.
Flight period : April- July.
'D istribuf'on ! Found in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh .
30
Subfamily LIBELLULINAE
• R,e duced cubito-anal field in the hindwing.

• Arculus distal of the second antenodal ,nervure.
• Mature males with bluish pruine:s cence in the ground plan (r.ather doubtful
cbaracter).
Genus Lathrecista Kirby, 1889

• Dis,coidal field in fore wing beginning with 3 r,o ws of ,c,ells.
• Borders of anal loop ,c onverge ,a nd m'eet before posterior border of wing.
• Distal antenodal nervure in fore wing incomplete.
I. Lobe of prothorax small and usually naked.
• Discoidal field in fore-wing with horders parallel at wing margin.
• Genital bamules small and in,eonspicuous.
• Cells at the base of h' nd wing are not closely packed in straight r,ows.
• Unicolour pterostigma equal in size for fore and hind wings.
• One row of cells between IRiii aodRsp/ (Rarely two rows at the middle).
• Only 1 cubital nervure in aU wings.
• Areulus in between second and third antenodals.
12. Lilthrecista asialic,a asialica (Fabricius, 179,8)

(Fig _ 24)
Fig. 24.. Lathrecista asiatica asiatica (Fabricius, 1798)

MITRA AND MITRA : Pic/orial Handbook on/he common Dragon and Damselflies 3I
Size : Male : Abdomen : 27-32 mm. Hindwing : 33-37 mm.
Female : Abdomen : 27-32 mm. Hindwing : 34-36 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Face and lower border of frons and sides broadly
creamy-yellow, upper surface of frons steely black; vesicle and occiput black with
a geminate yellow spot on the posterior border of latter. Eyes brownish above, bluish-
grey with black spots below.
Thorax : Prothorax blackish brown with anterior lobe yellowish. Pterothorax dark
coppery-brown on dorsum, bright yellow laterally with black sutures. Legs blackish-
brown with some yellow on anterior femora.
Wings : Hyaline with the apices enfumed blackish-brown. Pterostigma reddish-

brown, covering about 4 cells.
Abdomen : Blood red with segments 9 and 10 purely black. Anal appendages black.
Female : Similar to male except the colour of the abdomen, which is rich
olivaceous-brown instead of red.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults are rapid fliers and found In the dirty
forest pools, marshy ponds amidst the bamboo jungles.
Distribution : Found in Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India,

Sri Lanka, Philippines and Myanmar.
Genus Orthetrum Newman, 1833
• Base of discoidal cell in hind wing at level of arculus or a shade distal.

• Distal antenodal nervure in fore wing complete.
• Frons non-metallic above.
• Never less than 12 antenodal nervures In fore wIng.
32 Zool. Sur". Ind;,a
13. Orthetrum sabina sabina (Drury, 1770)

(Fig. 25)
Size: Male : Abdomen : 30.. 36 mm. Hindwing : 30-36 mm.
Female: Abdomen: 32-35 mm. Hindwing : 31-35 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head: Face and frons yellowish, becoming brighter
citron-yellow on upper surface of latter; vesicles black tipped with yellow; occiput
black. Eyes greenish during 1i fee
Thorax : Prothorax bright

yellow marked with blackish-
brown on anterior and middle
lobes. Pterothorax greenish-
yellow marked with black.
Legs black.
Wings: Hyaline, enfumed in

very old adults. Pterostigma
black with middle ochreous,
covering 2 cells.
Fig. 25. Orthetrum s,abina sabina (Drury, 1770) (Female)
Abdomen: Greenish-yellow with alternate black bands, never pruinosed. Segments

1 to 3 enormously swollen and then abruptly slimmed and compressed laterally to the
end. Segments 7 to 9 and the base of segment 10 broadly black. Anal appendages
creamy-white in colour.
Fem:ale : Similar to males in colouration..
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults are quite ComlTIOn around the perennial
and seasonal monsoon ponds, agricultural
fields and the irrigation channels. They
oviposit exophytically within different
types of algal growth in the sam'e habitat.
Flight period : Almost throughout the

year.
Distribution : Found in Guandong,

Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiw,an,
Peninsular Malaysia, L,ao, Viet Nam,
Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka,
Philippines, Japan, Myanmar, Russian
Federation, Kazakhstan and Bhutan. Fig. 26. OrthetrUf1l abina sa bina (Drury, 1770)
(Male)
MITRA AND MITRA : Pic/orial .Handbook on the common Dragon and Damselflies 33
Subfamily SYMPETRINAE
• Dragonflies of small to m'edium size.
• Supplementary crossveins in the cubito-anal space and the bridg,e .. space present.
Genus AcisomaRambuf, 1842

I. B,a se of discoidal cell in hind wing at level of arculus or a shade distal.
• Costal side ,o f Dc in fore wing not ,a ngulated.
• Anal loop made up of more th.an 6 cells.
• C law hooks shorter th,a n the claws and arising from about 'm iddle of the latter.
• B,o rders of anal loop converge and meet before posterior border of wing.
• Distal ,a ntenodal nervure in forewing complete.
'. Lobe of prothor,a x large and fringed with long hairs.
• Frons non .. metaHic ahove .
• 'Only 6 antenodal nervur'e s in fore wing.
• Abdominal segments 1 to 6 dilated, 7 to 10 slim and cylindri'c al.
14. Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides Rambur, 1842

(Fig. 27)
Size: Male: Ahdomen : 15- 18 rom . Hindwing 16 ~ 21 IntTI.
Female : Abdomen : 15-

18 Mm. Hindwing : 17-22
mm.
Field di,a gno,sis .: Male
Head : Face and frons pale
azure blue:, the latter
border'e d with black at hase;
vertex and occiput black,
the latter with ,a geminat,e
yellow spot behind. Eyes ,a re
sky-blue during Hfe.
Thorax : Prothorax bla,c k

marked with yellow.
Fig. 27. Acisoma panorpoides pallorpoides Rambur, 1842

Pterothorax azure-blue with different patterns of black, sutures finely black. Legs
black with yellow striped femora.
Wings : Hyaline. Pterostigma pale yellowish framed tn thick black nervures,

covering more than one cell.
Abd"men : Azure blue, marked with black. Segments 8 to 10 entirely black. Anal
appendages dirty white above, blackish beneath.
Female : Similar to the male in colour and markings.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults perch on the grasses and other vegetation
around small stagnant pools and semi-saline ponds. They oviposit exophytic ally in the
marshy stagnant water. Larvae occur also in the same habitat where oviposition takes
place.
Flight period : April-August.
Distribution : Found in Guandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan,

Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Japan,
Myanmar and Bhutan.
Genus Brachythemis Brauer, 1868

• Lobe of prothorax small and usually naked.
• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders parallel at wing margin.
• Genital hamules small and inconspicuous.
• Cells at the base of hind wing are not closely packed tn straight rows.
• One row of cells between IRiii and Rsp/ (Rarely two rows at the middle).
• Only 1 cubital nervure in all wings.
• Wings with broad reddish-yellow medial fascia.
• Face and abdomen never red.
• Only 6Y2 to 7Y2 antenodals in fore-wings.
,MITRA AND MITRA : Pictori,a! Handbook on the common Drtlgon and Damselflies 35
15. Brachythemis contamb,ata (FabricIus, 1793)

(Fig. 28)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 18 .. 21 mm. Hindwing : 20-23 mm.
Female : Abdomen : 18-20 mm. Hindwing: 22 .. 25 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Face and frons olive-yellow, occiput brown. Eyes
brownish above, olivaceous below.
Thorax : Ochreous with some reddish-brown strip,e sPterQthorax olive-brown

with an obscure reddish-brown humeral stripe and two brownish stripes on each side.
egs ochreous with black stripe on femora.
Wings : Hyaline with amber tinted fascia. Pterostigtna rust red .
Abdomen : Reddish-ochreous,
marked with obscure dOTs,at and
sub ... dorsal brown stripes; Segment
8 and occasionally 9 ,m ay have
some black on dorsum. Anal
appendages ferruginous.
F,emale : Face yeUowish-white.

Eyes pale brown above,.
Pterofhorax pale greenish. yello\v.
Bright amber fascia on wi ngs is
absent. Pterostigma bright
,o chreous. Abdomen pale o li ve ~
brown 'with a black mid dorsal line
extending from segment 2 to end.
Fig. 2,8. Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)
Anal appendages yellow.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults fly conspicuously over the water surface
or perch on the adjacent vegetation around the agricultural fi,e lds, fresh w,a ter ,a nd
:s'emi.. saline ponds, fish ponds ,a nd tanks. Females usually oviposit exophytically at
afternoon on the surface water. Larva,e o("cur among the aquatic weeds or on
submerged parts ,o f aquatic plants.
Flight period: Late February- August.
Distribution : Found in Guancl-ong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan,

Penin.sular Malaysia, Lao, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, SrI Lanka,
Phi ippines, Japan, Myanlnar, Bangladesh and Bhutan,.
36 Zool. SlIrv, India
Genus B~adinopyga Kirby, 1893
• Costal sid,e of Dc in fore wing notan,g'u lated.

• Anal loop mad,e up of more than 6 cells.
• Discoidal field in fore wing beginning with 3 rows ofc,e lls.
• Claw hooks shorter than the claws ,a nd ,a rising from about middle of the latter.
• Borders of anal loop converge and me,e t before posterior border of wing.
• Distal antenod.al nervure in fore wing ine,o mplete.
• Discoid,al field in fore-wing with borders parallel at wing margin.
• 'G enital hamules small and inconspicuous.
• IC ells at the base of hind wing are not closely p,a cked in straight rows.
I. Bicolour pterostigma ,e qual in size for fore and hind wings.
I. Two rows of cells betwle en IRUl and Rspl.
16. Bradinopyg.a g,em,inata (Rambur, 1842)

(Fig. 29)
Size : Male : Abdomen : 26-29 mm. Hindwing : 33 .. 36 mm.
Female : Abdomen : 26-29 mm. Hindwin,g : 32-36mm.

Fi,e ld diagnosis: Male: Head : Face ,and frons olivaceous; v,e rtex and occiput
brown. Eyes brown above, pale greyish beneath.
Thorax: Prothorax ,a nd pterothorax dirty pale yellow, marbled and peppered with
black in an irregular manner. Legs greyish, thinly pruinosed.
Wings : Hyaline.Pterostigm,a black at the centre, pure white in both the ends,
between thick black nervures.
Abdomen : BIa,e k m,a rbled with

yellow. Anal ,apP,e nd,a ges creamy-
whHe.
Fem,a le : Exactly similar to male in

colour and shape.
Habits and Habitat p,r eference :

Adults are well camouflaging ,and
found perched within the granite
stones, on ,c oncret,e roads and around ~"""""....__IL:i.....;_~w:z:::::IlWl.
Fig. 29,. Br,a,dinopyga gemin.ata (Rarnbur, 1842)
small cemented tanks especially around the construction sites. With their body colour,
they are quite invisible in the above habitats and are correctly called the granite
ghosts. They breed in cemented water tanks, rainy hollows in the rock, and even in
the dirty waters of seasonal ditches along the roads.
Flight period : Almost throughout the year except very colder months.
Distribution : Found in Thailand, India and Sri Lanka.
Genus Crocothemis Brauer, 1868
• Base of discoidal cell in hind-wing at level of arculus.

• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders widely divergent at wing margin.
• Cells at the base of hind wing are not closely packed In straight rows.
• Only 1 cubital nervure in all wings.
• Face, frons and abdomen red.
• Only 9Yl to 10Yl antenodals in fore-wings.
17. Crocothemis servilia servilia (Drury, 1770)

(Fig. 30)
Size : Male -: Abdomen : 24-35 mm. Hindwing : 27-39 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Labium ferruginous, labrum blood-red. Face and
frons bright blood-red, vesicle red and occiput bright orange. Eyes blood-red, bluish
at the postero-Iateral extremity, paler below.
38 Zoo/. Surv. India
Fig. 30. Crocothemis s,ervili.a servilia (Drury, 1770)
Thorax: Prothorax ferruginous, with a spot on middle of the anterior lobe; borders
of the posterior lobe brighter rust-red; transvers·e ridged on middle lobe incorporated
with a ruff of stiff reddish hair.. Pterothorax blood. .red. L~gs ochreous. Fig.31.
Wings: Ilyaline. Bases of all marked with rich amber. . ye low. Pterostigma dark
ochreous betw·e en black nervures .
Abdomen : Blood red with mid-dorsal carina of segments 8 & 9 blackish.
Fig" 31. Male wings of Crocothemis servilia servilia

Female : Differs frotn the tnale in the colour of labium, labruln, face frons,
vesicle, occiput, eyes, pro- and pterothorax and abdomen, which tends to be rather
yellowish than the bright red of tnales.
Habits and Habitat preference : No particular habitat preference has been

observed in the case of the adults and they are found around most of the aquatic
habitats viz., around saline and semi-saline water-bodies, in the nearby agricultural
fields and irrigation channels, small fresh water ponds, ditches and even along the
temporary water-bodies.
Flight period : Almost throughout the year except the extreme winter months.

Peninsular Malaysia, Lao, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Japan,
Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Genus Diplacodes Kirby, 1889

• Discoidal field in fore wing mostly beginning with 3 rows of cells and then
continued as 2 rows up to somewhat middle of the wing.
• Cuii widely separated from the posterior angle of discoidal cell in hind-wing.
• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders widely divergent at wing margin.
• Dc in hind-wing entire.
• Costal border of fore-wing straight.
18. Diplacodes trivia lis (Rambur, 1842)

(Fig. 32)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 19-22 mm. Hindwing : 21-23 mm.
Female : Abdomen : 18-20 lnln. Hindwing : 21-24 mm.

Remarks : Only exc'e pt the little higher range of hind wing (21 - 25mm) in the
pr,e sent males, the other det.ails are saIne as the carlier description of Fraser (1936) ,
Field diagnosis : Male: Head :

Labium, labrum, ,and bases 0 f
mandibles ,c reamy-yellow,; fac,e,
frons, and vesicle palest azure .. blue,
with a fine black line at base of
frons. Eyes reddish . . brown above,
pale bluish below.
Thorax : Prothorax pale brown,

with ,a mid-dorsal yellow stripe
extending full length of dorsum.
Pterothorax gre,e nlsh-yellow with
sutures finely bla,c k in young
specimens; uniform pruinos,e d blue
in adults. Legs black marked with
yellow in adults.
Fig. 32. Dip/aeodes (rh'ia/is (Rambur, 1842)
Wings : Hyaline,. Pterostigma short, dark reddish .. bro\vn betw _,en black nervures.
FOg. 33. Mal,e wings of DiplacQdes trivialis (RambuT, 1842)

Abdomen : Segments 1 to 3 greenish-yellow, with the sutures finely black and mid-
dorsal and subdorsal black stripes extending from jugal suture on segment 2 and
expanding broadly at apical borders of segments 2 and 3; all these markings more or
less obscured by blue pruinescence in adults; remaining segments black, pruinosed
densely in old adults, but with subdorsal yellow stripes on segments 4 to 7, extending
from base to apex of segments 4 to 6 and nearly to apex on 7 in subadults. Anal
appendages bright yellow.
Female : Resembles the subadults or teneral male in colour and markings, but the
abdominal markings broader and continued on to segments 8 to 10, the latter entirely
yellow as well as anal appendages, whilst the spots on segments 8 and 9 are of
variable length. Vulvar scales broad but short, scoop-shaped.
Habits and Habitat preference : The species occurs in the agricultural fields,
near the slow-running marshy streams, semi-saline water-bodies, but mostly seen on
the roads, little away from these actual habitats, camouflaging quite well amidst the
soil and difficult to locate.
Flight period : Late April-August.
Peninsular Malaysia, Lao, Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines,
Japan, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Genus Neurothemis Brauer, 1867

• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders mostly parallel and slightly divergent
at wing margin.
• Cells at the base of hind wing are not closely packed In straight rows.
• More than one cubital nervure in all wings.
• Wings partly coloured.
42 Zool. S"rv. India
19. Neurothemis tullia lulUa (Drury, 1773)

(Fig. 34)
Size: Male. Abdomen: 16.:20 mm. Hindwing ': 19-23 mm
Female : Abdomen : 16-19 mm. Hindwing : 20 . . 23 'm m

Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Labrum, face, frons, vesicle and occiput black.
Eyes blackish-brown above, violaceous below.
Thorax : Prothorax and pterothor.ax

black, mid ... dorsal carina of the later
finely yeUow. Legs black, tibiae yellow
on extensor surfaces.
Wings : yat· ne for apical half and

steely bluish-black for the basal half.
Black basal area of wings edged
outwardly with an opalescent white
band and is sufficient enough to
distinguish the species in the field. ,
Pt,e rostigma dull ochreous framed in
thick black nervures. Fig. 34. Neurothemis tullia tullia (Drury, 1773)
Abdomen : Black. A broad mid . . dorsal interrupted creamy-'w hite stripe on segments
1 to 8, broad at base of segments, tapering to apical end and becoming lost on
segment 7 or 8. Anal appenda,ges creamy white tipped with black.
Female : Exhibits strong sexual dimorphism. 'O livaceous occiput bears a bright
citron-yellow geminat,e spot behind. Eyes pale brown above, pale oliva,c'eoU's laterally
and beneath. Pro- and pterothorax greeni sh ... yell ow.. B,a ses of wings bright amber-
yellow up to the node or little distal. Blackish-brown subcostal line broadening into
a irregular same colour spot near node. Apices broadly opaque blackish brown up to
the middle or inner end of pterostigm.a Pale yellow between these two opaque ,area.
Abdomen bright yellow with a bro,ad black stripe extending from segm,e nt I to the
,end. Short, conical anal appendages are bright yellow in colour.
Habits and Habitat preference : These weak fliers flutter near swampy ,o r weedy
freshwater or semi-saline ponds.
Flight p,e riod : May-August.
Distribution : Found in Guandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong., Taiwan,

Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, India., Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
MITRA AND MITRA : PictQrial HandbOQk on the common Dragon and Damsel flies 43
Subfamily TRITHEMISTINAE
• Medium sized dragonflies.

• Resting with the body pointing up and the wings pointing down,.
• Nodus shifted distally, thus apical part of wing short,e ned.
Genus Trithem,is Br.auer, 1868
• Base of discoidal cell in hind",wing ,at level ,o f arculus.

• Costal side of Dc in forewing not angulated.
• Ana loop made up of more than 6 cells.
• Discoidal field in fore wing beginning with 3 rows 'o fc,ells.
• Claw hooks shorter than the claws and arising from about midd e of the atter.
• Bord'e rs of anal loop converge and meet before posterior border of wing.
• Distal antenoda' nervure in fore wing incomplete.
• Lobe of prathor,a x small and usually naked.
• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders converging strongly at wing margin.
• Discoidal eel in fore wing broader, its costal side is ,a bout one-half the length
of basal.
• No supplementary nervure IRii present between Rii and Riii.
20. Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889)

(Fig. 35)
Size : Male : Abdomen 28~32 tnm.

IIindwing : 30.. 36 mm.
Female: Abdomen 26-28 mm.

llindwing : .30-32 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head :

Labrum black, with two large basal
,c Itron-yellow spots. Fac,e and frons
yellow; upper surfa,c e of frons ,and vesi,clc
metallic purpl'e; -occiput yellow. Eyes
reddish brown above, paler laterally and
bluish-grey belo,,'.
Thorax : Prothorax black marked with

some yellow spots. Pterothorax
Fig. 35. rrflh 'mi . pallidinen'is (Kirby 1889)
olivaceous-brown on dorsum, which is thickly coated with greyish hairs; three black
stripes on each side. Legs very long and spidery, black, anterior pair of femora bright
yellow for basal half.
Wings : Hyaline with reddish reticulation and bright amber-yellow basal fascia at
the extreme base. Pterostigma bicolourous, black with creatny-white ends.
Abdomen : Black, marked with bright yellow. Segments 9 and 10 entirely black.
Anal appendages yellow at base, black for the apical half.
Female: Closely resemble males but little paler than the later. Unlike males, the
segment 10 yellow dorsally.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults occur sympatrically along the marshy
lakes and freshwater as well as brackish-water ponds.
Flight period : April-July.
Distribution : Found in Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand,

Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Myanmar.
Subfamily TRAMEINAE
• Medium sized dragonflies.

• Body short and wings longer.
• Rspl and Mspl distinct like a primary longitudinal vein and with 2-3 row of cells
in between.
• Anal field strongly broadened in hind-wing, with numerous small cells basal of the
anal loop, correlated with a characteristic triangular shape of hind-wings.
Genus Rhyothemis Hagen, 1867

• Discoidal field in fore wing beginning with 3 to 5 rows of cells.
MITRA AND MITRA: Pictorial Handbook ,on the comm,on Dr~g,on and Damselflies 45
• Sectors of arculus in fore-wing separated and diverging at origin.

• Body dark metallic.
• Frons metallic above.
• Wings generally broadly coloured with black and golden",amber.
21. RI,yothemis variegata 'v ari,e gata (Linnaeus, 1763)

(Fig. 36)
Size ': Male : Abdomen : 23-25mm. Hindwing : 33-36 mm.
Fema/,e : Abdomen: 20 ... 22 mm. Hindwing : 28 .. 37 mm.
Field diagnosis: Male: Head

· Labium p,a le yellow, labrum
black and clypeus creamy
yellow. Frons <;lull yellow at the
lower border and 'm etallic blue
for the remainIng portion along
with vesicles:; Eyes dark reddish-
brown above.
Thorax : Prothorax black.

Pterothorax dull metallic green.
Fig. 36. Rhyothem.is variega,ta vari,egata (Linnaeus, 1763)
L,e gs black. (Male)
Wings : Save for the other characters, the species can easily he identified in the
field only by the colourful wings that show strong sexual dimorphism . The male with
whole of wing tint,e d amber-yellow., forew'ng with blackish brown spots at node,
discoidal cell and at apex. The spots of hind ... wing are similar to th.at of fore-wing
with additional spots at middle of RUi and two broad longitudinal basal bands; one
,~Iong tbe cubital space and another at tbe anal loop area.
Ab,d omen : Entirely black. Anal appendages long and slim.
Female H,e ad, thorax ,a nd

abdomen similar to that of males.
Wings broader and shorter than males
and differ widely in colouration.
Fore-wing hyaline from node to apex
and amber-yellow from base to node,
basal half with broad black markings.
Hind-wing hyaline only at ,a pex and
rest amber-yellow with broad black
irregular markings extending as far
as pterostigma. Fig. 37. Rhyothemis v,a riegata vllri,e gata
( innaeus, 1763) (Female)
IIabits and Habitat preference : Adults weakly flutter along marshy ponds and
weedy water tanks.
Flight period : Late April - July.

Distribution Found in Viet Nam, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Genus Pantala Hagen, 1861
• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders converging strongly at wing margin.
• Discoidal cell in fore wing very narrow, its costal side is about one-third the
length of basal.
• A conspicuous supplementary nervure IRii present between Rii and Riii.
22. Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

(Fig. 38)
Size: Male: Abdomen: 27-35 mm. Hindwing : 37-40 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Labium variably pale brown or yellowish, with
middle lobe and apposed borders of lateral lobes dark brown; labrum bright ochreous
broadly bordered with black; anteclypeus pale olivaceous-yellow; postclypeus and
frons bright golden-yellow or orange, often suffused with reddish in front; vesicle
bright ochreous. Eyes reddish-brown above, bluish laterally and beneath.
Thorax : Prothorax rich ochreous, with a transverse belt of dark reddish-brown

between anterior and middle lobes; Pterothorax olivaceous or ferruginous, coated
thickly with yellowish downy hair. Legs black, bases and extensor surface of all
felnora yellowish.
MITRA AND MITRA ,: Pictorial Handbook on Ihe commOIl DI;agon and Damsel flies 47
Wings: Hyaline. Base of hind wing pale go l d c n ~ ye now as far distal as anal loop and
with a narr'ow ,a pical brown
spot limited toO posterior border
of wing; pterostigma reddish ..
brown, and unequal in fore and
hind wings.
Abdomen ,: Bright ochreous,

dorsum tinted wi th bright
brick .. red, sides of segmen,ts 1
to 4 pal,e yellow; segments 8 to
10 with sharply-defined black
mid-dorsal pyriform spots with I
narrow ,e nd of spots at base of I
segments; vestiges of these

,s pots at apical end of segInen ts
6 and 7 in some specitnen s.
An:al ,append,ages ochreous ,
changing to bla,c k toward s
apex.
Female : Quite similar to
male, from which it differs in
the following points:- Eyes
oliv,a ce'o us ...brown above; face
vivid chrome-yellow without
any reddish tinting.
Fig. 38. Pantala fla\ ·escc.lls (Fabrici us, 1798)
Habits and Habitat prefe.r ence : Adults are COlnmon invariably ev.erywher,e, over
tbe paddy fields, irrigation channels, ponds, small pools of water, lakes and even high
on roads during the rainy seasons. Ovipositi,o n occurs in tandem in these fields.
Fig. 39. Male wings of PantoJa j[,Qv,escens

Pantala flavescens is believed to be the only migratory odonata that Inigrates with
monsoon winds. I have recorded unusual time of oviposition from Dehradun valley,
which ascertains the presence of local population.
Distl'ibution : Found in Guandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan,

Peninsular Malaysia, Lao, Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines,
Japan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Asian Russia, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and
Bhutan.
Genus Tramea Hagen, 1861

• Discoidal field in fore-wing with borders diverging slightly at wing margin.
• Genital hamules very large, projecting and conspicuous in profile.
• Cells at the base of hind wing becoming arranged into straight rows of closely
packed narrow cells.
• Pterostigma unequal in both the wings; that of hind-wing is smaller than the fore-wing.
• One row of cells between IRiii and Rspl.
• Riii evenly curved, not undulated.
• Apical angle of anal loop much more acute than the distal.
23. Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842)

(Fig. 40)
Female : Abdomen : 35 mm. Hindwing : 49 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head: Face and frons olivaceous, the latter suffused with
bright rose-red and with a very broad black border at base above which has a metallic
violaceous reflex; occiput dark olivaceous. Eyes reddish-brown above, paler below.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pictorial Handbook o.n ,the common Dragon ,and Damsel flies 49
Thorax ': Prothorax d,a rk ochreous with a black stripe between anterior and the
middl'e lobes~ Pterothor,a x dark oliv,a ceous-green. L,egs bla'ck.
Wings : Hyaline with reddish

reticulation at basal half. Only a
singl,e black spot of variable size at
the base 'o f hind wing ,a nd a very
broad, dark brunt... brown mark
extending distally to distal end of
disclo idal cell and involving nearly
whole of ,a nal loop of the saIne
wing are sufficient ,e nough toO
distinguish the species in the field.
Pterostigma dark ochreous and that
'o f hind-wing slightly more than half
the length of that of fore-wing.
Fig. 40. Tramea virgini,a (Ra'mbuT., 1842)
Abdomen : Bright red marked with black on last three segments. Anal appendages
black, red at extre'm e base.
Fern,ale : More or less same as males excepting the sexual characters. Base of
hind-wing s'e ems to have two spots by a large indentation.
Habits and Habitat preference : ,A dults are shy insects and fly along marshy
w,a ter ch,a nnels.
Flight period ,: May-July.
Distribution : Found in Guandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Viet
Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India" Japan,Myanm,a rand Bangladesh.
Genus Tholymis Hag,e n, 1861
• Base of dIscoidal cell in hind-wing at level of arculus.

• Costal side of Dc in fore wing not angulated,.
• Anal loop made up of more than -6 cells.
• Claw hooks shorter than the claws and arising from ,a bout m'i ddle of tbe latt,er.
• Borders of ,a nal loop running on to meet posterior border of wing, ,a pex of loop
open.
I. Abdomen broad at bas,e then tapering gradually to the end.
I. Male with ,an opalescle nt white spot at the centre of hindwrng.
so Zoo/,. Surv. India
24. Th,olymis tillargo (Fabricius, 179.8)

(Fig. 41)
Fig. 41. Tholymis .ti.l1a~ga (Fabricius, 1798)
Size: Mal,e : Abd,o men : 28".33 mm. Hindwing : 33 .. 37 mm.
Female: Abdomen: 27-31 mm. Hindwing : 31 .. 37 mm.
Field diagnosis: Male: Head: Face and fr,ons yellowish t,o ochreous. Eyes brown
capped with reddish, oliva,c,eous below.
Thorax : Prothorax ,and pterothorax golden yellow. Legs ochreous.
Wings: Hyaline, with a hrload golden-brown fascia extending from n'o de to base of
hind . .wing which, togetber with the above said opalescent white spot at the centre of
the same wing makes the species distinct in the field. Ptero.stigma reddish-brown ,and
is fr.amed in thick black oervures.
Ab,domen : Bright rust red. Anal appendages reddish.

Female ; 'Q uite same as the males but devoid of the opalescent white spot.
Habits and Habitat preference : Adults are cre,pus,e ular in habit and br,e eds in
marshy w,a ter bodies.
Flight period : Almost throughout the year,.

Distribution : Found in 'G uandong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiw,an, Peninsular
Malaysia, Lao, Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, India:, Sri L,a nka, Philippines, Japan,
Myanmar ,and B,a ngladesh.
MITRA AND MITRA : Pict,orial Han,dbook onthecomm,on Dragon and D,amseljIies 51
Subfamily UROTHEMIS'TINAE
• The sectors of the arculus are not fused.
• Ven,ation quite open, with few antenodaI crossveins (about 5).
Genus Macrodip,l ax Brauer, 1868
• Base ,o f discoidal cell in hind wing at level of ar'c uius ora shade distal.
• Costal side ,o f Dc in fore wing not angulated.
• Dis,c oid,al field in for,e wing beginning with 2 rows of ,c ells.
• Claw hooks sborter than the claws and arising from about middle of the latter.
• Bord,e rs of an.al loop converge ,and me'e t before postlerior border of wing.
• Disltal anten-odal nervure in for'e wing completle.
• Lobe of prothorax small and inconspicuous, usually naked.
• Frons non-metalli,c above.
• Only 1 or 2 rows of c,e lls between IRU; and Rspl.
'. Subtri,g'one in fore-wing 3-celled.
• Blalck dorsal markings on all abdominal s'e gments from 1 to 10.
25. Macrod~p,lax cora (Brauer, 1867)

(Fig. 42)
Sizle : Male : Abdomen ! 15-17 mm. Hindwing : 30.. 32 mm.
Female : Abdomen : 22.. 24 mm. Hindwing: 32 'mm.
Field dia'g no'sis : Male : Head : Fa'ce and frons dark red. Eyes ,capped with
reddish..b.rown, pale yellow below.
Thorax Prothorax
blackish-brown.
Pterothorax golden olivaceous on dorsum;
laterally bluish"green, with a short black
streak on the upper part of e,ach lateral suture.
Legs black.
Wings : Hyaline, with a narrow ,amber-

yellow band at basal border of hind-wing.
Pterostigma bright .ochreous framed in thick
bla'c k nervures, cov,e ring les'S than .one cell.
Fig,. 42. Macrodiplax cora (Brauer, 1867)
52 ZO,QI. Surv. India
Abdomen : Bright red on dorsum with mid dorsal black marking extending the
\vhole length. Anal appendages ochr'e ous.
Female : More or less similar to males but, more robust than the latt,er.
Habits and Habitat prefer,e nce : Adults are common along marshy water
channels, freshw,a ter ponds, semi-saline ponds and brackishw,a ter ne,a r estuaries.
Upoft disturbance the males flies high up and again returns lnostly to th,e same perch.
Flight period : April-S,e ptember.
Distribut" on : Found in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Peninsular Mal.,a ysia, Thailand,
Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines ,and Jap,an.
Genus Uro,t hemis Brauer, 1868
• Base of dis,c oidal IClell in hind wing ,at level of arculus or a shade distal.
• Cost.al side of Dc in fore wing not ,an,gulat1ed.
• Anal loop made up of more than 6 ,c ells.
• Dis,c oidal field in fore wing beginning with 2 rows of cells.
• Borders of anal loop Ic onv,e rgeand meet befor,e post,e rior border of wing.
e Distal antenodal nervur,e in for,e wing ,c omplete.
• Lobe of prothorax small and inconspicuous, usually naked.
• Only 1 or 2 rows of ,e'ells between IRiii and Rspl.
• Subtrigone in fore-wing 3 . . celled.
'. Black dorsal m,a rkings on abdominal segrn,e nts 9 and 10 only.
26. Ur()th enl is ,s ignata signata (Ralnbur., 1842)

(Fig. 43)
Fig. 43. Urothemis signata signata (Ramhur. 1842)

MITRA AN D MITRA : Pictorial Handbook on the common Dragon and Damsel flies 53

Female : Abdomen : 25-27 mm. Hindwing : 34-36 mm.
Field diagnosis : Male : Head : Face and frons blood-red. Eyes blood-red above,
reddish-brown laterally, lilaceous below.
Thorax : Pro thorax dark reddish-brown. Pterothorax red on dorsum to olivaceous
with reddish tinge laterally. Legs dark brown.
Wings: Hyaline with crimson reticulation. Base of fore-wing with golden amber at
the extreme border while that of hind-wing much broader and extended and sufficient
enough to identify the species in the field. Pterostigma ochreous above, pale whitish-
yellow below.
Abdomen : Blood-red with black stripes on the dorsum of segments 8 and 9. Anal
appendages pale reddish.
Female : Ground colour more brownish to ochreous than blood-red of male. Anal
appendages tipped with black.
Habits and Habitat preference: Adults are quite common near the small weedy
ponds and permanent monsoon ponds.
Flight period : Late April-July.
Distribution: Found in China, Hainan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand,
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
SUGGESTED READINGS
Aksornkoae, S. 1993. Ecology and Management of Mangrove. IUCN - The World

Conservation Union. Bangkok, Thailand : 1-176.
Alongi, D.M., Sasekumar, A., Tirendi, F. and Dixon, P. 1998. The influence of stand
age on benthic decomposition and recycling of organic matter in managed
mangrove forests of Malaysia. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and
Ecology 225 (2) : 197-218.
Azariah, J., Azariah, H., Gunasekaran, S. and Selvam, V. 1992. Structure and species
distribution in Coringa mangrove forest, Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Hydrobiologia, 247 : 11-16.
Butler, H. 1904. The labium of Odonata. Trans. Amer. ent. Soc., 30 : 111-134.
Campbell, A and O'Toole, C. 1987. Animals of the world - Insects and other
Invertebrates. The Leisure Circle Ltd, York House, Empire Way, Wembley,
Middlesex HA9 OPF, England : 24-31.
Chakraborti, K. 1995. Generic and species diversity of animal vegetation dynamics of

Sunderban mangroves, South Bengal laterite tracts of West Bengal and North
Bengal forests - an ecological study. The Indian Forester, 112 (5) : 407-416.
Choudhuri, P.K.R. 1991. Biomass production of mangrove plantation in Sunderbans,

West Bengal (India) - a case study. The Indian Forester, 117 (1) : 3-12.
Corbet, P.S. 1953. A te~inology for the labium of larval Odonata. Entomologist, 86
: 191-196.
Corbet, P.S. 1962. A biology of dragonflies. Witherby, London: xvi+I-247.
Erondu, E.S. 1990. The diet of wild and pond-cultured catfish Chrysichthys
nigrodigitatus Bagridae, in mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Journal of African Zoology, 104 (5) : 367-374.
Fraser, F.C. 1933. Odonata : I. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon &
Burma. Taylor & Francis Ltd., London.
Fraser, F.C. 1934. Odonata : II. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon &
Fraser, F.e. 1936. Odonata " III. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon &
Goswami, S.C. 1992. Zooplankton ecology of the mangrove habitats of Goa. In
tlTropical Ecosystems: Ecology and Management (K.P. Singh and 1.S. Singh,
II
eds) : 321-332. Wiley Eastern, Delhi, India.
Imms, A.D. 1973. A General Textbook of Entomology. ELBS and Chapman & Hall
Ltd.
Kathiresan, K. and Bingham B.L. 2001. Biology of Mangroves and Mangrove

Ecosystems. Advances in Marine Biology, 40 : 81-251.
Kumar, A. 1976. Biology of Indian dragonflies with special reference to seasonal

regulation and larval development. Bull. Ent., 17 : 37-47.
Lahiri, A.R and Mitra B. 1993. New records of dragon flies (Insecta : Odonata) from
Bay Islands. J. Andaman. Sci. Assoc., 9(1 & 2) : 58-62.
Mitra, A. 1996a. Reproductive ethobiology of Pseudagrion rubriceps Selys (Zygoptera

: Pseudagriinae) at Asan Reservoir (Dehradun : India). Ann. For., 4(2) : 139-
144, 1 coloured plate.
Mitra, A. 1996b. A note on dragonfly predation by the garden lizard, Calotes versicolor
(Daudin). Ann. Forestry, 4(1) : 113-115.
Mitra, A. 1996c. A note on the seasonal ecology of Pantala flavescens (Fabricius)

(Anisoptera : Libellulidae) in Dehra Dun Valley, India. Fraseria (N.S.) 2(1/2) :
13-15.
Mitra, A. 1998. Notes on the emergence behaviour of Trithemis festiva (Rambur)

(Odonata : Anisoptera) under laboratory condition. Ann. For., 6(1) : 72-78.
Mitra, A., 2000. An annotated Dragonfly (Odonata : Insecta) inventory of Asan

Reservoir (Dehra Dun : India). Notul.Odonatol., 5(5) : 57-60.
Mitra, A. 2002. Dragonfly (Odonata : Insecta) Fauna of Trashigang Dzongkhag,

Eastern Bhutan. In : Gyeltshen, T. & Sadruddin (ed.) "Environment and Life
Support Systems of the Bhutan Himalaya, Vol. I", Sherubtse College, Kanglung,
Bhutan : 40-70.
Mitra, A. 2006. Current Status of the Odonata of Bhutan : A Checklist with four new
records. Bhu.J.RNR. 2(1) : 136-143.
Mitra, T. R. 2006. Handbook on Common Indian Dragonflies (Insecta : Odonata) :

1-124. Published by the Director, Zoo1. Surv. India, Kolkata.
Murphy, D.H. 1990. The air-breathing arthropods of the mangrove system. In "Essays
in Zoology" (L.M. Chou and P.K.L. Ng, eds) : 169-176. Department of Zoology,
National University of Singapore.
Prasad, M. & Varshney, R.K. 1995. A Checklist of the Odonata of India including data
on Larval studies. Oriental Insects, 29 : 385-428.
Silsby, J. 2001. Dragonflies of the world. Published in the UK and Europe by the
Natural History Museum in association with CSIRO Publishing : 1-216.
Snodgrass, R.E., 1954. The dragonfly larva. Smithson. Misc. CoUns., 123(2) : 1-38.
TSuda, S. 2000. A distributional list of world Odonata, vi+ 1-430.
Veenakumari, K., Mohanraj, P. and Bandyopadhyay, A.K. 1997. Insect herbivores and
their natural enemies in the mangals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Journal of Natural History, 31 (7) : 1105-1126.
Yousuf, M.; Khaliq, A. & Asghar Ali, M. 1996. Population and feeding habits of some
dragonflies on insect pests of cotton. Fraseria (NS), 2(1/2) : 1-3.
Related Websites :
http://www.bernstein.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/odonata/phylosys.htm
http://www.asia-dragonfly.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odonata
"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_Swallow
http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/whitep/chll.htm
http://www.huntsman.com/pigments/biodiversity/telukkalung-angroveswamps.htm

Handbook of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Handbook of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Handbook of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pictorial Handbook on

COMMON DRAGON AND DAMSEL FLIES

Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata

Zoological Survey of India

Published : May, 2009

© Govt. of India, 2009

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Finally we would like to acknowledge the continuous encouragement provided by

Subfamily ARGIINAE ........................................................................................................ 25

Genus Diplacodes ........................................................................................................... 39

Dragonflies are large-sized, predacious, hemimetabolous and amphibiotic insects,

IOdonata I · An·sozygoptera ~ ....._ ....._ _ _ __

Dragonfly imago popularly known as "Helicopter" is the typical example of the

F·g. 1. Body parts ofa fem:ale Dragonfly

Fig. 2. Head and Eyes of Odon,ata

F' g. 3. Anisopteran wing

:ig. 4.• Zygopter.an wing

The male secondary copulatory

The members of both subord,e rs possess chewing

HABIT, HABITAT AND BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS

Pre-reproductive period is the period in between emergence and reproduction. The

In most Anisopterans the fe'male lays

Thetim,e span for ea'c h behavioural

Besides the well known rendezvous

• Their larvae are good bio-indicators of freshwater pollution.

4. P. decorunt (Ratnbur, 1842)

FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF MANGROVE INIIABITING

Prescnt chapter is the pictorial guide of 26 species and subspecies of Inangrove

CLOSED WING POND DAMSELFLIES

• Genital halnules of male quadrate.

• Cells of the wing mostly five sided.

• Dc always has an acute distal angle.

• Wings are not particularly petiolate.

• Vein fA leaves the wing border at or very near Ac.

• The pterostigma is small, subtending one cell or less.

Genus Ceriagrion Selys, 1876

• Prolninent ridge on frons.

• Absence of post-ocular coloured spots.

I. Ceria,gl';oll cer;/uJ,-uhellulll (Brauer, 1865)

Fig. 12. C eriagrioll cer;norubellum (Brauer. 18(5)

Size : Male : AbdoJnen : 31-33 lum. Hindwing : 20 21 Inln.

Female: Abdolnen: 31-35 tnm. Hindwing : 20-21 InlTI.

Wings : Hyaline. Pterostigma amber-fnted, paler around the circutnference and

Flight period '; May-July.

2. ,Ceriagr;oll corolluuulelialltllll (Fabri,cius, 1798)

F:ig. 13,. Ceriagrion ,{'oromarJdeliaflum (Fabricius, 1798)

Size: Mule: Abdomen ': 28-30 mm. Hindwin,g : 18-20 mm.

Female : Abdomen ': 29 ... 32 mm. Hindwing : 20 mm.

Flight period: Almost throughout the year.

Genus Ps,eul/,ag,rioll Selys, 1876

• 10-12 postnodals in fore-wings.

3. Pseudagrioll australai,ue Selys, 1876

Fig. 15. Pseudagriofl ,ollsll'oiasiae Seiys, 1876

Size: Male: Abdolnen : 30-32.5 Inm. Hindwing : 20-21 InIn.

Fe,male : Abdomen: 29 InlTI, Hindwing : 20 mm.

4.Pselu/agr;oll deCOrll11t (Ratnbur, 1842)

Fig. 16. Pseud,agrioll decorum ( Rambu c 1842)

Si,ze : Male : Abdolnen : 28,.. 30 Inln. Hi nd\ving : 18-20 Inln .

Flight period : Late February-October.

Distribution : Found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanlnar and Bangladesh.