Dragonflies Around Us (Part - 2)

Rainy season is the best time to watch dragonflies as there activity will be more during that period. Its very interesting to observe their behavior such as courtship, egg laying, territory defending etc. In our campus the pond is the best place to watch their activities. Around 15 species of dragonflies can be easily spotted here in rainy season.

In this part I have listed 9 dragonfly species. Remaining species will be covered in next part.

13. Common Clubtail (Ictinogomphus rapax)
A large dragonfly mostly found at the edges of the pond. Only males are spotted till now. Has the habit of chasing other dragonflies from its perching site.

Male

14. Common Hooktail (Paragomphus lineatus)

Male

A medium to large sized dragonfly. Only once I have seen this in the campus. Has the habit of perching upside down during hot weather.

Female

15. Greater Blue Wing (Rhyothemis plutonia)

A medium sized blue dragonfly. Very attractive and beautiful. Commonly found perched near pond. Sometimes can be seen flying in other parts also.

16. Lesser Blue Wing (Rhyothemis triangularis)
A medium sized dragonfly with blue markings at wing base. Found around the pond.

17. Littel Blue Marsh Hawk (Brachydiplax sobrina)

Male

This is one of the most abundant dragonfly near the pond in rainy season. It is a small dragonfly. Male mostly found around the pond. Females seen in very less number but can be seen away from the pond.

Female

18. Long-Legged Marsh Glider (Trithemis pallidinervis)

A medium sized dragonfly with long legs. Seen near the pond, playground and other grasslands. Has the habit of perching at the tip of the perch and holding wings upwards.

19. Scarlet Marsh Hawk (Aethriamanta brevipennis)
A small dragonfly. Found near the pond. Always perches very near to the water. Difficult to approach very near to it. Only spotted male till now.

Male

20. Coral-Tailed Cloud Wing (Tholymis tillarga)

Male

A medium sized dragonfly. Found near the pond, very rarely perches. Both male and female can be seen on their wings all the time near the pond circling from one end to another. Only once seen a male perched away from the water.

Male(above) and Female(below) in flight

21. Blue-Tailed Yellow Skimmer (Palpopleura sexmaculata)

Male - side view

A small dragonfly. Found in marshy places. I spotted this one at the play ground in the campus.

Male - Upper view

Gear used to photograph: Nikon D90, Nikkor 55-300mm, Nikkor 70-300mm VR

Thank you for viewing.

Regards,

Ganesh Hegde

My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganesh_hegde/ and https://www.facebook.com/Ganesh.Hegde.Photography