Brachythemis contaminata

Family Libellulidae

Brachythemis contaminata

(Fabricius 1793)

Elevation sea level to 1500m

Abdomen length 18-21mm

Found in all types of habitats often in disturbed and dirty areas. The males have a beautiful orange color on the wings, females are ground color with bright yellow pterostigma. It has one unflattering name, the Ditch Jewel, but it is also called the Orange-winged Groundling or Asian Groundling. Very common throughout Asia especially near paddy fields. In Nepal, I have seen this one from March through December.

Male

Female