Asian Groundling (Brachythemis contaminate) – Common names are Ditch Jewel, Asian Amberwing, Orange Skimmer, Common Amberwing

Asian Groundling is a Very common dragonfly in Sri Lanka. Abdomen – 19-20mm and Wings – 22-23mm. wings 22-23mm. Female is lighter in color and much yellowish with clear wings contrary to male figured above. Habitats are  slow flowing streams, weedy tank edges and marshes from the sea level to mid-hills.  

 

The Asian Groundling males look really good with orange colouration to their wings.Their thorax and abdomen change colour slightly as it ages, from light brown to a more deep orange. The females are very similar to the males, yet they have colourless wings and their thorax and abdomen is a yellow/brown. The females become darker brown as they age.Common names of Brachythemis contaminate are Ditch Jewel, Asian Groundling, Asian Amberwing, Orange Skimmer, Common Amberwing

 

If you ever visit a pond, ditch or bucket of water in Sri Lanka you are sure to come across this species. They even like to follow you as you walk and hover in front of you. Asian Groundling Can be seen all year, everywhere in the lowlands and many uplands places too.

 

Black-tipped Flashwing – (vestalis apicalis nigrescens) – Sri Lankan Endemic species

An endemic damselfly of Sri Lanka found near forest streams and rivers from lower hills to montane areas.

It is common and often found together with Oriental Green-Wing and Shining Gossamerwing.

A male with black-tipps to wings.Both male and female have very shining colors.

I have captured this couple in Padukka,Sri Lanka 

 

Spine-tufted Skimmer – Orthetrum chrysis

In males of spine tufted skimmer, the hindwing is 31 to 34 mm in length and the total body length ranges from 41 to 48 mm. The male has a red face and dark grey eyes. The thorax is dark brown and the abdomen is red. The female is reddish brown. This species is easily confused with Orthetrum testaceum and can be differentiated by the colour of the thorax and eyes of the males and females. Other separating characters include the tuft of setae below the second abdominal segment inOrthetrum chrysis male, lacking in O. testaceum.
spine tufted skimmers are Widespread in tropical Asia including Sr Lanka.Common in ponds and along streams with trees nearby.

 

 

Pied Parasol – Neurothemis tullia tullia Male and Female

The Pied parasol male and female are completely different in terms of appearance.The adult male’s wings have a broad black band followed by a white band. It’s body colour varies with age with juveniles initially having a light brown body.The females have dark brown tips with brown spots in the middle of their golden wings.  Their abdomens are light brown and yellow with black lines running along the length of it. Both sexes are 1.8 cm long.

This species is generally found around tanks, ponds, marshes, slow flowing streams and paddy fields. They can be found from the lowlands to the mid hills throughout the year. Pied parasol can be found throughout South and south-East Asia.