Odonata of Peninsular Malaysia

Odonata Checklist for Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak - IV

2011-12-28T22:42:00.002+08:00

I visited Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak for the forth time yesterday to survey the odonate diversity. I managed to add five more species to the previous checklist. The added five species are Orthetrum glaucum, Orthetrum sabina, Brachydiplax farinosa, Potamarcha congener and Neurothemis fulvia. Now the total number of odonate species recorded from Sg Durian is 41.

Odonata Checklist for Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak

Family Calopterygidae
Neurobasis chinensis
Vestalis amethystina
Vestalis amoena

Family Chlorocyphidae
Heliocypha perforata
Heliocypha biforata
Libellago lineata

Family Euphaeidae
Dysphaea dimidiata
Euphaea impar
Euphaea ochracea

Family Megapodagrionidae
Rhinagrion mima

Family Coenagrionidae
Agriocnemis femina
Argiocnemis rubescens
Onychargia atrocyana
Mortonagrion aborense
Pseudagrion pruinosum

Family Platycnemididae
Copera ciliata
Copera marginipes

Family Protoneuridae
Prodasineura humeralis
Prodasineura collaris

Family Gomphidae
Burmagomphus williamsoni
Ictinogomphus decoratus
Paragomphus capricornis

Family Libellulidae
Aethriamanta gracilis
Brachydiplax chalybea
Brachydiplax farinosa
Cratilla lineata
Cratilla metallica
Neurothemis fluctuans
Neurothemis fulvia
Onychothemis culminicola
Orthetrum chrysis
Orthetrum glaucum
Orthetrum luzonicum
Orthetrum sabina
Orthetrum testaceum
Potamarcha congener
Tetrathemis irregularis
Tetrathemis platyptera
Trithemis aurora
Trithemis festiva
Zygonyx iris

Drepanosticta sharpi

2011-12-09T00:04:00.003+08:00

Drepanosticta quadrata, D. fontinalis and D. sharpi look alike to each other, and only close inspection on anal appendages could tell them apart. Below photo shows a male of D. sharpi.

Lestes dorothea

2011-11-18T17:48:00.002+08:00

Lestes dorothea is definitely a rare damselfly species in Peninsular Malaysia.

Coeliccia didyma

2011-11-17T17:35:00.005+08:00

Coeliccia didyma resembles C. albicauda on the thoracic dorsal marking. However, it is distinguished from C. albicauda by havinng blue tail and has larger size. In Peninsular Malaysia, the distribution of C. didyma is more to the northern part.

a male of Coeliccia didyma

Ceriagrion fallax

2011-11-17T12:33:00.005+08:00

Ceriagrion fallax is a highland damselfly species. Sporadically, they are found in lowland.

Vestalis luctuosa

2011-10-12T17:26:00.004+08:00

I went to Java for Odonata last week. For me, Vestalis is always a metallic green body beautiful odonate. But, my witness of Vestalis luctousa in Java has changed my mind - Vestalis species are not just beautiful but they are highly elegant!

a male Vestalis luctuosa

a female Vestalis luctuosa

Podolestes orientalis - In Wheel

2011-09-18T17:44:00.002+08:00

I spotted a mating pair of Podolestes orientalis.

Waterfalls

2011-09-01T21:00:00.002+08:00

I visited to a few waterfalls in Terengganu last month. These waterfalls are just beautiful.

Sekayu Waterfall

Lasir Waterfall

Bukit Kesing Waterfall

Libellago aurantiaca

2011-08-31T13:15:00.004+08:00

From far, Libellago aurantiaca looks alike Sundacypha petiolata. However, a close look reveals that the thoracic yellow marking and dark patch on hindwings are different between these two species.

Exploration of Chamah Highlands

2011-07-30T13:40:00.010+08:00

I had the opportunity to join the Exploration of Chamah Highlands organised by Jabatan Perhutanan Kelantan (Kelantan Forestry Department) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. The exploration was held on July 24-29, 2011. We all camped at a site with an evelation of 720 m from sea level. I really enjoyed the cool weather at this altitude. I was at Chamah Highlands for Odonata survey.

a banner showing a welcome message to participants of Chamah Highlands Exploration

an un-named waterfall near the camp site

one of the peaks of the Chamah Higlands

One of the things that attracted my attention is a plane wreckage at the Chamah Highlands at an evelation of 820 m from sea level. The plane named Royal Dakota was on its way to this remote forest to delivery supplies to the Orang Asli living in this area in 1950. The Royal Dakota carried 12 persons including the pilot - 11 Britons and one Malay. Unfortunately, it clashed due to its engine failure. The Orang Asli burried eight bodies near to the plane wreckage, and the other four persons were still missing. The plane wreckage was only rediscovered in 2008 by army.... the plane wreckage and the burial ground had been sleeping for almost 60 years deep in the forest before being rediscovered by people from outside.

the plane wreckage in the Chamah Highlands

A Short Report

2011-07-21T21:12:00.006+08:00

I was in Lao PDR early of this year to attend the IUCN assessment workshop on freshwater biodiversity of Indo-Burma region. I wrote a short report of the workshop for Agrion. You may read the report here.

Odonata Checklist for Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak - III

2011-07-19T15:14:00.011+08:00

I visited Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak for the third time a few days ago to survey the odonate diversity. I managed to add six more species to the previous checklist. The added six species are Vestalis amethystina, Cratilla lineata, Cratilla metallica, Tetrathemis irregularis, Tetrathemis platyptera and Burmagomphus williamsoni. Now the total number of odonate species recorded from Sg Durian is 36.

Odonata Checklist for Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak

Family Calopterygidae
Neurobasis chinensis
Vestalis amethystina
Vestalis amoena

Family Chlorocyphidae
Heliocypha perforata
Heliocypha biforata
Libellago lineata

Family Euphaeidae
Dysphaea dimidiata
Euphaea impar
Euphaea ochracea

Family Megapodagrionidae
Rhinagrion mima

Family Coenagrionidae
Agriocnemis femina
Argiocnemis rubescens
Onychargia atrocyana
Mortonagrion aborense
Pseudagrion pruinosum

Family Platycnemididae
Copera ciliata
Copera marginipes

Family Protoneuridae
Prodasineura humeralis
Prodasineura collaris

Family Gomphidae
Burmagomphus williamsoni
Ictinogomphus decoratus
Paragomphus capricornis

Family Libellulidae
Aethriamanta gracilis
Brachydiplax chalybea
Cratilla lineata
Cratilla metallica
Neurothemis fluctuans
Onychothemis culminicola
Orthetrum chrysis
Orthetrum luzonicum
Orthetrum testaceum
Tetrathemis irregularis
Tetrathemis platyptera
Trithemis aurora
Trithemis festiva
Zygonyx iris

Below are some of the Odonata photos taken at Sg Durian.

Onychothemis culminicola

Mortonagrion aborense (immatured female)

Heliocypha perforata

Pantala flavescens

2011-07-13T10:27:00.002+08:00

Pantala flavescens might be considered the most wide spread Odonata species in the world.

Famel Pantala flavescens

Libellago lineate on wings

2011-06-26T00:35:00.000+08:00

Vestalis amoena - Ovipositing

2011-06-05T11:49:00.002+08:00

The below photo shows an ovipositing Vestalis amoena.

Drepanosticta quadrata - Female

2011-06-05T11:40:00.009+08:00

Drepanosticta quadrata is truely a forest species, and it is widespread in Peninsular Malaysia. I have bumped into the male of D. quadrata on many occassions, but spotting a female of D. quadrata is truely not an easy task. Finally, I spotted females of D. quadrata, and now I know why it is so hard to spot female of D. quadrata....

a female of Drepanosticta quadrata

a female of Drepanosticta quadrata

Orthetrum testaceum on Wings

2011-05-29T23:34:00.001+08:00

This male Orthetrum testaceum is courting an ovipositing female....

Ovipositing - Anax panybeus

2011-05-29T08:44:00.002+08:00

I witnessed a female of Anax panybeus ovipositing in an open pond.....

Female - Trithemis aurora vs Trithemis festiva

2011-05-23T08:29:00.006+08:00

I was asked some time ago by a visitor to my blog how to tell apart the females of Trithemis aurora from Trithemis festiva. The colouration of males for these two species is so distinct that you still could distinguish them easily without wearing glasses (if your vision is impaired)... hehe. You may click here to view the male T. aurora and here to view the male T. festiva. The marking on the abdomen-thorax of female T. aurora is different from that of the female T. festiva.

female of Trithemis aurora

female of Trithemis festiva

Female of Podolestes orientalis

2011-05-22T17:09:00.002+08:00

Finally, I have got a decent photo of female Podolestes orientalis.... You may view the male Podolestes orientalis here.

Orthetrum chrysis in wheel

2011-05-14T19:11:00.003+08:00

I saw so many wheel pairs of Orthetrum chrysis in Bangi Forest Reserve today....

Onychothemis testacea

2011-05-14T16:42:00.005+08:00

Onychothemis testacea is definitely rare in Peninsular Malaysia. I have so far spotted O. testacea at two locations in Peninsular Malaysia - one at Sg Bebar, Pahang and the other one at Bangi Forest Reserve, Selangor. I photographed a male before (click here to view) some time ago. Now, I finally have a a photo of female O. testacea. The female resembles the male in colouration.

a male of Onychothemis testacea
a female of Onychothemis testacea

Seremban Lake Garden

2011-05-09T20:53:00.006+08:00

I arrived at Klana Resort Hotel, Seremban this late afternoon to attend a seminar. I saw a small lake (Seremban Lake Garden; shown in the photos below) not too far from the hotel. After checking in the hotel, I went to the lake to do Odonata observation for two hours (5-7 pm). The weather was good, and I went around the lake looking for Odonata. I spotted ten species of Odonata. Brachythemis contaminata and Pseudagrion microcephalum were present in abundant at the lake in late afternoon.

PS:
I visited again Seremban Lake Garden in the morning two day later. I stayed there for roughly two hours (10am - 12pm). I spotted another 11 species. These additional species have been added to the checklist. Now, the checklist contains 21 species altogether.

Odonata species recorded at Seremban Lake Garden:

Agriocnemis femina (Brauer, 1868)
Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)
Ceriagrion chaoi Schmidt, 1964
Pseudagrion microcephalum (Rambur, 1842)
Pseudagroin rubriceps Selys, 1876
Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops (Selys, 1858)
Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842
Aethriamanta brevipennis (Rambur, 1842)
Aethriamanta gracilis (Brauer, 1878)
Brachydiplax chalybea Brauer, 1868
Brachydiplax farinosa Krüger, 1902
Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)
Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1770)
Neurothemis fluctuans (Fabricius, 1793)
Orthetrum chrysis (Selys, 1891)
Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770)
Pseudothemis jorina Förster, 1904
Rhyothemis phyllis (Sulzer, 1776)
Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798)
Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839)
Urothemis signata insignata (Selys, 1872)

Bangi Forest Reserve

2011-04-24T18:20:00.003+08:00

Bangi Forest Reserve has a small unnamed river. It is a very nice river for many common Odonata species.

Cratilla metallica

2011-04-24T18:04:00.002+08:00

The female Cratilla metallica looks alike the male C. metallica. Below are two photos of female C. metallica. You may view the photos of male C. metallica here.

Kota Damansara Forest Reserve

2011-04-20T11:52:00.004+08:00

I was on a scientific expedition at Kota Damansara Forest Reserve (KDFR), Selangor the last couple of days. KDFR is an island logged-over forest sitting in the middle of Kota Damansara township. This 600-ha forest reserve is surrounded by highway and residential areas. Nevertheless, KDFR contains some lakes and small streams which support some Odonata species. Our group (Odonata group) managed to record 48 Odonata species in KDFR.

one of the few lakes within KDFR
one of the few small streams within KDFR

Trithemis festiva on Wings

2011-04-03T19:02:00.001+08:00

I spotted this female Trithemis festiva ovipositing, and I managed to get some decent shots.

Acisoma panorpoides

2011-02-19T20:04:00.002+08:00

This photo shows the courting behaviour of Acisoma panorpoides. Male is in blue colour while the female is in yellow.

IUCN Workshop in Laos

2011-01-24T15:31:00.007+08:00

I'm back from the IUCN workshop in Vientian, Laos. What a fruitful visit indeed. I met so many regional odonatologists in the workshop. The workshop evaluated freshwater biodiversity of Indo-Myammar, and the evaluation was mainly on aquatic plants, mollucs, fish and dragonflies. The workshop attended by roughly 30 participants of different biodiversity groups, and we had a group photo on the last day of the workshop (photo below).

We were posing on the river bank of Mekong River for the group photo. It is still the dried season in Laos, and the Mekong River is almost dried out.

I was intoxicated every evening in Vientian by this stuff. Of course, I did it with some of the odonatologists!!!! hehehehehehe

I'm off to Laos

2011-01-15T00:14:00.002+08:00

I'm off to Laos tomorrow to attend an IUCN workshop in Vientaine. I hope I could get some time off from the workshop to photograph some odonates of Laos.............

Trithemis festiva (female)

2011-01-06T23:27:00.003+08:00

This is my first posting for year 2011. I'm showing you a photo of Trithemis festiva female. The photo of T. festiva male could be viewed here.

Drepanosticta rufostigma

2010-12-26T20:41:00.002+08:00

Borneo is rich in family Platystictidae, and most members of Platystictidae are endemic species. Drepanosticta rufostigma is a member of Platystictidae, and it is endemic to Borneo.

Drepanosticta actaeon

2010-12-25T22:51:00.003+08:00

Drepanosticta actaeon is an endemic damselfly species to Borneo. It has so far been found in Sabah.

Neurothemis santaclausi

2010-12-23T18:37:00.004+08:00

This is a Neurothemis santaclausi found in Peninsular Malaysia. This species is very seasonal, it only comes out in late December and early January annually. It totally disappears in the other months of the year. Odonatologists are still figuring the reason for this extreme behaviour!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Tetrathemis platyptera

2010-12-15T21:13:00.003+08:00

Tetrathemis platyptera is quite similar to T. irregularis. However, T. platyptera is easily recognized by its tinted wing bases, of which lacking in T. irregularis. Tetrathemis platyptera is much less common than T. irregularis.

Libellago stigmatizans

2010-12-15T21:08:00.004+08:00

Libellago stigmatizans is a beutiful damselfly species with a bit of orange colour on the head. It is normally found at rocky forest streams.

Rhinocypha humeralis

2010-12-07T12:13:00.002+08:00

Rhinocypha humeralis is found abundantly in Imbak Canyon (Borneo Sabah). The blue marking on the side of its abdomen is just beautiful. The female of R. humeralis is rather dull in colour, but the wing tips is dark.

a male Rhinocypha humeralis
a female Rhinocypha humeralis

Rhinagrion elopurae

2010-12-06T23:22:00.003+08:00

Rhinagrion elopurae is truely an elegant damselfly from Borneo......

a male Rhinagrion elopurae
a female Rhinagrion elopurae

Vestalis beryllae

2010-12-06T22:39:00.003+08:00

Borneo is extremely rich in Vestalis species. These Vestalis species are hardly distingiushed by photographs except V. beryllae. Vestalis beryllae has extremely long abodomen. It could be straight away recognized from far by its long abdomen. Vestalis beryllae is normally spotted at slope far away from water, and always only present in one or two individuals. I photographed this V. beryllae at the ridge of Imbak Canyon. It was a tough and tiring journey to go up to the ridge of Imbak Canyon, and this nice V. beryllae photo paid off the sweat and hard work of me climbing up to the dangerous ridge!

Imbak Canyon - A Haven on Earth

2010-12-06T11:05:00.005+08:00

I'm back from Imbak Canyon (Sabah)!

Full of excitement, full of adventures, full of joy, full of everything...... Imbak Canyon is truely a haven on earth.

Over 30 species of Odonata have been recorded within 10 days of field work in Imbak Canyon. I managed to snap good shots on few of these species, and I shall share with you in the next few blog entries......

the misty morning of Kangkawat River

another view of misty morning of Kangkawat River

the magnificent Kuli Waterfall

Crossing Imbak River to get into Imbak Canyon Conservation Area

I'm on Field Again Soon...........

2010-11-20T23:26:00.002+08:00

In less than a week time I will be setting my feet on Borneo Sabah for dragonflies. I will be joining a scientific expedition to Imbak Canyon. This will be my first experience on sampling Odonata of Sabah, though I have done twice sampling of Odonata in Sarawak. I am really looking forward for this exciting field trip..........

Indocnemis orang

2010-11-07T20:53:00.002+08:00

I bumped into these two individuals of Indocnemis orang at Sg Tekala Recreational Forest. They are just gorgeous.

male
female

Sg Tekala Recreational Forest

2010-11-07T20:35:00.003+08:00

Sg Tekala Recreational Forest, Selangor is not far from the place I live - 25 km to be exact. I passed by the recreational forest a few times only, but I never got off my car to pay a visit to the recreational forest. Nevertheless, I've finally paid a visit to the recreational forest over the weekend. To my surprise, I was really impressed by the beauty and peace of the recreational forest. The recreational forest is built along Sg Tekala. It could be very busy during weekends. Visitors (mainly families) tend to gether not far from the entrance of the recreational forest for having a nice day-out. For those who fancy peace, however, may have to get deep into the recreational forest.

Sg Tekala
Sg Tekala
Small waterfall at the upstream of Sg Tekala

Neurothemis terminata

2010-10-18T11:02:00.002+08:00

I haven't seen any Neurothemis terminata in Peninsular Malaysia. So, N. terminata is rare in Peninsular Malaysia. However, N. terminata is not rare in Borneo. During my field trip to Sarawak lately, I spotted some N. terminata. Neurothemis terminata looks alike N. fluctuans (very common in Peninsular Malaysia) and N. fulvia.

Libellago lineata in Wheel

2010-10-17T13:42:00.002+08:00

I see Libellago lineata regularly in Bangi Forest Reserve with male and female in equal number. However, these L. lineata individuals are not horny - hardly see them in copulation. My latest visit to Bangi Forest Reserve was rewarding as I spotted a wheel pair of L. lineata, and of course I took some shots on this wheel pair.

Archibasis rebeccae

2010-09-25T19:47:00.003+08:00

Archibasis rebeccae is one of the odonates endemic to Peninsular Malaysia (including Singapore). Its blue marking on the abdominal segment 10 is quite variable. Archibasis rebeccae is not a common species, and I spotted it in a few occassions only.

Ictinogomphus decoratus - Female

2010-09-25T19:42:00.001+08:00

Now I have a better picture of female Ictinogomphus decoratus...... Click here to see the male of I. decoratus.

Brachydiplax farinosa - Female

2010-09-25T19:35:00.002+08:00

It is quite hard to spot female Brachydiplax farinosa eventhough the male is present in abundant. Anyway, I finally managed to spot a female of B. farinosa for a few photographs.

Two New Amphicnemis Species

2010-09-08T08:48:00.008+08:00

Two new species of Amphicnemis appeared today in the scientific journal Zootaxa (click here to read the preview of the article). They are Amphicnemis bebar Dow, Choong & Ng, 2010 and Amphicnemis hoisen Dow, Choong & Ng, 2010. Both the new species were found at Sg Bebar swamp forest in September 2009. Therefore, two more species have been added to the Odonata checklist of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.

Amphicnemis bebar

Amphicnemis hoisen

Below are lateral views of the anal appendages for A. bebar and A. hoisen.

Amphicnemis bebar

Amphicnemis hoisen

Odonata Checklist for Bangi Forest Reserve

2010-09-04T23:56:00.004+08:00

I put an entry on the Odonata checklist of Bangi Forest Reserve and UKM Bangi Campus on March 31, 2008. At the time the checklist had 74 odonate species. By September 4, 2010, the total number of odonate species on the checklist has increased to 92 - 60 species are dragonflies and 32 species are damselflies. This shows the richness of odonate fauna in Bangi Forest Reserve.

Rhyothemis phyllis in Wheel

2010-09-04T20:26:00.004+08:00

Rhyothemis phyllis is abundant in Peninsular Malaysia. However, it is infrequent to see them in wheel. Maybe one of the reasons is that the duration in wheel is pretty short for R. phyllis, and this seems to be the same for other Rhyothemis species. I was lucky enough to have a wheel pair landed not too far before my camera, and I just managed to snap two shots. One shots turned acceptable.

Camacinia gigantea

2010-09-04T20:10:00.003+08:00

I have been observing dragonflies for the last six years in Peninsular Malaysia, I only bumped into Camacinia gigantea at two locations. So, C. gigantea is definately very local in Peninsular Malaysia. Taking photos of C. gigantea is always chanllenging as it does not perch frequently. Nevertheless, I finally managed to get close to C. gigantea to take some decent photos. Looking at C. gigantea is just like looking at a very large Neurothemis fluctuans. The site where I spotted C. gigantea also showed the presence of N. fluctuans. So, there you go with the scene of big and small "Neurothemis fluctuans" flying around.

Rhodothemis rufa

2010-09-04T19:19:00.005+08:00

Rodothemis rufa, Crocothemis servilia, Orthetrum testaceum and Orthetrum chrysis are always confusing because all of them are red dragonflies with quite similar size. Orthetrum chrysis and O. testaceum may be distinguished from R. rufa and C. servilia by noticing the colour of eyes. Rhodothemis rufa and C. servilia have red eyes but O. chrysis and O. testaceum have brown/dark eyes. To differentiate R. rufa from C. servilia is not difficult - i) C. servilia has black strip on the dorsal of abdomen but not in R. rufa; ii) the eyes of R. rufa are barely touching each other but the eyes of C. servilia well touching each other. Below are two photos of R. rufa. The second photo shows the eyes of R. rufa barely touching each other.

Rhodothemis rufa perching on grass blade

Fighting for Women!

2010-08-31T19:14:00.002+08:00

These two guys (Libellago lineata) are fighting for women!

Paragomphus capricornis - Female

2010-08-29T18:05:00.002+08:00

Paragomphus capricornis is a medium size gomphid species. I bumped into a female P. capricornis in Bangi Forest Reserve. The female and male P. capricornis have similar marking. Click here to see a male P. capricornis.

female Paragomphus capricornis

Coeliccia octogesima - In Tandem

2010-08-28T20:53:00.004+08:00

Male Coeliccia octogesima is more commonly spotted than female. To bump into a tandem pair of C. octogesima is something to be celebrated. I spotted a tandem pair of C. octogesima, and I waited for 20 minits to see if they would form a wheel pair before my eyes. However, they vanished before me, and I have to content myself with just tandem pair photos. The female C. octogesima has different thoracic marking than the male. Click here to see the clear thoracic marking of male C. ocotogesima.

Burmagomphus divaricatus - Female

2010-08-27T20:18:00.002+08:00

Burmagomphus divaricatus is a medium size gomphid species occurring at muddy forest stream. I spotted a female of B. divaricatus at a small muddy stream in Bangi Forest Reserve. The male and female of B. divaricatus have similar yellow marking on thorax. Click here to see the male adult of B. divaricatus.

Female of Burmagomphus divaricatus

Microgomphus chelifer - Female

2010-08-27T20:09:00.004+08:00

Microgomphus chelifer is a small gomphid species with a size of hw 20 mm. Well, its small size is well indicated by the name "micro" meaning small. I spotted a female of M. chelifer at a muddy small forest stream. I didn't expect to see M. chelifer at this type of habitat (the common habitat for this species is clear forest stream). The male and female of M. chelifer have similar yellow marking on thorax.

a female of Microgomphus chelifer
the characteristic side thoric marking of Microgomphus chelifer

Book - Dragonflies of Singapore

2010-08-24T21:22:00.002+08:00

I received a complimentary copy of the book A Photographic Guide to the Dragonflies of Singapore. The book is authored by H.B. Tang, L.K. Wang and M. Hamalainen, and published by National University of Singapore. It is really an excellent book with excellent photos. I give a thumb up for the book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book because there is a photo (Rhyothemis pygmaea, pp. 191) in the book contributed by me.

Libellago lineata - Female

2010-08-22T21:39:00.002+08:00

Showing below are photos of female Libellago lineata. Click here to view the photos of male L. lineata.

Gynacantha subinterrupta - Female

2010-08-19T22:46:00.003+08:00

I knew that one Gynacantha subinterrupta female larva wanted to emerge in an very early morning. I waited until 2 o'clock morning for the larva to emerge, and I was so tried that I decided to go to bed....

a female larva of Gynacantha subinterrupta is out of water and clinging high away from water. It emerged three hours later.
the young adult of female Gynacantha subinterrupta - 15 hours after the larval emergence
the young adult of female Gynacantha subinterrupta - 15 hours after the larval emergence

Potamarcha congener

2010-08-15T13:29:00.002+08:00

Potamarcha congener is normally found at exposed ponds and lakes. It is neither common nor scarce.

Larval Emergence - Ictinogomphus decoratus

2010-08-13T09:13:00.002+08:00

I witnessed the larval emergence of Ictinogomphus decoratus (female)......

Larval Emergence - Epophthalmia vittigera (Female)

2010-08-09T10:50:00.003+08:00

I have been breeding Epophthalmia vittigera larvae. One of the larvae was out of the water around midnight. I knew that it would be emerging that night, but I was too tired to stay up the night to record the larval emergence. So, I snapped a few shots on the newly emerged adult the very next day morning. It is a female of Epophthalmia vittigera.

a female larva of E. vittigera
newly emerged female adult of E. vittigera

Orthetrum sabina - In Wheel

2010-08-08T17:25:00.002+08:00

I had a close encounter with a wheel pair of Orthetrum sabina, and I took a good number of shots on this wheel pair. Male and female of O. sabina have similar marking on body.

Copera vittata in Wheel

2010-08-07T18:51:00.002+08:00

I have seen many times Copera vittata in tandem. However, for some reasons C. vittata did not form wheel whenever I spotted them in tandem. This time I have the chance to witness C. vittata in wheel.

Anax panybeus - Female

2010-08-06T19:45:00.002+08:00

The female Anax panybeus has similar marking as that of the male one......

Larval Emergence - Hydrobasileus croceus (Female)

2010-08-05T13:24:00.003+08:00

Hydrobasileus croceus larva is easily distinguished for having spiky posterior. I spent a sleepless night to record the larval emergence of H. corceus (female).

A Libelulid Larva

2010-08-04T21:31:00.003+08:00

I caught this matured libelulid larva a few days ago. The size of this larva is similar to that of Hydrobasileus croceus. Therefore, I assume the adult insect would have size close to Hydrobasileus croceus. I think it is a Tramea transmarina. What do you reckon?

Larval Emergence - Anax panybeus (Male)

2010-08-04T09:59:00.007+08:00

In order to record the larval emergence of Anax panybeus I had a sleepless night. The A. panybeus larva broke its larval casing around 2.30 am and had its wings fully open arond 4.30 am. I was really impressed by the emerald green colour on the thorax of the emerging adult as the colour was so bright and intensed.

This male larva image (F0 stage) was taken some time ago. Ten days later, the larva went through metamorphosis and turned into a beautiful Anax panybeus male adult.

Lovely Larva

2010-08-02T21:33:00.004+08:00

I find this spidery larva is lovely. It is belonged to family Corduliidae. The two side spines at the end of the head connecting thorax are particularly prominent.

Anax guttatus vs Anax panybeus - Anal Appendages

2010-07-26T22:19:00.004+08:00

Anax guttatus and A. panybeus are quite similar to each other. In fact when I caught a specimen of A. guttatus a few years back, I labelled it as A. guttatus. My mistake was immediately pointed out by Dr. A.G. Orr when he inspected my specimen during his visit to Malaysia.

One important character to distinguish A. guttatus from A. panybeus is their anal appendages. The anal appendages of A. panybeus is more massive and larger than that of A. guttatus. Of course, the shape of anal appendages for both the species is also slightly different.

left is A. guttatus and right is A. panybeus

Larval Emergence of Neurothemis fluctuans

2010-07-26T09:45:00.003+08:00

I witnessed the larval emergence of female Neurothemis fluctuans.

This larva (image above) was photographed at 14:30 hour. It is very matured, and it is going to emerge very soon......

After eight hours later around 23:00 hour, this happened (see images below)! Showing below are a series of three photos taking at the most critical moment - the whole adult insect is emerging out from the exuvia. This critical moment only took less than 5 seconds! In order to take record this critical moment with camera, one has to wait by the emerging larva patiently.

Mortonagrion aborense - Immatured

2010-07-24T20:23:00.001+08:00

The immatured Mortonagrion aborense has red colour, and it looks more appealing compared to the matured individuals..........

Comparison: Anax guttatus vs Anax panybeus

2010-07-22T12:53:00.005+08:00

Two Anax species are recorded in Peninsular Malaysia - Anax guttatus and A. panybeus. The anal appendages and the length of abdominal segment 3 are the main characters to differentiate these two species. However, I am showing you here the differences of blue marking on the thorax and dorsal abdominal segments 1-3 for both the species.

left: Anax guttatus; right: Anax panybeus

A Large Cordulid Larva

2010-07-22T09:15:00.001+08:00

This large matured cordulid larva is living in my little aquarium..... Anybody wanna guess what species is this?

Finally It Has Emerged!

2010-07-21T20:38:00.004+08:00

The aeshnid larva that I have been talking about (click here to see the larva at F0 stage) has finally emerged! This morning I saw the beautiful newly emerged adult aeshnid not far from the exuvia. It is a male Anax panybeus!

exuvia of Anax panybeus
newly emerged Anax panybeus

Going to Emerge.............

2010-07-18T08:30:00.003+08:00

This aeshnid larva measuring up to 55 mm from head to tail (really large) has been out of water in the evening for the last two days. Its wing cases have hardened, and it looks very mature. I'm sure that it is going to emerge very soon....... It is most likely an Anax guttutas..... I keep my fingers cross.

Odonata Checklist of Sg Durian, Perak

2010-07-13T19:53:00.002+08:00

I visited Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak for second time a few days ago to survey the odonate diversity. I managed to add six more species to the previous checklist. Now the total number of odonate species recorded for Sg Durian is 30.

Odonata Checklist for Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak

Family Calopterygidae
Neurobasis chinensis
Vestalis amoena

Family Chlorocyphidae
Heliocypha perforata
Heliocypha biforata
Libellago lineata

Family Euphaeidae
Dysphaea dimidiata
Euphaea impar
Euphaea ochracea

Family Megapodagrionidae
Rhinagrion mima

Family Coenagrionidae
Agriocnemis femina
Argiocnemis rubescens
Onychargia atrocyana
Mortonagrion aborense
Pseudagrion pruinosum

Family Platycnemididae
Copera ciliata
Copera marginipes

Family Protoneuridae
Prodasineura humeralis
Prodasineura collaris

Family Gomphidae
Ictinogomphus decoratus
Paragomphus capricornis

Family Libellulidae
Aethriamanta gracilis
Brachydiplax chalybea
Neurothemis fluctuans
Onychothemis culminicola
Orthetrum chrysis
Orthetrum luzonicum
Orthetrum testaceum
Trithemis aurora
Trithemis festiva
Zygonyx iris

Pseudagrion pruinosum in Wheel

2010-07-13T19:43:00.002+08:00

Lately, I had a chance to take some shots on a wheel pair of Pseudagrion pruinosum. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is hard to spot female of P. pruinosum though a good number of male may be present at the site. To bump into a wheel pair of P. pruinosum is something to be happy about, I guess.

A Close Encounter - Rhyothemis plutonia

2010-07-13T19:29:00.005+08:00

Rhyothemis plutonia is a rare dragonfly species of Peninsular Malaysia. In 6-7 years of field experience, I have only spotted two individuals at two different locations. A few days ago, I had a very close encounter of R. plutonia (my second time to bump into an individual of R. plutonia). Of course, I made countless shots on this male R. plutonia. Taking photograph on black dragonfly is always a challenging task, and most of the photographs ended up as bad shots. Nevertheless, I did make some satisfied shots (on my own stadard :)).

I've Got the Answer

2010-07-07T15:46:00.003+08:00

The aeshnid larva that I mentioned on June 6, 2010 has finally emerged! It is a male Gynacantha subinterrupta!

a larva of Gynacantha subinterrupta (male)

On Larvae.....

2010-07-06T22:36:00.004+08:00

I mentioned a large larva on June 28, 2010 (click here to see the entry). The large larva has just shed it skin today. Now the large larva has well developed wing cases (see the photo below), and I believe that it has entered F0 stage. The large larva is now meausuring up to 52 mm from head to tail! Really large! The shape of the larva does look like the larva of Anax guttatus.

Anax guttatus larva?

I actually also caught a baby larva (10 mm) a few days ago. The baby larva is so cute (see photo below). It has white and dark segments - very unique. The shape of this baby larva resemble the large larva above.....

a baby larva

I also mentioned about another aeshnid larva (smaller one; see the photo below) on June 28, 2010 (click here to see the entry). This larva has been out of water for the last 3-4 days (even during day time). It is going to emerge tonight! I'm going to have the answer of its real id by tomorrow!

a Gynacantha larva?

Female - Pseudagrion australasiae vs Pseudagrion microcephalum

2010-07-06T18:02:00.010+08:00

The male adults of Pseudagrion australasiae and P. microcephalum are very much alike, and normally anal appendages (tail) are used to distinguish them confidently (click here to see the differences between the male adults). How about female adults of P. australasiae and P. microcephalum? In fact the female of both species look alike as well. Of course, the size of P. australasiae female is slight larger than P. microcephalum female (the same case for the male adults). Nevertheless, a close look on the head and thorax of the female adults, one will find obvious differences between these two species. The female of P. australasiae has very obvious thick black strip on the dorsal thorax and the head lack of blue marking, but the black marking is very obvious. On the other hand, the female of P. microcephalum has narrow/thin black strip on the dorsal thorax and the head has blue marking.

female adult of P. australasiae

female adult of P. microcephalum

Two Aeshnid Larvae

2010-06-28T20:56:00.010+08:00

I caught these two aeshnid larvae from a leafy forest pool in UKM Bangi campus - the forest pool where I discovered Podolestes orientalis larva. The first one is big, measuring up to 44 mm from head to tail, and it has not reached the maturity as the wing case has not well been developed. I suspect it is still in F1 stage. This larva looks like an Indaeschna grubaueri larva. If it is really an I. grubaueri, then I would be adding another species to the Odonata Checklist of Bangi Forest Reserve. I have yet seen an adult of I. grubaueri in Bangi Forest Reserve.

The second larva appears to be a matured larva with a size measuring up to 35 mm from head to tail. It doesn't look quite like a Gynacantha larva because it has a slim abdomen. Maybe I'm wrong.... it might be just a Gynacantha larva after all......

Anyway, both the larvae are male, and I am breeding them.

an Indaeschna grubaueri larva?
a Gynacantha larva?

P/S:
I have a second thought of the large aeshnid larva (the first photo above). I just feel that it doesn't seem to look truly like a Indaeschna grubaueri larva as the shape of head-eye of the large larva is just not matching too well. The head-eye shape of this large larva resembles that of Anax guttatus. However, the only trouble is that the abdominal segment joints of this larva resemble that of I. grubaueri not A. guttatus.

Pseudagrion australasiae in Wheel

2010-06-27T23:28:00.002+08:00

I've finally managed to get some good shots on Pseudagarion australasiae in wheel.

Copera ciliata

2010-06-23T23:45:00.003+08:00

There are three Copera species in Peninsular Malaysia - C. ciliata, C. marginipes and C. vittata. Among the three species, C. ciliata is the least common. Copera ciliata could be easily recognised by its light blue colour body with long white flatten legs. However, the immatured male is rather whitish colour and the female is a bit of redish. Copera ciliata is normally found at open grassy pond/lake and grassy forest stream.

a matured male adult with light blue body colour
an immatured male adult with whitish body colour
a female adult with redish body colour

Pitcher Plant - Nepenthes mirabilis

2010-06-21T00:04:00.010+08:00

I break my rule today by posting something else from Odonata. Yes, I am showing you a plant - a beautiful pitcher plant. I was having a day out today to photograph Odonata in the UKM Bangi campus, and I accidentally bumped into a pitcher plant Nepenthes mirabilis. The pitcher plant is flowering and it is full of pitchers, and I just couldn't resist to snap a few shots on it.

Nepenthes mirabilis plant showing plentiful of pitchers
Nepenthes mirabilis plant with plentiful of pitchers
close up on a pitcher of Nepenthes mirabilis
close up on the lip of a pitcher of Nepenthes mirabilis
the flowers of Nepenthes mirabilis
close up on the flowers of Nepenthes mirabilis

Elattoneura mauros

2010-06-17T23:06:00.004+08:00

Elattoneura mauros Dow, Choong & Ng 2010 is not from Peninsular Malaysia. It is a damselfly species from Sarawak (Borneo). This damselfly does not look much attractive - dull and black - that what it is named after - "mauros" meaning dark. Showing below is a male E. mauros. The female E. mauros has not yet been found and described.

Rhyothemis triangularis - Female

2010-06-16T21:12:00.003+08:00

When you spot a beautiful Rhyothemis triangularis around an open grassy pond, it is always a male individual. Sporadically, you may bump into a female. When you bump into a female, she is always in the middle of ovipositing. Taking photograph on an ovipositing female is definitely not easy, and it is always ended up with bad photos. If you are patient enough, however, the ovipositing female will take a break by perching shortly on grass blade or reed. This is the best time to snap it! Below is a female R. triangularis perching on a reed after having a tiring session of ovipositing. She perched for a short while before continuing her ovipositing act.

Anax guttatus

2010-06-14T22:28:00.003+08:00

Anax guttatus is definitely a beautiful aeshnid species as the blue marking on the abdomen is striking. It is normally found at open pond and active during day time. There are two Anax species in Peninsular Malaysia - A. guttatus and A. panybeus. Both the species are quite difficult to tell apart. Close inspection on anal appendages and length of 3rd abdominal segment is neccessary to disitinguish them. However, A. panybeus is much less common in Peninsular Malaysia.

Pseudothemis jorina

2010-06-14T22:19:00.003+08:00

Pseudothemis jorina is definitely one of my favourite dragonfly species. It is neither common nor rare in Peninsular Malaysia. Shooting it, however, is defintely challenging.

Prodasineura notostigma in Wheel

2010-06-12T21:58:00.004+08:00

I felt contented today to get a nice photo of Prodasineura notostigma in wheel. Earlier I had photos of P. collaris in wheel.

Crocothemis servilia

2010-06-06T21:26:00.004+08:00

Crocothemis servilia is always confused with the other red dragonfly species such as Orthetrum chrysis, Orthetrum testaceum and Rhodothemis rufa. However, C. servilia is readily distinguished from O. chrysis and O. testaceum as it has red eyes but not in the later two. Nevertheless, the confusion is more actually between C. servilia and R. rufa. Close insepection on eyes may distinguish these two species. C. servilia has both eyes well touching each other. On the other hand, R. rufa has eyes bearly touching each other. Another feature to distinguish between these two species is that C. servilia has a black line/strip on the dorsal abdomen, of which R. rufa is lacking. The female C. servilia is light brown colour, and of course with a black line/strip on the dorsal abdomen.

a male Crocothemis servilia
a female Crocothemis servilia

Trithemis pallidinervis

2010-06-06T20:51:00.003+08:00

Trithemis pallidinervis is normally found at grassland and open marshes. It likes to perch high at grass blade with wing slightly pointing up. The male and female have similar marking. However, the face of male is metallic purple but rather yellow white in female.

a male
a female
the male can be recognised easily with metallic purple face

Diplacodes nebulosa

2010-06-06T20:41:00.004+08:00

Diplacodes nebulosa is a small dragonfly species normally found at grassland and marshes. The male has dark wing tips but the female lacks of this feature. The grey blue pruinescens develops with maturity in male. Click here to see a matured male.

a half mature male; the pruinescens has not yet fully developed
a female

Cordulid Larva

2010-06-03T00:46:00.003+08:00

I am breeding this cordulid larva now. The larva has been in my little aquarium for almost two months. Anyone wanna guess what is the species of this larva?

Hydrobasileus croceus Larva II

2010-06-01T00:19:00.012+08:00

I am actually breeding the larva of Hydrobasileus croceus. I caught a H. croceus some time in April, and it has been living in my little aquarium for one and a half months. I have been feeding it with tadpoles, and it has reached matured stage. I've got the feeling that it will emerge in the next couple of days. I really keep my fingers cross wanting to witness the larval emergence.

This picture was taken when the larva was caught some time in April 2010. The wing cases have still not yet developed.
This picture was taken after the larva three times shedding its skin. The wing cases are now well developed.

P/S: The larva emerged on June 2, 2010 morning. It is very bad that I missed the emergence. I checked the larva at one o'clock morning, and it was still down at the bottom of the aquarium thinking that it would not emerge until tomorrow night. So, I went to bed thinking that I would get ready for the following night. To my horror, however, I saw the newly emerged male adult Hydrobasileus croceus at the aquarium around seven o'clock in the morning! I haven't got the luck this time.......

Orchithemis pulcherrima - Colour Forms

2010-05-30T22:02:00.003+08:00

Among the many libellulid species in Peninsular Malaysia, Orchithemis pulcherrima may be one of those with the most number of colour forms. These colour forms are not due to level of maturity. Two colour forms (red and dark blue) exist in male while three (red, dark blue and yellow brown) are for female. For male, the red form is the more common one. On the other hand, yellow brown is more common for female. The red form female is said to be rare. I have seen all these colour forms of male and female except the red form female.

red form male
dark blue form male
yellow brown form female
dark blue form female

Archibasis incisura

2010-05-29T23:23:00.003+08:00

Archibasis incisura is a blue "large" (hw 22-24 mm) damselfly species. There are three blue Archibasis species in Peninsular Malaysia - A. melanocyana, A. incisura and A. rebeccae. In order to differentiate them confidently, one has to inspect their tail (anal appendages) closely. Archibasis incisura has a notch on its superior anal appendages.

a male Archibasis incisura
lateral view of the anal appendages of a male Archibasis incisura