Neurothemis

Family Libellulidae

Neurothemis fulvia 

(Drury 1773)

Elevation 80 - 1500mm

Abdomen Length 21-26mm

The Fulvous Forest Skimmer is very common all over Nepal, but usually below 1600m. Most often seen near paddy fields, ponds, and wetlands starting from early March through October. The female has fully colored wings and the male, more reddish has a small round spot at the wing apex. It has a wide distribution in Asia from India to Taiwan. It is seen early in the spring in April and is still found in October. It is distributed across SE Asia to East Asia and found in Taiwan. The males show a lot of variation in coloration - from a deep red to orange-brown similar to the female.

Male

Female

Neurothemis intermedia

(Rambur 1842)

Elevation 80 - 1500m

Abdomen Length 16-20mm

A paddy field dragonfly, it sits on the edges of the irrigation canals. It is a medium-sized orangish-red dragonfly with a reddish tint to the basal section of the hind wing. The female is a lighter version of the male and lacks the dark coloration in the wings. Distribution is from Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, and Malaysia.

Male

Female

Neurothemis  tulia

(Drury 1773)

Elevation 180 - 800m

Abdomen Length 16-20mm

The Pied Paddy Skimmer or Pied Parasol is found all over Asia usually near paddy fields and wetlands, and so it is also found at all three lakes in Pokhara. A lovely wetland, paddy land, and swamp species the male has beautiful wings with a white stripe and blue-black venation and the body is midnight blue with white appendages. Females are very different in color; brown and tan with some wing markings. I have not seen it above 1000m. When found there are usually many in number (possibly triggered by some weather event) mass hatchings are common in April. 

Male

Female