Dragonflies are one of the fascinating insects around us. They belong to order Odonata in insect classification and in India more than 500 species are found (both Dragonflies and Damselflies). They are primarily aquatic insects and their life is closely linked with specific aquatic habitats. They undergo 4 life stages, which are egg, larvae, pupae and adult stage.
Our campus at Burnihat, Assam is placed in a valley having small mountain line on both sides. Basically its a marshy land which remain waterlogged in rainy season. There is a pond inside the campus which is surrounded by marshy grass lands. Even our play ground becomes meadows in rainy season. This gives a very suitable place for Odonates to complete their life cycle as they prefer marshy conditions. This place is blessed with high diversity of Odonates. It is an attempt to photograph, identify and document them. In this first part 12 species are being covered. And in next parts I will try to cover rest which I able to document here.
1. Fulvous Forest Skimmer (Neurothemis fulvia)
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| Male |
It is a medium sized, most common dragonfly found in the campus which are available at almost everywhere, near and away from the water. In the campus many times they can be seen gregariously.
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| Female |
2. Ground Skimmer
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| Male |
A small dragonfly which remains close to the ground. Generally they can be seen along the roadsides. In our campus they are common along roadsides, playground and meadows.
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| Female |
3. Pied Paddy Skimmer (Neurothemis
tullia)
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| Male |
A medium sized dragonfly, can be seen beside pond, grassland and roadsides. Usually perches on low grass or herbs.
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| Female |
4. Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum pruinosum)
A medium sized dragonfly. Males are found everywhere and easily spotted.
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| Male |
5. Emarald-Flanked Marsh Hawk (Brachydiplax farinosa)
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| Male |
A medium sized dragonfly. Males generally found near pond and other aquatic places.Females can be seen away from water along roadsides and grasslands. Very high density of these individuals can be seen near pond in rainy season.
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| Female |
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| Mating Pair |
6. Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk (Brachydiplax chalybea)
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| Male |
Medium sized dragonflies. Males mostly stay very near to the water perching on the vegetation. In the campus around the pond they can be seen in large number in rainy season. Females can be seen away from water.
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| Female |
7. Ruddy Marsh Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia)
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| Male |
A medium sized dragonfly, males found near pond and sometimes on exposed perches away from water. Females can be found near and more away from water.
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| Female |
8. Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata)
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| Male |
Small dragonflies known to found near polluted water. In the campus it is mainly found around the pond. Both male and female stay near to the water.
female-(1).jpg) |
| Female |
9.Common Picture Wing (Rhyothemis variegata)
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| Male
Medium sized, colorful dragonfly found near the pond and also can be found sailing in the air like a butterfly in most part of the campus.
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| Female |
10. Trumpet Tail (Acisoma panorpoides)
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| Male |
Small dragonfly with bulged abdomen (hence the name). Always remain near to the water. In the campus many individuals can be seen perched beside pond.
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| Female |
11. Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina)
A very common medium sized dragonfly species. Found almost everywhere in the campus.
12. Ruddy Meadow Skimmer (Neurothemis intermedia)
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| Male |
A medium sized dragonfly. Found in grassland and roadsides in the campus.
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| Female
Gear used to photograph: Nikon D90, Nikkor 55-300mm, Nikkor 70-300mm VR, Tamron 17-50mm non-vc
Thank you for viewing. More to come in next parts.
Regards,
Ganesh Hegde
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Taste and quality of photographs is excellent and the text provided is informative. With it if you can provide your nature notes, it will be excellent.
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