Nepal Odonata: Nepal Odonata

Godavari Odonata

I will start with the Godavari area because that is where I live and it happens to be a damselfly and dragonfly hotspot on the south side of the Kathmandu Valley. Located under the highest peak in the valley, Phulchowki 2782m, it is also the location of the National Botanic Gardens and a rich site for birds, butterflies, and plants.

Unfortunately, it is changing rapidly with the development of picnic areas, water tanker filling stations, new houses, garbage dumps in the streams, and other negative human influences. The most damaging for freshwater invertebrates is the over-drafting of water from the streams for water-deprived Kathmandu (a mismanagement issue), leaving nothing behind for the habitat.

The dragonflies and damselflies are now up to 57 separate species. They were photographed from several locations around 1400m to 1600m near the Godavari Botanic Gardens in a wetland area south of the National Botanical Gardens, inside the ICIMOD Knowledge Park, around the Godavari Khunda and fisheries unit, and below on a stream that runs behind the Botanic Gardens. The best site is a forested wetland, 10 to 15 meters wide and only 100 meters long, with a tiny streamlet hosting many types of birds, butterflies, and less common dragonflies (the area was recently dammed in 2016). Leading into this area is a messy picnic area that throbs with people and music on the weekends. Sometimes people make their way into this area but fortunately, the leeches keep them at bay.

Zygoptera or Damselflies

Family Calopterygidae or Demoiselles

Caliphaea confuse Hagen in Selys, 1959

Caliphaea confusa

Hagen in Selys, 1959

Elevation ranges from 900m to 1600m

Size 36 to 40mm

Bronze-backed Demoiselles - Caliphaea confusa is found in dense pristine forests with small streams usually at higher elevations. They are found south of Kathmandu near the National Botanic Garden, in the ICIMOD wetland, and on the north side of the Kathmandu Valley. They are emerald green as juveniles then turn bronze as they age. They are among the first to appear in early April and disappear before monsoon late May to mid-June. They are weak fliers often found resting on ferns near water seepages, breeding in slow jungle streams.

Mature male

Juvenile male (above) and female (below) with emerald green color

Neurobasis chinensis chinensis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Elevation ranges from sea level to 2000m

Abdomen length 45-50mm

A rapid flash of emerald green from a leaf or stone mid-stream is eye-catching. This is a common species in Asia with many names, such as Stream Glory (India), Oriental Greenwing (Sri Lanka), Green-winged Demoiselle, Chinese Greenwing (China), and possibly other generic names apply, but all very descriptive of the beautiful green lining on the inner wing. Females are easily found near the males but with a white node and pterostigma on bronze-colored wings. They are found on rivers and streams across Nepal from April through August.

Males and females above and a female below with white node and pterostigma.

Family Euphaeidae or Gossamer wings

Bayadera hyalina?

(Selys, 1879)

Elevation 1450m
Abdomen length 34mm

I was unsure if I should include this entry because of the discourse on B. longicauda (missing terminal segments) described by Asahina from Thailand and B. hyalina described in Assam and Meghalaya. This species' information is given in detail on the IUCN website and is red-listed as vulnerable. The description given by Fraser 1934 matches the photographed insect but this is a teneral specimen so it is hard to confirm this ID. It has hyaline wings, yellow on the lateral side of the 1st abdominal segment only, and a larger sharp ventral spine on the superior anal appendages. Only one teneral insect was found in May at a jungle wetland in Godavari. I have not seen it again, so this one is unconfirmed.

Bayadera indica

Selys, 1853

Elevation 800 to 1500m

Abdomen Length 38-40mm

This damselfly is widespread across many areas in Nepal and in Northwest and Northeast India, and possibly Bhutan and Myanmar. The key ID for this species is the male with black tips on both fore and hind wings and turquoise blue markings on the face. They prefer fast-moving streams and will often rest on stones or debris in the middle of the stream. They are usually active during monsoon - June to August.

Anisopleura comes

Hagen, 1880

Elevation

Abdomen Length 36-40mm

This species is spread across the lower Himalayan hill regions from Punjab to Bhutan including China. It is usually found next to slow streams in a heavily forested area sitting on vegetation. It is not commonly seen but tends to be in certain habitats. The females were harder to find resting farther in the bushes. Their coloration is varied by the extent of pruinescence - younger males were green and older more silvery blue. They have a tiny tip of black at the extreme wing apex. They are active in April and May and are often found in the same locality as A. subplatystyla.

Anisopleura lestoides

Selys, 1853

Elevation 800 to 1600m
Abdomen length 36-38mm

The long spear-like mark on the upper thorax is easy to spot and separates it from closely related A. comes. It is also more commonly seen than L. comes or L. subplatystyla. A. lestoides are found in similar locations, small well-vegetated streams. They are weak flyers and breed in running water. Older individuals have more pruinesence and the details are harder to see. They are found from mid-June to October.

Anisopleura subplatystyla

Fraser, 1927

Elevation 1000-1600m

Abdomen length 36 to 40mm

I have seen this one outside of the Kathmandu Valley (see the Daman page), but just this week I found it in a small wetland next to ICIMOD. This a new addition to my Godavari list. A subplatystyla, the synonym A. bella was listed in Bhutan. It is found in Meghalaya, Sikkim, Chang Mai, and one unsure record in Yunnan. Its thoracic markings are distinctive with a yellow oval on the dorsum. I have been visiting the Godavari wetland for the last 5 years and this is the first time I have seen it; both males and females were found - there were about 3 males and 2 females seen in one day. I have only seen this one in May pre-monsoon.

Family Chlorocyphidae or Jewels

Aristocypha trifasciata syn Rhinocypha + bifasciata

Selys, 1879

Elevation 800 to 1600m

Abdomen 22mm

A Himalayan species, ranging from Jammu-Kashmir to Bhutan and NE India. They are always found on streams with running water, and depending on the light you can see a beautiful emerald or purple color in the inner wings. There are usually two bands on the male's wings - the second band mid-wing usually develops later. They are active later in the monsoon season from July to October, and both males and females are present. The wings of the females are evenly tinted brown. DNA studies have shown that the Aristocypha/Heliocypha group is distinct from Rhinocypha, which is from New Guinea.

Family Synlestidae or Sylphs

Megalestes major

Selys,1862

Elevation 700 to 1700m

Abdomen 48-54mm

This is a long dangling emerald-colored, slender-bodied damselfly that seeks dark wet forested areas such as the Godavari wetland. Unlike other damselflies, it holds its wings out to the side when resting. The body is much longer than its wings. Two Synlestidae species are found in Nepal - Megalestes major (yellow under thorax) and M. irma (black under thorax at higher elevations). It is seen from June to August in Godavari. Other locations include NE India, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Family Lestidae or Reedlings

Indolestes cyaneus

Selys, 1862

Elevation 800 to 2300m

Abdomen 32-36mm

Indolestes are called Reedlings the main reason that is where they are found, in reed beds next to lakes and ponds. Locations are from Jammu-Kashmir, Punjab, Darjeeling, Bhutan, and China. I. cyaneus is found in mountain wetlands up to over 2000m, they are hard to spot being very slender but the blue color is attractive to the eye. As juveniles, they are almost the same color as dry grass and very difficult to spot. They breed in early June and again in early October.

Family Platycnemididae or Brook Damselflies

Coeliccia renifera

(Selys, 1886)

Elevation 800 - 1600m

Abdomen Length 33-37mm

Along seepages and slow streams, these beautiful green and black damselflies are spotted mostly by their white anal appendages and the bright green markings on their thorax. Females are less brightly marked and blend in with the vegetation. They range across the mid-hills in the Himalayas from NW India to NE India including Nepal and probably Bhutan. They appear just before the monsoon in June, and breed in June and September.

Calicnemia nipalica

Kimmins, 1958

Elevation 800 to 1600m

Abdomen Length 31mm

This is an uncommon wetland inhabitant in Nepal and is listed as vulnerable by IUCN. It rests along the seepages and small canals in darker areas of the jungle and might be easily overlooked. The color of the adult takes time to deepen. From its emergence, in mid-April, the male and female have similar colorations but by June the male's color deepens to a darker red and solid black toward the end of the abdomen. Mating was observed in late June and it is present through July.

Calicnemia pulverulans

(Selys, 1886)

Elevation 800 to 2000m

Abdomen length 29-31mm

C. pulverulans live in the same dark forested conditions as C. nipalica - they are often found nearby. The abdomen color is powdery blue as they pruinose early in life, overall it has a waxy blue color with some yellow to pale blue lateral thoracic stripes. A Himalayan native that is found from NW India to NE India and into Myanmar. They are mostly found May through July mating in early May.

Above is a close-up of the male's anal appendages. Below is the start of the pruinescense that gives the powdery blue coloration.

Family Coenagrionidae or Pond Damselflies

Aciagrion olympicum

Laidlaw, 1919

Elevation 1500m

Abdomen Length 32-34mm

It was seen in the Godavari wetland for a couple of months in 2014 and again in 2019. It is only recorded in Nepal, NE India, and Bhutan. The body was not fully colored but the blue markings on segments 8,9 and 10 were clear, the thorax was tan and brown with brown-black markings on the surface of the abdomen - later turning blue. Seen from mid-April until May.

Agriocnemis pygmaea

(Rambur, 1842)

Elevation of sea level to 1500m

Abdomen length 16 - 17mm

So tiny it is easily overlooked as it floats through blades of grass lining small ponds, wetlands, and slow streams. A very common damselfly called it is called the Wandering Midget because of its wide distribution throughout all of Asia and Australasia. The male is easier to see with a tint of dark orange at the end of the abdomen. Males and females are seen together from early May to October.

Amphiallagma parvum syn Enallagma parvum

(Selys, 1876)

Elevation 700 to 1500m

Abdomen length 17mm

A tiny baby-blue damselfly with a thick black line marking the vertex, dorsum of thorax, and most of the abdomen. It inhabits the center and edges of ponds with vegetation on the surface, where the females oviposit. Seen at the Godavari Kunda from March through the end of May. Mating begins in May through the monsoon.

Ceriagrion azureum

(Selys, 1891)

Elevation 700 to 1500m
Abdomen length 34-38mm

A long thin pale blue damselfly with blue eyes, pale green thorax, short yellow legs with black spines, and black at the tip of the abdomen. The female is just greenish up to the middle of the abdomen then neutral color. It is found in a shaded forest area with a small stream near ICIMOD and also in Pokhara. Present from May, June, and July. Females are seen at the start of the monsoon. Locations are spread across NE India to China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Ceriagrion coromandelianum

Fabricius, 1789

Elevation sea level to 1600m

Abdomen Length 28-30mm

A very common damselfly in Nepal but not so common in Godavari. The bright yellow abdomen with green thorax is easy to spot as it glides through the grasses and shrubs next to small ponds and lakes. The female resembles the male but is green. They are dispersed throughout Southern Asia. Breeding is during the monsoon from July to August.

Ceriagrion fallax cerinomelas

Lieftinck, 1927

Elevation 900 to 1500mm

Abdomen Length 30-32mm

A very common damselfly in wetland areas and around ponds it is called the Black-tailed Marsh Dart. Males stand out with bright yellow bodies lined with black on the last few segments. They are out early in the season from April/May through October. They are seen in Nepal and the eastern hilly areas of the Himalayas. Mating was observed in July and emerging tenerals even into October.

Ceriagrion olivaceum

(Laidlaw, 1914)

Elevation 900-1600m

Abdomen Length 34-38

A very dull colored damselfly, females are slightly darker than males. Not commonly seen probably because they are so bland in color. They are found in the jungle area near ICIMOD from April through October breeding in streams. They are found in hilly areas in Nepal and across NE India to Myanmar.

Ischnura rubilio

Selys, 1876

Elevation of sea level to 1500mm

Abdomen length 16-20mm

These are small damselflies known as forktails. Previously considered a subspecies of I. aurora, DNA work showed that it was not the same as the I. aurora in Australasia. The Asian (Indian subcontinent) and Iran forms of Ischnura have been designated as I. rubilio. Small in size and hard to see in the grasses with a green and yellow-ocher body but the shining blue tip on the abdomen is easily spotted when looking for them. Females are polymorphic colors, resembling males or other color variations. May through the end of October with some mating observed in October.

Ischnura forcipata

Morton, 1907

Elevation

Abdomen length 22-23mm

This is a fairly common wetland and streamside species that appear early in the season - April and May. It was found in the pond near the Godavari khunda along with I. rufostigma montana and P. decorum. It is also found downstream from the Iceberg Beer factory in Godavari where water quality is very poor. The thorax is grass green, contrasting with the black surface of the abdomen with blue on segments 8, 9, and sides S10. Segment 10 is variable some have blue oval spots some have a small patch of blue. The blue postocular spots are easily seen on the backs of black eyes, as well as a tiny pale blue spot on the pterostigma in the fore wing. Appear early in the spring mating twice at the beginning (April) and end of the season (September). I have photographed two female color forms. They are a Himalayan species from Afghanistan to Northeast India.

Ischnura rufostigma

Selys, 1876 (rufostigma group)

I. annandalei Laidlaw, 1919; I. mildredae Fraser, 1926; I. carpentieri Fraser, 1946)) Asahina (1970) placed I. carpentieri and I. annandalei in synonymy with I. mildredae and considered all to be a subspecies of I. rufostigma
Elevation 800 - 1500m
Abdomen Length 23-24mm

At first glance, it is very similar to I. aurora but the amount of blue in segment 8 varies. There are many variations of blue and even no blue. Vick 1986, worked on the I. rufostigma group because of the many noticeable variations of the abdominal segments 6-10 and what he considered distinct differences in male anal appendages. This one from Godavari he placed in the carpentieri group with a blue mark on the 8th segment and stronger tubercles. Asahina (1991) later described these under the name I. rufostigma montana, because of the elevation where it was found - ie Godavari Nepal. The group remains confusing and without molecular work, the confusion will not be resolved. A 2016 paper from China attempted to sort out the I. rufostigma group and the biomorphic coloration found in the females. They found that the phenotypic variability in the expression of color was related to allele configuration and not different species.
Females in the photos show two color forms as per the taxon the pterostigma is bicolored. Mating was observed twice in June and September. They are found at the Kunda on the water and in the grasses. Seen from March through October.

Pseudagrion decorum

Rambur, 1842
Elevation of sea level to 1500
Abdomen length 28-30mm

They are small in size but easily recognized by the pale blue and green stripes on the thorax, darker abdomen, and light blue at the tip of the abdomen. They are usually at the small pond below the Godavari Kunda in April and May. Their distribution is throughout India, one location in Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

Pseudagrion rubriceps

(Selys, 1876)

Elevation

Abdomen length 29 -30mm

The red eyes, large blue eyespots, and blue and green thorax color are the best determination for this damselfly. The abdomen is blackish-brown on the dorsum with blue sides and light blue terminal segments. Mating was observed in April and found at the Kunda through August. Distribution is throughout India across Nepal (especially in Pokhara), Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Anisoptera

Family Gomphidae or Clubtails

Paragomphus lineatus

Selys, 1850

Elevation 800 to 1500m

Abdomen 32-37mm

This species will be seen on stones in rivers and streams. It is one of the first gomphid types to arrive in the spring - usually in April. In India, it is the Common Hook-tail and Lined Hooktail, which is obvious from the anatomy of the male. Regionally, it is also found in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, but its distribution is largely west of Nepal including Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Pakistan.

Anisogomphus bivittatus

Selys, 1854

Elevation 1000 to 1500m

Abdomen length

There are three species of Anisogomphus in Nepal, and all three have been reported in the Godavari area but I have not seen A. orites as yet. I have seen it in Pokhara. Males of A. bivittatus differ from A. occipitalis in that it has expansions on the last 3 segments of the abdomen giving it a vase-like appearance. Females are similar to males. The photo below shows this feature very nicely. They are locally common sitting on small bushes next to small streams from May through September. They have a narrow distribution found only in Nepal and NE India.

Anisogomphus occipitalis

(Selys, 1854)

Elevation 1400m

Abdomen Length 52mm

Usually found in forest streams with heavy vegetation. The size and coloration are similar to A. bivittatus but the markings on and shape of the three last segments are very different. Female coloration is similar to males. Found in good numbers on vegetation next to small streams during the monsoon season from June to September. Distribution is Bangladesh, Nepal NW, and NE India.

Lamelligomphus biforceps

(Selys, 1878)

Elevation 1500m

Abdomen Length 41mm

A fine specimen to see with large clasper-type anal appendages. A black background with yellow markings and large circular appendages is a clue to the identity. One male was found resting on plants in the herb garden at ICIMOD. Repeated efforts to find it again were nil. Distribution is not well known but it is found in the northern parts of Himalayas India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Family Aeshnidae or Hawker

Anaciaeschna martini

Selys, 1897

Elevation (regionally) 700 to 2100m

Abdomen Length 45 - 55mm

Previously listed as A. donaldi. Below is an A. martini female ovipositing into aquatic plant clusters in the wetland at ICIMOD. The male swoops down grabs the female and they mate high above the ground at treetop level, the males fly off and the females descend to the pond. The female identification shows yellow colors on the thorax and upper abdomen, the male areas are blue, and the females have very dark wing venation as shown. A single teneral male specimen in the Nepal Natural History Museum in Kathmandu is labeled A. martini and a female specimen in the Natural History Museum in Pokhara is labeled A. donaldi. The mixup in these species was fueled by Fraser.

A. martini male July 2017. The males of A. martini are hard to find and very few records exist with a good description. We found a male dead on the ground while walking through the Godavari Knowledge Park, but it was confusing when I read that A. martini is found in Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. The specimens from this region in several Natural History Museums were also confusing. A. donaldi is listed as being found in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Western Ghats in South India. However, it is a long-distance flyer and the range of flight is unknown. It is found near forested swamps and small pools at elevations of 800m to 1700m. In Japan, it is found from sea level to mountain areas. This one was just above a small wetland area that is to the east of ICIMOD Knowledge Park in Godavari close to where a female was found in June 2012 ovipositing in a nearby forest pond. A close migratory relative, A. jaspidea, is found below Godavari but I have not encountered it.

Anax nigrofasciatus

Fraser, 1935

Elevation 1000 to 2000m

Abdomen Length 53mm

Anax nigrofasciatus is similar in behavior to A. martini. The flight is rapid over the surface of small ponds, except both males and females are seen flying near the pond. Females oviposit into surface water plants and loose mud close to the sides of these ponds. They have been found at several locations in Godavari and at higher locations at Shiv Puri above 2000m. Sightings are from March through July. Distribution is Nepal and NE India.

Above the top view of the male, to the side anal appendages. The bottom photo is the exuviae.

Sarasaeschna previously Oligoaeschna martini

Lieftinck, 1968

Elevation 1500

Abdomen length 38-39mm

This one presents many problems as it almost fits the descriptions in Fraser 1934 of Jagoria martini Laidlaw,1921. But this one was reassigned to Oligoaeschna by Lieftinck as he attempted to characterize the genera together under this name. The name was changed again to Sarasaeschna by Karube and Yeh, 2014. According to Lieftinck, there were a few solitary females such as the one I have photographed here. It seems to fit the details of O. decorata. However, I originally put this as O. martini because of the description in Fraser, 1936 of Jagoria martini, but Lieftinck also mentions that Fraser places the female he describes as J. martini but his drawings of the female appendages are much closer to O. decorata. There is still some confusion as to what this one might actually be. So excuse the uncertainty of this identification but given the resources I have, I believe this is as close as I can get. Distribution is listed as Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Gynacantha bayadera

Selys, 1891

Elevation 800 to 1800m

Abdomen length 45mm

A widespread species that turns up all over Asia - from New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and throughout North East India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its identifying feature is the lack of a black "T" on the upper front. It flies at dusk and is a voracious carnivore. This one was found cruising up and down the road that goes to Pulchowki Peak (2764m) at an elevation of 1600m. Seen only at dusk from August through October.

Gynacantha incisura

Fraser, 1935

Elevation 1200 - 1500m

Abdomen Length 47mm

I first found this one on the doorstep one night in Godavari. It was attracted to the light but must have died in the night. At first, it was not clear that it was G. incisura because the incised part was not very clear as depicted in Fraser's drawing. After looking at the drawings by Asahina, 1984 it was more convincing. They are crepuscular and found hanging from branches in the jungle during the day. Distribution is listed as Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand, but I would expect it to show up elsewhere.

The anal appendage is shown above from the ventral surface. The incised part is shallow. Below is the female.

Polycanthagyna erythromelas

(McLachlan, 1985)

Elevation 1500m

Abdomen length 67mm

This is a large attractive dragonfly that is found across the Himalayas and into Pakistan on the west and as far as Vietnam to the east. It tends to fly in the evenings flying back and forth as it devours mosquitos. The females differ significantly from the males with reddish-brown from the 2nd segment down. They breed in small ponds and have been found from June through September.

Family Cordulegastridae or Spiketail

Anotogaster nipalensis

(Selys, 1854)

Elevation 1300 - 2000m

Abdomen Length 54mm

Commonly found along flowing streams at elevations from 1300 to 1800 meters in the Himalayas Nepal, NE India, and Bhutan. The male will guard shady stream sections flying low over the water where females oviposit into the mud banks and soft plants along the edges. Males and females are very similar in appearance but the female has a large spike at the end of the abdomen. They are plentiful from August to October.

Family Synthemistidae

Idionyx stevensi

Fraser, 1924

Elevation above 1400m

Abdomen length 32mm

Only one male (May 2012) was found in the small wetland near ICIMOD. This was an emerging teneral that had not emerged successfully and was taken as a specimen. It is a beautiful dragonfly with emerald green eyes and a metallic green thorax with bright yellow colored stripes. I believe the degradation of the habitat has affected the population. The water source where the specimen was found has now become unreliable. Previously placed in the family of Corduliidae but now molecular information has redefined the family and many taxa placed there. The distribution is China, India, and Nepal.

Family Macromiidae or Cruisers

Macromia moorei

Selys, 1874

Elevation 1400 to 2100m

Abdomen Length 48-52mm

As is true of most Macromia sp, the noticeable features are the emerald green eyes and on closer inspection the laterally flattened appearance of the body. They are patrollers moving up and down streams or if luckily found perching pendant-like from tree branches. Found from June through September. Distribution is along the NE Himalayas in Nepal and India.

Libellulidae or Perchers

Acisoma panorpoides

Rambur, 1842

Elevation of sea level to 1500m

Abdomen 15-18mm

Very common throughout Asia and Africa with many common names such as Asian Pintail, Grizzled Pintail, Trumpet Tail, etc. The body shape, size, and color make it very quick to ID. Females are yellow otherwise the same as the males. They are found in wetlands, ponds, lakes, and streams, mostly during monsoons. In Nepal, they are found from about 1400 m to the Terai at 90m.

Brachythemis contaminata

(Fabricius, 1793)

Elevation sea level to 1400m

Abdomen Length 18-21mm

A very common species found throughout Asia and with many names; Orange-winged Groundling, Ditch Jewel, Common Amberwing, etc. This one is not particular about its habitat. It is found in open areas to all kinds of water sources (even some that are not clean). The female is a pale version of the male. They appear early and in some warmer climates, it is found all year. In Nepal, it is seen during the monsoon season and a bit before June to September.

Crocothemis servillia

(Drury, 1773)

Elevation from 80 to 1400m

Abdomen length 24-35mm

Found throughout Asia including Japan, Indonesia, and into Central Asia and the Middle East and even accidentally introduced into the United States (Florida). Called the Oriental Scarlet or Scarlet Skimmer. It is very common in Nepal where it is found in small lakes and ponds during the monsoon season and into October. They appear in April and vanish in October when the weather turns colder.

Diplacodes trivialis

(Rambur, 1842)

Elevation sea-level - 1400m

Abdomen Length 19-22mm

Like the previous, this one is prevalent throughout Asia and into Papua New Guinea and Australia. It also has many common names, such as Blue Percher and Little Blue Darter. It is not too particular about habitat and it is often found sitting on the ground away from water sources. In tropical areas, it is seen all year. In Nepal, it is seen from August to October.

Male above - female below

Neurothemis f. fulvia

(Drury, 1773)

Elevation 80 - 1500m

Abdomen length 21-26mm

A very striking dragonfly that is easy to spot - it is sometimes mistaken for a butterfly with its slow flight. It is found in many locations throughout Asia often called Fulvous Forest Skimmer. In Nepal, it is usually near paddy fields and shrubs near wetlands and ponds. The Male has a round clear area at the tips of reddish wings. Females' wings are uniform in color. It is one of the first to appear in April and the last to be seen in late October.

Neurothemis i. intermedia

(Rambur, 1842)

Elevation 80 to 1400m

Abdomen Length

Found at lower elevations in Godavari close to paddy fields. It is appropriately called the Paddy Field Parasol. It is not a strong flyer and rests on the paddy bund or ditches near paddy fields. It breeds after the rains or when irrigation starts.

Male above - female below

Orthetrum glaucum

(Brauer, 1865)

Elevation 800 - 1500m

Abdomen length 29-35mm

This one is found at the Kunda from May through October. They breed in small ponds. This taxon is widely dispersed throughout Asia. They are called Asian Skimmer or Blue Marsh Hawk The ID is a dark face and powdery blue coating as older adults become fully pruinose. Breeding is from June to November.

Orthetrum japonicum

(Uhler, 1858)

Elevation 1200 - 1800m

Abdomen Length 28-30mm

Found across the Himalaya-Hindu Kush region, Western Ghats, East Asia, and Japan. The body shape is more of a flat tube, equally fat almost to the end of the abdomen. The color is a very light blue with a dirty blue face. This one is not as common as other Orthetrum relatives. It is found at elevations above 1200m resting on lily pads or reed beds in wetlands and small freshwater ponds. Breeding is in April and through the end of the Monsoon.

Orthetrum luzonicum

(Brauer, 1868)

Elevation

Abdomen Length 28-30mm

Like other relatives in the Orthetrum group of skimmers, these are widespread in Asia from Afghanistan to the Philippines including Sri Lanka and South India. The key identifying feature is the pale yellow face and dilated upper abdomen. The color varies from juvenile to adult becoming more pruinose to a sky blue color. They are found in the same location as the others in the group near the Kunda and other small ponds. Called Luzon Skimmer. It is usually present from June through October.

Juvenile male top - next older male and last photo female

Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

(Rambur, 1842)

Elevation sea-level - 1800m

Abdomen Length 28-31mm

They are not particular about habitat and are found in rivers, streams, paddy lands, and lakes. It is called the Pink Skimmer. Identification is the dark purplish-blue thorax and a bright pinkish-red abdomen. Females in the group are harder to distinguish from other Orthetrum genera. This one has a lateral expansion on segment 8. The life cycle is long from April to November. It has a very wide distribution and is common in most places across Asia Taiwan and Japan.

Orthetrum sabina

(Drury, 1773)

Elevation of sea level to 1600m

Abdomen length 30-36mm

Called the Slender Skimmer or the Green Skimmer this one occurs in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and all of Asia including Micronesia. Coloration is unique as is the extreme shape of the abdomen within this group. Males and females are very similar. It is found in a wide variety of habitats. In Nepal, it breeds at different times depending on the location but is usually seen from June to October.

Orthetrum taeniolatum

(Schneider, 1845)

Elevation 80 - 18m

Abdomen Length 22-25mm

The Small Skimmer is found in the Himal-Hindu Kush region. It is identified from the dirty blue-grey face, hyaline wings, and yellowish-orange pterostigma. It is not common in the Godavari area because it prefers hotter lower regions. Still, it is occasionally seen early in the season April to June before Monsoon.

Orthetrum triangulare

(Selys, 1878)

Elevation 800 - 1600m

Abdomen Length 29-33mm

Very common in Godavari from May through November. It is called the Triangle Skimmer. The male is easy to distinguish having a black thorax and end of abdomen with bright blue in between. The wings have a small triangular black color in the hind wing. It is found breeding from April to October. It has a wide distribution across the Himalayas Hindu Kush, Sri Lanka, across east Asia, and Taiwan.

Palpopleura sexmaculata

(Fabricius, 1787)

Elevation up to 1600m

Abdomen Length 14-16

Widespread in Asia and common near paddy lands. Commonly called the Asian Widow or Blue-tailed Yellow Skimmer. It is one of the smallest dragonflies. It is quite colorful, males are blue with black and yellow wing venation and females are similar to the male but yellow. It is easy to spot and identify them. They are usually seen in the area from April to October.

Pantala flavescens

(Fabricius, 1798)

Elevation sea-level - 2000m

Abdomen length 29-35mm

The Globe Wanderer gets this name because it is found almost all around the world. Recent articles have described its migration patterns. It is an opportunistic breeder - as soon as rain forms bigger puddles you will find rapid mating and egg-laying into the wet ground. They are often found gliding above grasslands, roads, and fields. They have yellow-orange bodies with long pointed black anal appendages. Migratory herds will appear twice a year in Nepal once in April and then again in late August to September.

Sympetrum commixtum

(Selys, 1884)

Elevation 1500 - 3300m

Abdomen Length 28-30mm

This species is found in the Himalayan region in small lakes or ponds and high-altitude wetlands. It is typically red-bodied and marked with black; the female is yellow with black. Juvenile males look like females. Recorded from June to later October with breeding seen in October at 2000m. Called Mountain Meadowhawk.

Trithemis aurora

(Burmeister, 1839)

Elevation sea-level - 1800m

Abdomen Length 21-29mm

The hot pink color is striking when you first see this one on green reeds or grasses next to small ponds or rivers. It is very common throughout Asia. The female is yellow with a large ochre-colored patch in the hind wings and brown wingtips. Called Dawn Dropwing, Crimson Dropwing, or Crimson Marsh Glider.

Trithemis festiva

(Rambur, 1842)

Elevation 80 - 2000m

Abdomen length 22-28mm

Another widespread species occurs throughout Asia and into southern Europe. The male is a lovely dark indigo-blue color, thus giving it the name Indigo Drop-wing or Black Stream Glider. The female is harder to find and only appears when it is time to breed, which is very quick then disappears after ovipositing. It perches on rocks in small streams or next to banks of rivers and ponds and occasionally with Trithemis aurora. Breeding is during monsoon.

Trithemis festiva female above and a male below

Urothemis signata signata

Rambur, 1842

Elevation of sea level to 1500m

Abdomen 27-28mm

There are many subspecies found throughout Asia where it is most commonly U. signata signata. It needs more study to differentiate the subspecies - sometimes the more common the easier it is to overlook slight differences. Bright red with patches in the wings make for common names like Greater Crimson Skimmer and Scarlet Basker. It is common from mid-hills to Terai in Nepal throughout the year in some places. It is not common in Godavari.