My Blog.......

My blog was mentioned in a small article of the Star Online by Sam Cheong on April 27, 2010.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/4/27/central/5779461&sec=central

I would like to correct a fact mentioned in the article:

"There are at least 25 known species of dragonflies and damselfies in Malaysia....." should be read as "There are at least 250 known species of dragonflies and damselfies in Peninsular Malaysia......". The figures 25 and 250 are too much different... hehehehehe

Larva of Pseudagrion rubriceps

I showed the larval emergence of Pseudagrion rubriceps in an earlier entry (click here to read the entry). However, I did not show clearly the gill pattern of the P. rubriceps larva in the earlier entry. Thus, I'm showing here the side view of P. rubriceps larva with clear gill pattern.

Damsel Larva

I sampled this larva from a grassy drain where plenty of Copera marginipes adults were spotted. The larva definitely a Copera marginipes/vittata species because it has beautiful fringed gills. I did not see any vittata adult at the site, therefore I guess the larva should be marginipes. You may view vitatta larva here. Anyway, I am breeding the below larva to confirm its id.

Larva - Hydrobasileus croceus

The larva of Hydrobasileus croceus is one the most beautiful libellulid larvae. The spiky posterior is the trademark of H. croceus larva. It is normally found at sub-surface water weed.

Larval Emergence - Zyxomma obtusum

Below is a series of pictures showing the larval emergence of a female Zyxomma obtusum.

Orthetrum chrysis vs Orthetrum testaceum - In Wheel

I was so lucky today to see Orthetrum chrysis and O. testaceum in wheel. The more important thing is that I managed to get good shots on them in wheel.....

Orthetrum chrysis

Orthetrum testaceum

Neurothemis fluctuans in Wheel

I have a better picture of Neurothemis fluctuans in wheel. Click here to see the previous entry showing N. fluctuans in wheel.

Obeliks Posture

Dragonflies particularly from the family Libellulidae like to display obeliks posture during hot sunny day. The abdomen is raised to point to the sun in order to minimize the body surface exposed to sun directly from overheating. The obeliks posture is particular beautiful for photography shooting...........


Aethriamanta brevipennis
Aethriamanta gracilis
Trithemis festiva
Urothemis signata
Rhyothemis triangularis

Larva of Podolestes orientalis

The paper of the description of Podolestes orientalis larva has finally been out. Please let me know if you need the soft copy of the paper.

Choong, C.Y. and Orr, A.G. 2010. The larva of Podolestes orientalis from West Malaysia, with notes on its habitat and biology (Odonata: Megapogrionidae). International Journal of Odonatology 13(1): 109-117.

The abstract of the above article is as below:
The larva of the south-east Asian megapodagrionid, Podolestes orientalis, is described and figured. Specimens were collected from shallow forest pools lined with large dead leaves in secondary lowland forest. Final and earlier stadium larvae were found concentrated around the edges of pools in very shallow water. Larvae sometimes perched in exposed situations, just below the water surface, with abdomen upturned and caudal lamellae splayed outward to expose the broad respiratory surfaces. This represents the first account of the immature stages for this south-east Asian genus. The caudal lamellae are very broad and flattened, inserted horizontally, suggesting a close relationship between the genus Podolestes and Australian region megapodagrionids.


So, how does the larva of P. orientalis look like? Here you go......




Below are two photos taken in situ at the natural habitat of P. orientalis larva.


So, how does the natural aquatic habitat look like for the larva of P. orientalis? The below photo shows the aquatic habitat from where I found the larvae of P. orientalis. The larvae concentrated at the shallow water edge covered with fallen leaves and sticks......

Larval Emergence - Orthetrum testaceum

I witnessed the larval emergence of a male Orthetrum testaceum.......


a male larva of Orthetrum testaceum

Larval Emergence - Tholymis tillarga

I witnessed the larval emergence of a male Tholymis tillarga............


a male larva of Tholymis tillarga