Agrionoptera sexlineata - Larval Emergence I

I finally managed to photograph a series of emergence of a male Agrionoptera sexlineata. The whole process of emergence took about 2 hours.

Hunter Hunted

I spotted two male adults of Tyriobapta torrida hunted by two large water spiders at the leafy shady pond in Bangi Forest Reserve. The hunters were hunted! Hey Mr. Spider, how is it? Yummy?

Habitat - Leafy Shady Pond

One of the unique habitat for Odonata in Bangi Forest Reserve is leafy swampy shady pond (see below pictures). I have seen flying adults of Copera vittata, Podolestes orientalis, Agrionoptera sexlineata, Tyriobapta torrida and Neurothemis fluctuans hanging around the pond. Many larvae of Gynacantha basiguttata, Agrionoptera sexlineata and Copera vittata also have been collected from the pond.

Libellulidae - Agrionoptera sexlineata

The newly emerged female Agrionoptera sexlineata is still surviving. I took a few snaps of it after one and a half days of its emergence. Now the colour of its thorax and abdomen is more intense. It is really a lovely libellulid species.

The Libellulid Larva Has Emerged!

I posted an entry on the libellulid larva on 12 December, 2008. One of the libellulid larvae that I caught emerged last night. Now the species identity of the larva has finally revealed. It is an Agrionoptera sexlineata. I wouldn't be surprised as I have seen quite a number of A. sexlineata adults hanging around the habitat.


this larva image was taken nine days before the emergence; a female larva
the larva has finally hatched; it is a female A. sexlineata; the newly emerged adult still has its wing close
the newly emerged adult finally has its wings open

Mask - Chlorogompidae

What is this? Ahha...... it is actually the mask of a dragonfly larva. The mask is important structure located under the neck/head of the larva. It is used to catch its prey. Different species/genera/families have different shape of mask, and it is taxonomically significant.

this is a mask of a Chlorogompidae larva; dorsal view

Larva - Libellulidae

I caught some libellulid larvae from the same site of the Gynacantha basiguttata larvae. The libellulid larvae are cute. Showing below is one of the libellulid larvae that I caught. I have no idea what libellulid species it is. It was found at a leafy shady pond. Does anyone want to give it a guess? I will give out the correct answer once it is hatched (I'm breeding this larva).

Corduliidae - Macromia corycia

Corduliidae - Macromia corycia Laidlaw, 1922

Macromia corycia is not a Peninsular Malaysia species. It is endemic to Borneo. Actually, I got this photo of M. corycia from Sarawak, and I feel like sharing it here with those interested in dragonflies. Macromia corycia is definitely a forest species. I bumped into it when it was patrolling a shady spot of the flowing forest stream.

the shining green eyes are just gorgeous

Exuviae - Gynacantha basiguttata

I looked into the exuviae of Gynacantha basiguttata (Family Aeshnidae) over the weekend. Wow! I didn't realize that I have 18 basiguttata exuviae in my little box. These exuviae are of the reared larvae that I collected from the Bangi Forest Reverse the last 1-2 months. I couldn't believe that I've successfully reared 18 basiguttata!

Corduliid Larva

Larvae from the family Corduliidae are beautiful. They have the shape like spider.

this larva was caught at forest stream in Cameron Highlands