Nature Photography - Singapore Odonata

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2011-09-17T22:32:00.002+08:00

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Gunung Belumut Recreation Forest

2011-07-21T23:19:00.030+08:00

Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest (GBRF) is a protected forest in central Johor. It is located about 30 km north-east of the town of Kluang.

I got to know about GBRF only recently when Mr Tang Hung Bun, an odonata expert, shared with me a video (see below) of the Green Metalwing damselfly that he recorded at this place. He said that he enjoyed very much the dragonflies there.

This got me excited and I requested Tony to do a recce there with the intention of organizing a formal macro outing for members of Nature Photographic Society, Singapore. So， 5 of us (Tony, Allan, Ong, Foong & I) set off early in the morning on 16 July 2011. It was about 7.30 am when we cleared the custom at Tuas second link. We drove towards Kluang and had our breakfast at a coffee shop called "老巴剎“. We reached GBRF at about 10.30 am.

There is a big forest stream on the right side near the entrance of GBRF. The water was clean, moderately flowing, shallow with many small rocks underneath. However, at some areas, the water can be above knee level deep. From my experience, such habitat is an ideal place to find interesting and rare damselfly species.

It did not disappoint. Immediately, a male Euphaea ochracea was spotted perching at the edge of the stream. Not too far away, perching on the rocks in the middle of the water were a few beautiful Green Metalwing, both male and female.

(Green Metalwing, female)

(Green Metalwing, male)

It was a big wide stream which can easily accommodate many photographers at one time. As we moved around the stream, many other damselflies species were spotted. There were so many of them that there is no need to queue up to shoot.

(Allan spotted another rare damselfly)

(Euphaea ochracea, male)

(Euphaea ochracea, female)

(A male Libellago aurantiaca guarding a eggs laying female)

(Heliocypha biforata, male)

(Heliocypha perforata, male)

(A mating pair of Euphaea Impar)

After spending more than 3.5 hrs at this stream, we stopped for a short break at 2.30 pm where we ate breads as lunch that we bought at the coffee shop earlier. All of us were tired but happy with what we had photographed. As it was still early, we decided to walk further up the stream hoping to find more interesting subjects.

(Another steam further away from the entrance)

Damselfly (26a) - Dysphaea Dimidiata

2011-07-20T00:16:00.006+08:00

Family : Euphaeidae
Common Name : Black Velvetwing
Status : Extinct
Location : Gunung Belumut Recreation Forest

Dysphaea dimidiate is a large damselfly species, classified as extinct in Singapore. The males have dark purplish colour on its body and half of its wings but when seeing it from afar, it looks more like a black damselfly. The females are said to have brownish yellow marking on its thorax and they are rarely sighted in open areas. The males are normally found perching on rocks, branches or falling logs in clear forest streams. When doing a search in the internet, I could find a handful of male images but not a single image of the female.

My first sighting of a male was at Endau Rompin in August 2010. My impression then was that it is a skirtish species but when we spotted it recently at Gunung Belumut Recreation Forest, it was fairly cooperative. Most of us managed to get some decent shots. I notice that the male likes to perch under hot sunlight. It would, sometimes, open and close its wings while perching as if to suntan its wings. When doing so, it really looks a little like a true dragonfly.

The female D. dimidiata was on my wishlist since last year but what I saw was totally unexpected. A female came from nowhere and suddenly my photography buddy suddenly shouted with excitement “Hey, they mate!”. I turned around and I saw the mating pair perching on an unattractive fallen branch not too far away from me. The lighting was harsh but guessing that the mating may not last long, I did not bother to get something to block the strong sunlight. True enough, the mating lasted only about 3 minutes.

(A rare mating sight)

(The male opened and closed its wings even during mating!)

After the female's anal appendages separated from the male's genitalia, the male pushed the female under the water of a nearby floating log as shown below:

(Male pushed the female under the water)

Thereafter, the female submerged under the water for about 3 to 4 minutes to ovipositing while the male stayed above the log to guard from any disturbance by rival males. It is quite common to see female laying eggs above the waterline or at the waterline but this is the first that I saw egg laying below the waterline! Truely amazing!

(Female laying eggs under the water)

Damselfly (34) - Vestalis amoena

2011-07-19T17:16:00.012+08:00

Family : Calopterygidae

Common name : Charming Flashwing
Status : Uncommon
Location : Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest, Johore

We have two Vestalis species in Singapore namely V. amethystina & V. amoena. Both look almost identical with metallic green colouration and they have attractive clear wings that can sparkle with purplish iridescence when photographed at a correct angle and with fill flash. V. amethystina is a common forest species in Singapore but V. amoena is classified as uncommon. V. amethystina is frequently found in the vicinity of clear forest streams whereas, V. amoena is often associated with large forest streams.

(Male - 16 July 2011)

According to the Dragonfly of Singapore book, one way to tell them apart is through of the anal appendages. I did not manage to get a close-up shot of this damselfly as it disappeared when I tried to close in with my gears. Hence, I have no idea how to tell from looking at the image. Since this damselfly was found at a large forest stream, I hope it is a V. amoena. Please correct me if I am wrong.

(Male - 16 July 2011)

Damselfly (33) - Neurobasis chinensis

2011-07-10T19:39:00.005+08:00

Family : Calopterygidae

Common name : Green Metalwing
Status : Extinct

Location : Mt Ophir

This is a large damselfly species usually found at moderate to swift flowing clear forest streams or near waterfalls. It likes to perch on stones or fallen logs in streams. Such habitat, unfortunately, can no longer be found in Singapore and therefore, this species is believed to be extinct nationally. Accordingly to Dragonflies of Singapore book, it was last recorded in a stream at Upper Macritchie in 1970.

The males have transparent forewings and attractive metallic green hindwings. When in flight, the male looks like a beautiful butterfly flipping its brilliant metallic wings. It is one of the most stunning damselflies that I have seen so far. The female is a little less impressive than the male but still attractive to me. It has amber coloured wings with white wing-spot. Both the males and females have metallic green thorax and abdomen.

This damselfly is considered a common species in Malaysia. Both the male & female were photographed at a stream near the entrance of Mt. Ophir Recreation Forest.

(Male, Mt Ophir - 8 July 2011)

(Female, Mt Ophir - 8 July 2011)

Dragonfly (44) - Potamarcha congener

2011-06-02T20:30:00.005+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Common Chaser
Status : Common
Location : Jalan Bahar Wasteland, Tampines Eco Park

This species is classifed as common and widespread in Singapore. But strangely, this is my first sighting of a male, Potamarcha congener at a wasteland near Jalan Bahar. I have not seen anyone else photographing it except in Mr Tang Hung Bun's Book. A skittish species and I had to put on my 2xTC to get this record shot. It flew off after a few shots.

(Male, Jalan Bahar's Wasteland - 14 May 2011)

I saw my friend photographed this species, both male and female, at the recently opened Tampines Eco Park and decided to try my luck. To my surprise, there were quite a no. of males & females perching near 3 small ponds. The females were relatively cooperative and I am happy to get some decent shots.

(Female, Tampines Eco Park - 2 June 2011)

The males were again skittish but I could approach a little closer this time compared to my first encounter. Still not a good shot but I am confident that I would get improvement shots when I visit Tampines Eco Park again!

(Male, Tampines Eco Park - 2 June 2011)

Damselfly (16b) - Amphicenis gracilis, Male

2011-05-30T14:02:00.007+08:00

I am happy to have finally photographed a male, Amphicenis gracilis. Typically of this species, it perched near a small pool of smelly muddy water under very dim surrounding. It was pretty tough shooting in such poor lighting condition especially this damselfly is highly sensitive to the use of flash. As such, most of my images are captured without flash such as this one:

(Lornie Trail - 21 May 2011)

The following image is the only acceptable shot with flash:

(Shot with fill flash)

I will certainly revisit this place to get improvement shots as well as close-up.

See related posts:

16 - Amphicenis gracilis

16a - Improvement shots of a pretty immature female, A. gracilis

Dragonfly (6a) - Orchithemis pulcherrima, Male

2011-05-21T14:40:00.005+08:00

O. pulcherrima is a relatively small forest dragonfly species, classified as common and abundant. This species is interesting but confusing because of its many colour forms, sometimes related to age and sex as stated in Mr Tang Hung Bun’s book “Dragonflies of Singapore”. The males can appear in five different colours while the females have at least 3. Are they really common and abundant? Yes, but only the red form males are most commonly found in forested areas in Singapore. I have seen them at Venus Drive, Upper Seletar, Upper Peirce, Lornie Trail, Rifle Range, etc.

(Red form male - most common)

The same cannot be said to the other 4 males. In particular, the dark form, black abdomen & brown adbomen in my opinion are uncommon and rare respectively. It took me almost 3 years to complete my collection.

(Dark form, black adbomen male - uncommon)

(Dark form, brown abdomen male - rare)

(Male, orange abdomen - relatively common)

(Immature male, yellowish brown abdomen - relatively common)

The females have fewer colour forms. I have seen about 3 forms so far. I was fortunate to spot a mating pair at Lornie Trail not too long ago. Unlike most dragonflies which mate briefly and separated within a minute, this pair lasted about 5 minutes or so allowing me to take some decent shots.

(Mating pair - Lornie Trail)

Damselfly (16a) - Amphicnemis gracilis

2011-03-17T13:13:00.004+08:00

After collected 70% of Singapore damselflies, it is so difficult to add new ones. It is already March now and I don't even have a single new addition for this year So, the next best thing is to get improvement shots of exisitng collection Presenting here is an improvement shot of an immature female, A. gracilis.

(Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail - 16 Mar 2011)

I particularly like the striking red thorax of the immature female and it is on my wishlist to get some close-up shots of it.

(Side view close-up)

A. gracilis is one of the most cooperative damselflies that I have seen. It usually stays on a particular spot for a long period of time. The difficulty in photographing this species is that it prefers to stay around dark surrounding area. That means we have to shoot this species in a very slow shutter speed eg. the side view close-up above was shot at 4 seconds despite using a high ISO 800!

Click here for more information of this beautiful damselfly species.

Dragonfly (43) - Macromia cincta

2011-01-21T21:51:00.005+08:00

Family : Corduliidae
Common Name : Stream Cruiser
Status : Rare
Location : Lornie Trail

According to the Book on Dragonflies of Singapore, this is a huge dragonfly which can be seen flying along forest trails near swampy areas. It is a rare species which is knowm to be found at MacRitchie Resevior.

They have beautiful bluish-green eyes and there is an unmistakable whitish band on the side of its thorax.

I was glad to spot this dragonfly hanging on a tree branch when I went with 2 friends for odonata hunting at Lornie Trail yesterday. The eyes of this dragonfly are more bluish in colour and my guess was that it should be a female which was later correctly confirmed by Mr Tang. It was quite cooperative and I managed to take both the dorsal and side views. Unfortunately the sunlight was harsh and I couldn't get a good shot of the dorsal view ie. the bright branch in the background is quite distracting.

Having said that, I am still happy with what I have as it is my first dragonfly post in 2011!

(Lornie Trail - 20 Jan 2011)

Summary of Odonata Collection in 2010!

2010-12-31T17:53:00.002+08:00

2010 was another fruitful year for me in photographing Odonata. I have added 17 new dragonfly and 8 damselfly species in my collection, many of which are classified as uncommon, rare, very rare or even extinct in Singapore. The breakdown is as follows:

Dragonflies (17)
Common species = 4
Uncommon species = 9
Rare species = 2
Critical Endangered = 1

Damselflies (8)
Uncommon species = 3
Rare species = 1
Very Rare species = 2
Extinct in Singapore = 2 (photographed in Malaysia)

With that, I have collected a total of 74 odonata species so far, which represents 60% of 124 Singapore species. Looking forward to add more in Year 2011.

Wishing all a Happy New Year!

Damselfly (32) - Platylestes heterostylus

2010-12-03T14:36:00.005+08:00

Family : Lestidae
Common name : Slender Sprendwing
Status : Very Rare
Location : Endau Rompin State Park

According to the Photographic Guide to Dragonflies of Singapore Book, Platylestes heterostylus was found in Singapore in 1960 - 1970's and was last recorded at Macritchie on 29 Aug 1980. It looks very much like Lestes praemorsus except that its thorax is pale green in colour with dark spots instead of greyish-blue.

For the past 30 years, it has never been sighted again and that may be the reason why there was no picture available (only drawing) in the abovementioned Dragonflies book. Although it was classified as very rare, it is highly possible that it may already been extinct in Singapore.

(Endau-Rompin State Park - 30 Oct 2010)

When I photographed the above damselfly at Endau-Rompin State Park, it never occurred to me that it was a species that was previously recorded in Singapore. It was only when Noppadon makbun, an odonata expert from Thailand, advised me on its id. I was delighted that I had added another Singapore damselfly species in my collection.

Revisit Endau Rompin State Park (29 - 31 Oct 2010)

2010-11-26T00:15:00.005+08:00

Endau Rompin, straddling the Johor/Pahang border, is the second National Park in Malaysia, after Taman Negara. It covers an area of approximately 80,000 hectares of rich and exotic flora and fauna, encompassing the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it derives its name.

This was my third visit to Endau-Rompin State Park (ERSP), the first and second being more on a recce mission. Together with 3 Committee Members from Nature Photographic Society of Singapore (NPSS), we organised a 3 days 2 night trip for 22 paid-up members.

Although ERSP is a huge place, we spent most of our shootings at only 3 small areas ie. a wetland, a forest stream outside ERSP and a 50-metre tall waterfall inside ERSP.

Wetland outside ERSP

This wetland was about 10 minutes drive from the entrance of ERSP. Dragonflies and damselflies are quite plentiful here such as Diplacodes nebulosa, Nannophya pygmaea, a look-alike Lestes praemorsus, a look-alike Pseudagrion australasiae, etc.

(A wetland outside Endau Rompin State Park)

Personally, the most unusual species that I phographed at this wetland was a look-alike Lestes praemorsus. Unlike the bluish-grey Lestes praemorus that we see in Singapore, it has a pale greenish outlook. Everything else such as size, appearance, habitat and its unique way of perching, are exactly the same as L. praemorsus. It was quite skittish and after a few shots, it flew off and disappeared. I have searched the internet but I could not find any image that matches this damselfly. So, if you know the ID, kindly let me know.

(A look-alike Lestes praemorsus - 30 Oct 2010)

There was another damselfly species that looks like our Pseudagrion australasiae. The female looks no different but the thorax of the male is greenish blue in colour instead of light blue from the Singapore version. They were plentiful of this species here but it was difficult to get close to them when it was perching alone. It was only when they were in mating position that I could take some decent shots of them.

(A look-alike Pseudagrion australasiae)

The smallest dragonfly, Nannophya pygmaea, can also be found here. The males, immature males, females were all over the place and I believe most of us have some good shots of them. I managed to get an improvement shot of an immature male.

(Immature male Nannophya pygmaea - 30 Oct 2010)

Small forest stream Outside ERSP

There was a small forest stream just 5 minutes drive from the above wetland where we found quite a no. of uncommon damselfly species. These include Dysphaea dimidiata, Libellago aurantiaca, Vestalis amoena, Prodasineur humeralis, Prodasineura interrupta, Rhinagrion macrocephalum, Elattoneura analis, Sundacypha petiolata, etc.

(A small forest stream outside ERSP)

My most precious find has to be the Sundacypha petiolata. It is an uncommon forest species that cannot be found in Singapore. It likes to perch lowly just above the stream water under the shaded forest canopy. Lighting was not ideal but this species was very cooperative.

(Sundacypha petiolata - 30 Oct 2010)

I also managed to get some improvement shots of a male Libellago aurantiaca here. Unfortunately, my target of shooting the female did not materialised. 2 males were spotted but the females were nowhere to be seen.

(Male Libellago aurantiaca - 30 Oct 2010)

Rhinagrion macrocephalum is one of the most colourful damselfies that I have seen so far. My first encounter of this species was at Panti Forest about 6 months ago. I was happy to find it here and this time I got a better shot of it.

(Rhinagrion macrocephalum - 30 Oct 2010)

Dragonfly (42) - Pornothemis starrei

2010-11-13T22:07:00.001+08:00

Family : Libelluidae
Common Name : Mangrove Marshal
Status : Rare
Location : Punggol Forest

According to the Singapore Dragonflies Book, this is a rare mangrove dragonfly species spotted only at Pulau Ubin, Mandai & Lim Chu Kang. The male has a black thorax & abdomen with dull greenish blue eyes. Females are said to have olive-coloured thorax.

During this morning's macro outing with many of my friends at Punggol forest, we were lucky to spot 2 males at a small muddy stream. The surrounding was quite dark and this species preferred to perch lowly just above the water making it difficult to shoot. Fortunately, it was quite cooperative allowing us to take some record shots.

From the dorsal view, it looks like a bigger version of Chalybeothemis fluviatilis. I hope I did not identify this species wrongly.

(Punggol Forest - 13 Nov 2010)

(Dorsal view - 13 Nov 2010)

Damselfly (31) - Libellago Stigmatizans

2010-10-06T18:47:00.007+08:00

Family : Chlorocyphidae
Common Name : Orange-faced Gem
Status : Extinct in Singapore
Location : Panti Forest, Johor

Libellago Stigmatizans is one of the 4 Libellago species in Singapore. While the other 3 species can still be found locally, L. Stigmatizans is classified as “probably extinct” in Singapore. The male has turquoise-blue and black markings on its thorax with interesting bright orange coloration between its eyes. The female has similar colours of the other 3 Libellago species which is greyish black in colour.

(Male - Panti Forest, 15 May 2010)

Two males were spotted in a stream about 2 to 3 metres wide, at Panti Forest (Johor, Malaysia) where the water was swift moving but quite muddy. They were flying non-stop and engaged in territorial fights. Occasionally, one would perch near the water surface but the next moment, you would see the 2nd one attacking it and they started fighting in mid-air again. Under such situation, shooting them with a tripod proved to be near impossible. So, I released my camera from the tripod, set to full flash mode and my target was to get both males fighting in the air in a single frame.

As the stream water was almost at knee-level high, I could not squat down as it would wet my backside. Standing would not be able to get close enough to the damselflies, so I had to blend down quite a little like an old man. It was tiring shooting in this position as I had to move where the damsels moved. I had to take a break every 5 minutes or so. This went on for the next half an hour and despite my hard work I failed to get the shots I wanted. I could only manage some flight shots of individual males as a consolation.

Initially, I tried using manual focus but my hands were not fast enough. Autofocus works better for me in this condition. I am likely to visit Panti Forest in the near future and I hope to meet the female in my next visit there.

Behaviours of Libellago Lineata

2010-09-30T19:38:00.010+08:00

I was fortunate to witness some interesting behaviours of Libellago Lineata recently. I saw a few pairs of males involving in territorial fights on separate occasions. When they fight, the two males would confront and face one another in mid air. They hover a few seconds and make forward movements but without contact. Usually, one would flee the area after a minute or so but it would come back shortly to challenge the temporary winning male again until the utimate victor is declared!

(Two males involving in territorial fight - 29 Sep 2010)

The winning male has the right of the territory usually within a small area of not more than 3 metres. I was told that female Lineata normally perch high up in trees and would come down to find a mate when they are ready to do so. I have seen 3 mating pairs within 2 days and what was interesting is that unlike other damselflies where they usually mate for a long period (sometime in hours), Lineata only mates for about 20 to 30 seconds! Within such a short period of mating time, getting a good shot at it depends alot on luck. I only managed to shoot about 20 shots from the 3 mating pairs add together, most of which are not of the best quality but I am happy to have finally got a good record mating shot of this species.

(A mating pair in wheel formation - 29 Sep 2010)

After separation from mating, the female would perch on nearby floating log or large tree roots to lay eggs by submersing its adbominal tip into the water.

(A female dips the tip of its adbomen into water to lay eggs)

Based on my observation, the ovipositing process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. During this period, the male will guard the ovipositing female from the disturbance by rival males by perching very nearby. The female does not lay its eggs on a fixed spot, it would crawl usually forward as they ovipositing. Sometimes they would fly away for a second or two but return to the perch. During this egg laying process, there are good apportunities to shoot both the male and females in a single frame ie. side by side, back to back, facing each other, etc.

(A male guarding the ovipositing female)

Damselfly (30) - Libellago Lineata

2010-09-24T14:24:00.009+08:00

Family : Chlorocyphidae
Common Name : Golden Gem
Status : Rare
Location : Lower Pierce Reservior

According to the The Singapore Dragonflies Book, this Golden Gem has only been recorded at Mandai forest stream. The male has a similar thorax of Libellago Hyalina but it can be easier distinuished with its golden-yellow markings on the first 5-6 abdominal segments and black colour from segment 7-10. The female is said to be bigger with greyish & dark marking on its thorax and abdomen.

(Juvenile Male - Lower Peirce Reservior, 23 Sep 2010)

The above damselfly was spotted perching on a dry twig near the edge of Lower Peirce Reservior. For afar, based on at its colour and size, it looked like a female L. Hyalina to me. But when I moved closer, I got the feeling that it could be a juvenile male L. Hyalina. It was quite cooperative acutally but I could photograph only 3 shots due to my carelessness. My tripod touched the twig accidentally when I moved closer causing it to shake violently. It flew away and disappeared into nowhere! I searched high and low for the next 20 mins or so but I could not locate it.

I seek Mr Tang's advice on its id and he told me that this could be a juvenile male, L. Lineata. It doesn't quite look like what was described above as its colours have not fully developed yet. A great find accordingly to him as it means that this species can be found elsewhere other than in Mandai forest. He asked me for the exact location which I obliged as he wanted to study this species further. I shall visit this place again with the hope of shooting the adult species soon.

Afternote : I revisited this morning and was rewarded with this shot below. The striking yellowish orange colour of this beautiful damselfly is particularly attractive to me.

(Adult Male - Lower Peirce Reservior, 27 Sep 2010)

Dragonfly (42) - Orchithemis Pruinans

2010-09-22T17:13:00.009+08:00

Family : Libelluidae

Common Name : Blue Sentinel

Status : Rare

Location : Upper Peirce

This is a rare forest species which prefers to perch under shaded areas. The male has dark thorax and abdomen. Abdominal segments 2-4 are powdery bluish-white. It looks very similar to the dark form of male Orchithemis Pulcherrima except that O. Pruinans is slighter larger and its abdomen is thinner and longer. The white marking of O. Pulcherrima covers only the second and third segments of its abdomen. The female is said to be brown in colour which has not been recorded in Singapore.

(Male - Upper Peirce, 20 Sep 2010)

This male was spotted recently at Upper Peirce forest. I have originally thought that it was an uncommon dark form male O. Pulcherrima, which I was glad to add to my collection. Little did I know that it was actually a rare O. Pruinans making me even happier! It is an easy subject to photograph as it stays at the fixed spot for a long period. Even if it flew away, it would return or perch very nearby. The only problem is the poor lighting as it always choose a shaded area to perch. I saw quite a no. of them around the vincinity but I am unsure whether they were O. Pulcherrima or O. Pruinans now.

(Side view - Upper Peirce, 20 Sep 2010)

Reference : A photographic guide on Dragonflies of Singapore.

Damselfly (29) - Pseudagrion Pruinosum ( 赤斑蟌)

2010-09-19T12:15:00.008+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae

Common Name : Grey Sprite

Status : Uncommon forest species

Location : Panti Forest, Malaysia

This uncommon damselfly was first recorded in Singapore in 1997. The male has a pale greyish blue thorax with brown eyes. A middle-sized species with a relatively long abdomen. The female is said to be quite different from the male in that it has an olive-green eyes and thorax. The male is not really an attractive species in my view but what is quite unique about it, is that it has an unmistakeable orange-brown face.

(Male - Panti Forest, 15 May 2010)

This male P. Pruinosum was spotted in a grass patch near an open small stream in Panti Forest, Johor. A cooperative species that allowed me to get a close-up side view. I should have taken a frontal close-up showing its unique orange face. I wish I could spot this species, both the males and female, in Singapore soon.

(Male close-up - Panti Forest, 15 May 2010)

Reference : A photographic guide to the Dragonflies of Singapore

Damselfly (28) - Agriocnemis Nana

2010-09-15T19:26:00.013+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Dwarf Wisp
Status : Very rare
Location : Lornie Trail

This is the smallest damselfly in Singapore, a very rare species. It is about 2 cm, slightly smaller than Agriocnemis Femina. The thorax and abdomen of the male are blue in colour with black markings. It looks like a smaller version of the male Pseudagrion Microcephalum. The female has a greenish yellow with black marking thorax, more attractive than the male, in my opinion.

(Female - Lornie Trail, 15 Sep 2010)

I spotted this tiny female at Lornie Trail this morning. After I took a single shot, a female dragonfly (Acisoma Panorpoides) suddenly came and preyed on it! The dragonfly ate so fast that within a few minutes, my precious damselfly species was gone. My friend found another female nearby but before we could capture it, it flew away. As this species was very small in size, it was extremely difficult to re-locate it. A real pity that I did not photograph this species well :-(

(Eaten by a dragonfly - 15 Sep 2010)

Afternote : I revisited Lornie Trail on 20 Oct 2010 and I sighted one female around the same area. I was happy to capture some improvement shots this time round.

(Lornie Trail - 20 Oct 2010)

Dragonflies & Damselflies @ Endau-Rompin National Park

2010-09-11T12:25:00.013+08:00

After a 3 days 2 nights landscape photography trip at mersing from 28 - 30 August 2010, Allan, Tony & I extended a day trip to Endau-Rompin National Park to shoot macro. There were quite a no. of damselflies and dragonflies here and these are some that I managed to capture on pixars.

(Aristocypha fenestrella, Male)

(Indocnemis Orang, Male - the largest damselfly that I have seen so far!)

(Elattoneura analis)

(ID unknown)

(Nannopha Pygmaea, Male - 31 Aug 2010)

(Diplacodes Nebulosa, Male - 31 Aug 2010)

(Diplacodes Nebulosa, Female - 31 Aug 2010)

(Ictinogomphus Decoratus with prey)

(Rhyothemis Obsolescens)

(Trithemis Festiva, Male)

Podasineura Interrupta
Dysphaea Dimidiata

Dragonfly (41) - Nesoxenia Lineata

2010-09-08T17:48:00.007+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Striped Grenadier
Status : Uncommon forest species
Location : Lornie Trail

According to the "Singapore Dragonfly Book", this is an uncommon forest species which has been recorded only in MacRichie Reservior and Kent Ridge. It looks quite similar to Agrionoptera Insignis especially from the side view. My way of differiating these 2 species are (1) N. Lineata is slightly smaller than A. Insignis; (2) the dorsum of the thorax of N. Lineata is pale blue in colour; (3) for N. Lineata, only abdominal segments 6-8 are red in colour while the abdomen of A. Insignis is red throughout. From the dorsal view, it also looks a little like the male Agrionoptera Sexlineata.

(Lornie Trail - 25 Aug 2010)

This was spotted along Lornie Trail just after the golf link, my first sighting. It perched quite high up on a twig and I had to fully stretch the tripod on the board walk in order to get an eye level shot. It stayed there for a long period without moving abit except glancing at me occasionally while I took pictures of it. I wanted to get a dorsal view but it was too high up for me.

Dragonfly (40) - Urothemis Signata

2010-09-06T01:13:00.003+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Scarlet Basker
Status : Common
Location : Lornie Trail

This is another common dragonfly but my first sighting was only recently at Lornie Trail. The eyes, thorax and abdomen are all red in colour. From the dorsal view, there are 2 black marks near the abdomen tip. I may have seen this species before and mistaken it as Crocothemis Servilia. Both are all red in colour and you need to take a closer look to differentiate them.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

There were quite a no. of them flying near the reservior edge and a few of them appeared to enjoy perching under the hot sunlight. I was lucky to find one that perched comfortably under a shaded tree which made it easier for me to shoot. The female is said to be light yellow brown in colour which I hope to see one soon.

Dragonfly (39) - Gynacantha Subinterrupta

2010-09-04T22:16:00.004+08:00

Family : Aeshnidae
Common Name : Dingy Duskhawker
Status : Uncommon forest species
Location : Tagore Forest

This uncommon species is large in size with an unique and attractive turquoish green eyes. The male has a green thorax with green and blue markings on the base of its abdomen. There is a distinct, dark T-shaped mark on the supper surface of the frons.

This was my first sighting of this dragonfly at the forested area in Tagore Drive this morning. My first impression was that it should be a Gynacantha Dohrni as both look so similar in terms of size, colours and design. I had seen G. Dohrni about 2 to 3 times at Venus Drive more than a year ago and, if I recalled correctly, G. Subinterrupta should be slightly bigger in size than G. Dohrni.

This dragonfly perched on a small tree trunk near a fast flowing stream. The surrounding was quite dim under the forest canopy making it difficult to photograph. Although I could only manage some records shots on the dorsal view and some close-up shots of it, I am happy to have added this species to my collection. There are many small branches and leaves surrounding the perch and when I tried to clear them away hoping to get some side view shots, it flew away and disappeared into the forest.

(Male - Tagore Forest, 040910)

Afternote : I joined the Informal Macro Outing Group at Thanggam forest yesterday. My friend, Allan Lee, found a uncommon dragonfly and knowing that I like to collect dragonflies, he kindly offer me to shoot. The surrounding was quite dim and it was difficult to identify its id there. Mr Tang later confirmed that it was a female G. Subinterrupta which looks similar to the male except for its duller colours.

(Female - Thanggam Forest, 25 Sep 2010)

Damselfly (27) - Podasineura Interrupta

2010-09-03T01:29:00.003+08:00

Family : Protoneuridae
Common Name : Interrupted Threadtail
Status : Uncommon forest species
Location : Endau-Rompin Natural Park, Malaysia

This is an uncommon damselfly that frequents dark forest streams. In Singapore, it can only be found in Central Catchment and Bukit Timah Nature Reserves but I have not seen one here yet.

(Male - Endau-Rompon National Park, 31 Aug 2010)

My first encounter with this species was at Panti forest, Malaysia but I didn't get any shots of it as I was busy shooting other species. This was my 2nd sighting and it was spotted recently at a stream in Endau-Rompin National Park.

(Side view - 31 Aug 2010)

The thorax of the male has nice bright blue bands on it as seen in the above image. The upper part of the eyes is black and blue colour at the bottom half.

(Dorsal view - 31 Aug 2010)

One way to identify this species is to check the distinctive blue dorsal markings on it abdominal segments 9-10. Also, there are two blue marks on the head near the eyes. I hope to meet one in Singapore soon.

Damselfly (26) - Dysphaea Dimidiata

2010-09-01T13:40:00.002+08:00

Family : Euphaeidae

Common Name : Black Velvetwing

Status : Extinct in Singapore

Location : Endau-Rompin National Park, Malaysia

According to the "Dragonflies of Singapore" book, this black with a slight purplish-coloured damselfly was already extinct in Singapore long ago. This was photographed during my recent trip to Endau-Rompin National Park in Eastern Malaysia. It was quite big is size and liked to perch on rocks in clear stream. This male was quite skittish and I took quite sometimes to have finally got a decent shot of it.

(Male - Endau-Rompin National Park, Malaysia - 31 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (38) - Macrodiplax Cora

2010-08-26T16:41:00.004+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Coastal Glider
Status : Common
Location : Lornie Trail

M. Cora is a middle-sized dragonfly species with a relatively large head. The male has a dark brown thorax and its abdomen is red in colour while the female has light orange-yellow thorax and abdomen. The immatured male looks similar to the female except that its colours is a little darker. Both sexes have distinguishable thick broken black marking on the upperside of the abdomen.

(Immatured male - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

Although this species is classified as common, strangely, this was my first sighting in my 3 years of chasing dragonflies. There were 2 of them perching on a dry twig quite a distance from the reservior. Occasionally, they would fight one another but returned to the same perch. An easy species to photograph.

(Frontal view - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (37) - Chalybeothemis Fluviatilis

2010-08-24T23:24:00.006+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Green-eyed Percher
Status : Uncommon
Location : Lornie Trail

This is a small and thin uncommon dragonfly which is slightly smaller than that of the Diplacodes Trivialis. As its common name suggests, both sexes have attractive green eyes. The thorax of the male is metallic dark blue colour. Accordingly to the Dragonflies of Singapore's Photographic Guide Book, the female is similar but with brown colour on the dorsum of thorax and the wing base tinted with brownish yellow.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 23 Aug 2010)

Similar to my 2 previous posts, this male was also sighted at the edges of Macritchie Reservior along Lornie Trail. A skittish species which did not allow me to go fewer than 2 metres near. I could only shoot from the walking path looking down into the reservior water where this dragonfly perched just slightly above. Even with my 1.4TC attached to a 180mm macro lens, this image was heavily cropped. I hope to get an improvement shot of the male soon and to meet the female too!

Revisited Lornie Trail during my morning off this morning (25 Aug 2010) and was rewarded with another 3 new collection of dragonflies and some improvement shots of exisitng species.

(Front view - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

(Dorsal view - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

I was excited to witness a mating pair but fortunately it lasted only for a minute or so and I was too slow to get a good shot at them.

(Mating pair - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (36) - Indothemis Limbata

2010-08-24T00:32:00.007+08:00

Family : Libelluidae

Common Name : Restless Demon
Status : Critically endangered
Location : Lornie Trail

This species is listed in the Singapore Red Data Book as critically endangered. The male is dark blue in colour with some silver markings at the last few segments of its adbomen. The colour of the female is said to be paler and is even more rare.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 23 Aug 2010)

On 23 Aug 2010, 2 males were spotted around the reservior edges along the Lornie Trail. They perched on some leaves in the middle of the water making it difficult to shoot. The above image was taken with my tripod set at the slope of the reservior edge. I had to attach my 1.4TC to get a reasonable reach to this dragonfly. Fortunately, it stayed at this perch for a long period enabled me to take some decent shots.

(Lornie Trail - 23 Aug 2010)

I revisited Lornie Trail on 25 Aug 2010 and I am glad to obtain an improvement shot of this species.

(Lornie Trail - 25 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (35) - Aethriamanta Brevipennis

2010-08-23T20:05:00.001+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Scarlet Adjudant
Status : Rare
Location : Lornie Trail

Aethriamanta BrevipennisIt is a small and short species but strongly built with broad abdomen. The male is bright red in colour which looks a little like a small version of Orthetrum Chrysis. The female is yellowish brown in colour.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 23 Aug 2010)

Today is my first encounter of this male species at Lornie Trail. It preferred to perch lowerly, about 10 -15 cm above the reservior water and it appeared to enjoy perching under the bright sunlight. As such, it is not easy to photograph and I could only manage some record shots.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 23 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (34) - Aethriamanta Gracilis

2010-08-17T00:49:00.019+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Pond Adjutant
Status : Uncommon
Location : Lornie Trail

Aethriamanta Gracilis is a small dragonfly which looks very identical to Brachydiplax Chalybea, except that it is smaller size and more open wing venation. Similarly to B. Chalybea, males are more common than females. There were about 8 to 10 nos. of male at some bushes along Lornie Trail and I think I spotted one female but I did not manage to capture it in pixel as it was flying without perching. The males were quite skittish and therefore I could only manage some record shots.

(Male - Lornie Trail, 16 Aug 2010)

(ID unknown - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

The female is said to be "yellowish brown in colour with black marking". Based on this description, the above image could be a female A. Gracilis which was spotted on 25 Aug 2010.

(Side view - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010 )

Afternote : After Mr C.Y. Choong commented that it is unlikely to be a female A. Gracilis, I wrote to Mr Tang H. B. for a second opinion. He is certain that it is not any of the Aethrianmanta species as the venation does not match. He also rules out the possibility of Trithemis festiva, judging from the markings on the thorax. As this dragonfly was about the same size of Aethrianmanta gracilis, he felt that, for this reason, it is less likely to be Indothemis limbata. However, he would not rule out this possibility as he has not seen a female Indothemis limbata himself. He added that if it is really a Indothemis limbata, then this image could be the first female photo of the species taken in Singapore! I have uploaded a side view shot (see above).

On 6 Sep 2010, I spotted 2 mating pairs but only managed to get a record shot (see right image) as dragonfly usually mates for less than a minute!

Damselfly (25) - Pseudagrion Australasiae

2010-08-16T18:18:00.007+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Look-alike Sprite
Status : Uncommon
Location : Lornie Trail

After collected more than 50% of the damselfly species in Singapore, it is getting very difficult to add new species to my collection. So, I was pleasantly surprised to spot this uncommon P. Australasiae at Lornie Trail this morning. It was drizzing at that time but that did not stop me from photographing it.

(Female - Lornie Trail, 16 Aug 2010)

The female of this species should be rarer than the male. The male looks very similar to P. Microcephalum where both are light blue in colour. P. Australasiae is slighter bigger in size than P. Microcephalum. Accordingly to Mr C.Y. Choong, the blue colour of P. Microcephalum is brighter than P. Australasiae but the ultimate confirmation on these two species is very much relied on the structure of their tail (anal appendages). Pseudagrion Microcephalum has longer anal appendages compared to P. Australasiae. I have photographed both the male and female of P. Microcephalum but I am not sure whether I have shot the male of P. Australasiae as I did not know how to differentiate these 2 species previously.

(Female closeup - Lornie Trail, 16 Aug 2010)

On 25 Aug 2010, I have finally captured a decent shot of the skittish male. Yes, it is indeed longer than P. Microcephalum and a strong flyer. Not an easy species to photograph. My next target is to shoot them mating!

(Male - Lornie Trail, 25 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (33) - Trithemis Pallidinervis (灰脈蜻蜓)

2010-08-14T20:53:00.013+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Dancing Dropwing

Status : Uncommon

Location : Dairy Farm Nature Park, Lornie Trail

This is a medium sized yellowish brown dragonfly with relatviely long legs. The male and female have similar marking. However, the face of male is metallic purple while the female is rather yellow white in colour. It likes to perch in the open with its wings nicely folded up which make it easier to photograph. It is a cooperative dragonfly and not difficult to get nice backgroung. The challenges are the harsh sunlight and strong wind.

(Female - Lornie Trail, 14 Aug 2010)

My first sighting of this elegant species was at Dairy Farm Nature Park a few months ago. I could not get any shot at that time as it was perching in the water, a distance from the board walk. I am glad to spot this species again this morning at Lornie Trail. A little disappointed as I did not handle the harsh sunlight well. I will definitely revisit Lornie Trail to get some improvement shots in the coming weeks.

(Female - Lornie Trail, 16 Aug 2010)

I revisited Lornie Trail 2 days later and I spotted about 4 to 5 nos. of this species perching near the edge of the reservior. This lighting was better this time but it was as windy. The green background in the above picture is the water, a lightly better shot, in my opinion. I shall revisit this place soon :D

Dragonfly (32) - Orthetrum Chrysis

2010-08-13T22:40:00.003+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Spine-tufted Skimmer

Status : Common
Location : Rifle Range Nature Trail, Venus Drive

This is a common and relatively unattractive dragonfly species. It is not easy to get a nice shot as they are usually quite sensitive to human. I often gave it a miss and therefore, I am not surprised that I could only found one record image in my harddisk. I shall make an effort to spend sometime on this species and get a better shot next time.

(Rifle Range Nature Trail - 22 Apr 2010)

A Book on Dragonflies of Singapore

2010-08-07T00:41:00.012+08:00

A photographic guide to the Dragonflies of Singapore was officially launched on 2 August 2010. The book is published by the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research of the National University of Singapore, and is co-authored by Tang Hung Bun, Wang Luan Keng and Matti Hämäläinen. The following is a short paragraph about the book:

"In 1854 Alfred Russel Wallace collected 30 dragonfly species from Singapore. Since then a total of 124 species have been recorded within the territorial limits of the nation, including seven new records made just in the last two years. Dragonflies of Singapore covers all these species. Informative textual accounts of all species and large, full-colour photographs of almost every species enable the reader to identify almost any dragonfly encountered in the field. This book is an essential tool to enthusiasts, naturalists and general readers who wish to learn about dragonflies. At the same time, it captures quintessentially their sublime and ephemeral beauty."

I am glad to receive a complimentary copy on 19 Aug 2010 from the Authors as I have contributed one of my damselflies photos in the book. A very well written book with nice, colourful pictures of all 124 dragonflies species. With such a quality book, it is not expensive at S$22.

If you wish to purchase a copy of the book, it is now available for order at this nature bookstore.

Dragonfly (31) - Trithemis Festiva

2010-07-28T19:43:00.014+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Indigo Dropwing
Status : Common
Location : Venus Drive

Trithemis Festiva is not really an uncommon species as I have seen them a few times at the stream near the entrance of Venus Drive. They love to perch under strong sunlight and are quite active in the late morning. Thus, getting a good shot of them is not easy. This record shot was taken more than 1.5 years ago and it is a shame that I have not been able to get improvement shots of this beauty since then.

(Venus Drive - 6 Jan 2009)

Spotted this dragonfly at a stream in Endau-Rompin National Park.

(Endau-Rompin National Park - 31 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (30) - Macrogomphus Quadratus

2010-06-05T15:51:00.008+08:00

Family : Gomphidae

Common Name : Forktail

Status : Uncommon

Location : Upper Peirce

This is an uncommon dragonfly spotted at Upper Peirce. My personal experience with hugh forest species is that they are skittish and once they flew off, they disappear and never come back. But this one was an exception. It was quite comfortable with me so long as I maintained a safe distance of about one metre. It would fly away only if I attempted to get closer. But the lucky thing was that it would come back and perch somewhere nearby.

(Upper Peirce - 5 Jun 2010)

As this was my first time seeing this species , I took as many shots as possible to make sure that I got it right. Being a large subject, the main problem was the difficulty of getting an acceptable background. I chose to use a large aperture of f5.6 & f8 for most of my shots.

(Side view)

(Doing stretching exercise)

Damselflies from Panti Forest

2010-05-15T23:14:00.021+08:00

I joined my nature photography friends to Panti Forest today. There were 15 of us, 10 doing birding while the rest of us focused on macro shooting. Panti forest is more well-known for bird watching and photography, so it was really a pleasant surprise to me that there are so many species of damselflies, many of which cannot be found in Singapore.

(Heliocypha biforata, male)

(Libellago stigmatizans, Orange-faced Gem, male)

(Heliocypha biforata, female)

(Pseudagrion pruinosum, Grey Sprite, 赤斑蟌)

(Elattoneura analis)

(Rhinagrion macrocephalum)

Dragonfly (29) - Orthetrum Glancum (黑尾灰蜻)

2010-04-23T00:17:00.005+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Common Blue Skimmer

Status : Uncommon

Location : Rifle Range Nature Trail, Dairy Farm Nature Park

Orthetrum Glaucum is a medium size dragonfly species. The males are blue in colour with a greyish at the tip of its abdomen. The females are golden yellow in colour and they are less commonly found than the males. They usually perch on messy bushes and sometimes on stones under the hot sunlight making it difficult to get nice shots. So far I have sighted them at Dairy Farm Nature Park and Rifle Range Nature Trail. Hope I can get an improvement shot soon.

(Rifle Range Nature Trail - 2010)

Dragonfly (28) - Diplacodes Trivalis (侏儒蜻蜓)

2010-03-21T14:26:00.022+08:00

Family : Libelludidae

Common Name : Chalky percher, Blue percher or Ground Skimmer

Status : Common

Location : Wild Wild West, Chestnut Ave, Jurong Woods II, Lornie Trail

This is a relatively small-sized dragonfly that usually prefers to perch lowly on grass. The male has beautiful blue eyes, a blue-grey body with black on the tail. The female has green eyes, greenish body and black markings on its tail. They are quite skittish in the day or late morning. Best time to shoot them is early in the morning while they are probably still sleeping.

(Female - Wild Wild West, 21 Mar 10)

(Female close-up - Wild Wild West, 21 Mar 10)

(Male - Wild Wild West, 8 Jun 08)

(Male close-up - Wild Wild West, 8 Jun 08)

Dragonfly (27) - Pseudothemis Jorina

2010-03-18T15:13:00.015+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Banded Skimmer

Status : Uncommon
Location : Upper Peirce, Eng Neo Ave

I have seen this uncommon black and white colour dragonfly at the forest edge of Upper Pierce. There were a few of them flewing non-stop without perching. I was surprised to see one perching quite far up at a small branch. Only managed a few lousy record shots.

(Upper Pierce - 19 Aug 2009)

I saw this dragonfly again at some bushes near Saddle Club (Eng Neo Ave) this morning. Unfortunately, the lighting was too harsh and it flew off before I could manage some improvement shots.

(Saddle Club, Eng Neo Ave - 5 May 2010)

Dragonfly (26) - Camacinia Gigantea

2010-03-17T23:21:00.010+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Sultan
Status : Rare
Location : Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Chestnut Ave

My first sighting of this dragonfly species was at Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail. I did not get any shots as it was flying non-stop. I thought, at that time, that it was a huge Neurothemis as they share similar colour and pattern. The size of this species is almost double that of Neurothemis. I spotted it again but this time at Chestnut Ave Bicycle Trail and managed some record shots.

(Male - Chestnut Ave, 23 Feb 2009)

Dragonfly (25) - Brachydiplax Chalybea

2010-02-25T18:20:00.010+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Blue Dasher
Status : Common
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Rifle Range Nature Trail, Segar Road

A relatively small-sized species commonly found in ponds. Males are blue in colour with dark patches while females are brown in colour. Female is less common than male. I have seen the female only once. By the way, I have initially thought that this is a Aethriamanta Gracilis. Both look very similar although B. Chalybea is slightly bigger in size.

(Male - Rifle Range Nature Trail, 22 Apr 10)

(Female - Segar Road, 3 Jan 2009)

Dragonfly (24) - Neurothemis Fluctuans

2010-02-23T23:20:00.009+08:00

Family : Neurothemis fluctuans
Common Name : Common Parasol
Status : Very common
Location : Almost anywhere in Singapore where there are bushes near ponds, streams, lake, reservoirs, etc.

This is easily one of the most common dragonfly species that you can find in Singapore. They are so common that most of the photographers, me included, would give it a miss when seeing them.

(Male - Venus Drive, 25 Nov 2008)

(Female - Venus Drive, 24 Oct 2009)

Dragonfly (23) - Rhyothemis Triangularis

2010-02-23T22:52:00.012+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Sapphire Flutterer
Status : Uncommon
Location : Chestnut Ave, Venus Drive, Eng Neo Ave

Rhyothemis Triangularis is an unmistakable species. The male has distinct dark metallic blue colour on its wings. Female is similar to the male but the base of its wings are darker. This uncommon male species was first sighted at Venus Drive but I gave it a miss as I had not started collecting Odonata at that time. My 2nd sighting was at Chestnut Ave. I only managed a few record shots before it flew away.

(Male - Chestnut Avenue, 2 Nov 2009)

My 3rd sighting was at Eng Neo Ave but unfortunately, I still did not get nice images of it. I have yet to meet the female. In my opinion, it is best to take from a dorsal view to show its beautiful wings. I shall do that next time.

(Male - Eng Neo Ave, 2010)

My 4th sighting of this species was at Jurong Woods II. Unfortunately, it was too sensitive to me and I could not get close to it. I was bitten by a water leeches while chasing for it! My 5th meeting was at Lornie Trail on 25 Aug 2010 and this time I managed to set a reasonable dorsal view showing the beautiful wings of this dragonfly.

(Lornie Trail - 25 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (22) - Rhyothemis Obsolescens

2010-02-23T22:28:00.010+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Bronze Flutterer
Status : Uncommon
Location : Chestnut Ave, Rifle Range Nature Trail

This species can be easily identified by its bronze wings and dark marking. Both male and female are similar in appearance. They like to perch under direct sunlight. I have only seen this dragonfly in an open marshes near Chestnut Avenue. Unfortunately, before I could get a better shot of it, the place is now under redevelopment for private residential purposes.

(Rifle Range Nature Trail - 22 Apr 2010)

My 2nd sighting of this species was at Rifle Range Nature Trail. I am glad to capture some improvement shots of it.

(Rifle Range Nature Trail - 22 Apr 2010)

Dragonfly (21) - Orthetrum Sabina

2010-02-23T12:04:00.012+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Variegated Green Skimmer
Status : Common
Location : West Coast Park, Chinese Gardens, Jurong Woods II, Toa Payoh Town Gardens.

A relatively large dragonfly species. Quite commonly found near ponds. I have seen them at many locations such as Chinese Gardens, West Coast Park, Jurong Woods II, Toa Payoh Town Gardens, etc. The appearance of the male and female is almost identical. They are usually quite skittish and not easy to photograph.

(West Coast Park - 28 Feb 2008)

Dragonfly (20) - Orthetrum Testaceum

2010-02-23T11:26:00.012+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Scarlet Skimmer
Status : Common
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Lornie Trail

(Male - Singapore Botanical Gardens)

A common dragonfly often found in ponds. Male has dark brown-coloured thorax with redish abdomen while female is brown with obscure marking. Males are more common than females. The male looks very similar to Orthetrum Chrysis.

(Mating, Singapore Botanical Gardens - 22 Jan 2008)

Dragonfly (19) - Diplacodes Nebulosa

2010-02-06T00:22:00.009+08:00

Family : Libelluidae

Common name : Black-tipped Percher

Status : Uncommon

Location : Chestnut Ave

This is a small-sized dragonfly species and I have only seen it once at Chestnue Avenue. The male is dark blue in colour with small dark patch at the tip of its wings. The female has light yellowish in colour, quite different from the male.

(Male - Chestnut Avenue, 1 Aug 09)

(Female - Chestnut Avenue, 1 Aug 2009)

(Male - Chestnut Ave, 1 Aug 2009)

Dragonfly (18) - Lathrecista Asiatica

2010-01-29T23:54:00.011+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Scarlet Grenadier
Status : Uncommon
Location : Upper Seletar Reservior, Upper Peirce, Tagore Forest

This dragonfly is classified as a common forest species but I have seen the males only at Upper Seletar Reservior and Upper Peirce. The female is less common as I have sighted once at Upper Peirce. The thorax of both sexes are dark brown in colour with yellow stripes. However the male species has a entire red abdomen while the female is brownish in colour.

(Male, Upper Pierce - 28 Jan 2010)

This males species looks quite similar to Agrionoptera Insignis. One way to differentiate is that L. Asiatica has a narrower and straight-sided abdomen.

(Side View Female - Upper Pierce, 12 July 2010)

(Front View Female - Upper Peirce, 12 July 2010)

I am happy to have captured an improvement shot of the male at Tagore Forest on 4 Sep 2010.

(Male - Tagore Forest, 4 Sep 2010)

Damselfly (24) - Prodasineura Collaris

2009-12-31T18:43:00.012+08:00

Family : Protoneuridae

Common Name : Collared Threadtails

Status : Uncommon
Location : Upper Peirce

There are 4 Proidasineura species in Singapore namely Collaris, Humeralis, Interrupta & Notostigma). The blue marking on the head and thorax of Collaris and Notostigma look similar to me and I have difficulty identifying them. My guess is that this is a Collaris based on the white or blue marking on the tip of its tail. Again, I would appreciate it if someone could confirm it.

(Upper Peirce - 31 Dec 2009)

(Side view close-up - Upper Peirce, 31 Dec 2009)

Damselfly - ID unknown

2009-12-31T18:12:00.012+08:00

This damselfly was spotted around the same area where I found the Hyalina. They look quite similar but the colour of the thorax is slightly different. My guess is that it could be a juvenile Hyalina. I would appreciate it if someone could help to confirm the id of this species.

(Upper Peirce - 2009)

Dragonfly (17) - Risiophlebia Dohrni

2009-12-21T16:21:00.008+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Triangled Small Percher
Status : Critically Endangered

Of Singapore's 124 recorded species of odonata, Risiophlebia Dohrni is one of the rarest. It is classified in the Singapore Red Data Book 2008 as a critically endangered species. This species can only be found in Upper Peirce. It is a relatively small size dragonfly with a unique unstraightened obdomen. Quite a cooperative species allowing me to take various shots.

(Upper Peirce - 21 Dec 2009)

Damselfly (23) - Libellago Aurantiaca

2009-12-09T12:07:00.022+08:00

Family : Chlorocyphidae
Common name : Fiery Gem
Status : Rare
Location : Upper Peirce, Endau Rompin National Park

Libellago is the most unique genus in Singapore with its wings longer than the body. They are rare, beautiful and require pristine habitat. Their behaviour is fascinating too. There are only three Libellago species in Singapore checklist, one of which (Libellago Stigamtizans) is already extinct here.

(Upper Peirce - 7 Dec 2009)

Although Libellago Aurantiaca is less rarer that Hyalina (see my previous post), it is my most wanted species to photograph. I pariticularly like its vibrant colour of red and yellow and I have been searching for more than a year. So you can imagine how happy I was when I finally saw one at Upper Pierce, the same place where I shot the Hyalina. They love to perch lowerly, just above the water making it difficult to get a good angle. I only managed a good record shot. I have visited this place many times subsequently but this beautiful damselfly could not be found anymore.

Afternote : I finally got an improvement shot of this species but in Singapore. This was taken at a swift flowing stream at Endau Rompin National Park.

(Endau Rompin National Park - 3 Oct 2010)

Damselfly (22) - Libellago Hyalina

2009-12-09T11:32:00.013+08:00

Family : Chlorocyphidae
Common name : Clearwing Gem
Status : Critically Endangered
Location : Upper Peirce

Libellago Hyalina is a very rare damselfly. Upper Pierce is the only place where this species has been sited. It is therefore classified as critically endangered species. According to Mr Tang Hung Bun, an expert in Singapore Odonata, the common name of this species should be Clearwing Gem instead of Hyaline Jewel which was wrongly used by some people.

Libellago Hyalina is a confusing species because it has several colour forms for both male and female. It is not clear how many colour forms they actually have. The images below are some colour forms captured so far. There could be other colour forms that we are not aware of.

(Male, steel blue form - 3 Dec 2009)

(Male, glowing purple form - 5 Dec 2009)

(Female, grey form - 5 Dec 2009)

(Younger Female, orange form - 3 Dec 2009)

(Younger female, brown form - 7 Dec 2009)

Damselfly (21) - Mortonagrion Arthuri

2009-10-27T12:06:00.018+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Arthur's Midget
Status : Rare
Location : Pulau Ubin

This damselfly species was first spotted on 11 Sep 2009 during a macro outing at Pulau Ubin. There were about 4 males and a female perching near the edge of the mangrove swamp. I only managed some record shots of them as I did not stay long due to too many mosquitoes attacking me.

(Male - Pulau Ubin, 26 Oct 2009)

When I sent the images to Mr Tang Bun Hung for idenitification, he said that he has only seen this species in mangrove areas in Singapore. As for male Mortonagrion arthuri, he has only seen a specimen soaked in alcohol, collected in traps by Dr Patrick Grootaert in Singapore earlier this year. Although he was confident with his initial indentification, upon his request, I bought him to Pulau Ubin on 26 Oct 09 to further study this species. His identification is correct.

(Female - Pulau Ubin, 26 Oct 2009)

(Female close-up - Pulau Ubin, 26 Oct 2009)

Dragonfly (16) - Pantala Flavescens

2009-10-21T19:02:00.006+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Globe Skimmer (or Wandering Glider)
Status : Common
Location : Wild Wild West, Hort Park

(Wild Wild West, 10 Oct 2009)

Damselfly (20) - Archibasis Melanocyana

2009-09-16T18:16:00.007+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common name : Blue-nosed Sprite
Status : Rare
Location : Chestnut Ave

I went to Chestnut Ave to search for the unique Lestes Praemorsus Decipiens on 1 Aug 2009. I did not find it but I saw this rare species instead. I did not know that it was rare at that time and I did not make an effort to get some good shots. Sadly, this place is destroyed and is under redevelopment for a condomium.

(Chestnut Ave, 1 Aug 2009)

Dragonfly (15) - Unidentified dragonfly

2009-09-13T18:51:00.009+08:00

This cooperative dragonfly was spotted at Pulau Ubin. It perched on a twig about 20 metres from a seashore directly under the hot sun. This was my first time seeing this species. I searched the internet for its ID but couldn't manage to find. I had to email to Mr Tang Hung Bun to request his assistance. His initial indentification is that it is probably an aged female Pornothemis starrei. After consulting his friend, they are of the opinion that it could be a new discovery.

(Pulau Ubin - 12 Sep 2009)

On 26 Oct 09, I brought Mr Tang Hung Bun & 2 officers from National Parks to Pulau Ubin to search for this dragonfly as they need more inforation in order to confirm the ID. Unfortunately, we could not find it at the location where I found this species previously.

(Side view)

(Dorsal View)

Damselfly (19) - Lestes praemorsus (隱紋絲蟌)

2009-09-09T20:54:00.014+08:00

Family : Lestidae
Common name : Scalloped Spreadwing
Status : Uncommon
Location : Lornie Trail, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Chestnut Ave

Lestes Praemorsus is an uncommon species, first recorded in Singapore in 1997. It is known to be occured only in Macrichite Reservior. It is a medium-sized species which rests with its wings half-open. It has a unique hockey stick-shaped rather than straight obdomen.

(Chestnut Ave - 2 Nov 2009)

I went to Macrichite Reservior to search for this beautiful damselfly on 2 occasions but could not locate it. When Dairy Farm Nature Reserve Park was officially opened on 5 Sep 09, a picture of this mating damselfly was featured the next day in the Sunday Times. I went to Dairy Farm to try my luck and I was glad to have spotted a female perching just above the water at the Quarry. I could only take a record shot of it from a distance as we are not allowed to go down to the water. I hope it could perch in a better place during my next visit so that I could take an improvement shot.

(Lornie Trail - 14 Aug 2010)

I read that this species has since been found in several other places such as Pulau Tekong Reservior, Upper Seletar Reservior, etc. My friend, Eddy Lee, had recently photographed one at Chestnut Avenue. He told me the exact location where he found this species and I am happy to get a slightly improvement shot of it.

I saw this species photographed by a new found friend, Federick Ho, at Lornie Trail. He directed me on where to find this species. I went there on 14 Aug 2010 and there were about 8 nos. perching lowly along the edges of Macrichite Reservior. Got some shots but still plenty of rooms for improvement.

On 6 Sep 2010, I was happy to spot a mating pair where the female was laying its eggs into the water.

Dragonfly (14) - Rhyothemis Phyllis

2009-08-24T18:54:00.010+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Yellow-Barred Flutterer
Status : Common
Location : Holland Woods, Chinese Gardens, Jurong Woods II, Kranji Nature Trail, Chestnut Ave, Lornie Trail

This is a common dragonfly species and is easily recognisable by it back and yellow markings on its wings. A beautiful dragonfly that prefers to perch on very thin leaves or stems making it quite difficult to photograph as a slight breeze would cause the perch to swing resulting in motion blur.

(Holland Woods - 22 Aug 2009)

Damselfly (18) - Prodasineura Humeralis

2009-08-13T16:01:00.011+08:00

Family : Protoneuridae
Common Name : Orange-striped Threadtail
Status : Uncommon
Location : Chestnut Ave

Despite being a common species in Malaysia, this forest damselfly was recorded for the first time in Singapore at Chestnut area in Oct 2006. So I was glad to have spotted this uncommon species at a stream along Chestnut Avenue Bicycle Trail on 4 Oct 2009. Not a difficult species to get close and it often returned to the same perch. But I observed that it preferred to perch very lowly just above the water surface of the fast moving stream making it tiring and difficult to get a good angle shot. The lighting was also not ideal as it usually chose a shaded perch. The colour of the male is generally dark brown from head to tail with some orange markings on its abdominal segment.

(Male - Chestnut Ave, 6 Oct 2009)

There were about 3 males in the steam when I revisited the place on 6 Oct 09. A female was spotted about 30 metres away from the stream. It has duller brown in colour with white marking on its abdomen. Initially, I thought it was a species that I had photographed before and as it was already quite late, I just took about 4 record shots and left. I regretted after I realised that it was a female of this species which reportedly is more uncommon than the males. I shall visit the place again to get an improvement shot.

(Female - Chestnut Ave, 6 Oct 2009)

Newly Emerged Damselfly - ID unknown!

2009-06-05T12:22:00.005+08:00

Damselflies lay their eggs in the water. The eggs hatch within a few days and the larvae grow quickly. The larva (about 2cm long) live in water and can molt up to 15 times during its growth. When the larva is fully developed, it moves to exposed rocks or plants where it prepares for the final stage of molting. The emergence may take about one hour. The picture below shows a newly emerged damselfly (ID unknown) from the last molting. It was taken at the same place when I photographed my previous 2 species of damselflies. Its body was soft and the body colour was not normal yet. It was weak and could not fly properly. It usually takes a day or two for its skin and wings to harden.

(Bukit Timah Cycling Trail - 30 May 2009)

Damselfly (17) - Teinobasis Ruficollis

2009-06-04T20:08:00.004+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common name : Red-tailed Sprite
Status : Rare
Location : Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Venus Drive

This rare forest species was spotted on the same day as the Slender Midget (see previous post) around the same area. As I was focusing on the Slender Midget, I managed only a record shot of it. I went back to the same place again 4 days later hoping to get some improvement shots. My wish came true! It was spotted it again a few months later but this time at Venus Drive.

(Bukit Timah Cycling Trail - 4 Jun 2009)

Damselfly (16) - Amphicnemis gracilis

2009-06-01T23:59:00.013+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common name : Will-o-wisp
Status : Uncommon
Location : Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Upper Peirce, Upper Seletar Reservior

This is a swamp forest species and a new record for Singapore in 1997. It has very slim but long tail.

(Very Young Female, Orange Form - Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, 30 May 09)

The above image should be a very young female with strong orange thorax, yellow eyes & wings. When it gets a little older, it would change into bright red colours (see below). Eye colours would change too.

(Inmature Female, Red Form - Upper Pierce, 14 Nov 09)

When it is fully matured, it would change again into green-olive colour (see below). The males are less attractive with a dark metallic green thorax and it is less common than the female. I have yet to see one (see picture here).

(Matured Female, Olive-Green Form - Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail)

(Matured female closed up)

(Very young female, close-up)

Dragonfly (13) - Ictinogomphus Decoratus Melaenops

2009-03-02T03:45:00.004+08:00

Family : Gomphidae
Common Name : Common Flangetail
Status : Common
Location : West Coast Park, Venus Drive, Lornie Trail, Rifle Range Nature Trail, Singapore Botanical Gardens

(Venus Drive, 25 Feb 2009)

This is one of the biggest dragonflies (about 12 cm long) that I have seen in Singapore, easily 4 times the size of Asian Pintail (see previous post). It is classified as a very common species but I would consider it relatively common as I have spotted them only 4 or 5 times so far. I first spotted it at West Coast Park and recently at a slow-moving open stream in Venus Drive. It has a aggresive look maybe due to its huge size and certainly not an easy species to get close. The nearest distance that I was able to shoot was more than a metre away but fortunately, it often returned to the same twig where it perched.

On 13 Sep 2010, I finally got an improvement shot of this giant dragonfly.

(Singapore Botanical Gardens - 13 Sep 2010)

Dragonfly (12) - Acisoma Panorpoides (錐腹蜻蜓)

2009-03-01T17:57:00.013+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Asian Pintail
Status : Common

This is a relatively small species commonly found in shrub-dominated streams, canals, drains, ponds, etc. The female is greenish grey in colour while the male has black & white body with attractive blue eyes. I have seen them in the grass patches near Holland Woods and a steam near Segar Road sometime in Mid June 08. On both occasions, I had difficulty getting near to them and did not manage to get good shots. It was almost a year later on 9 May 09 when I revisited Holland Woods, did I manage to get some improvement shots of the male. It was at 7.30 am and this male was probably fast asleep allowing me to go very near to capture some close-up shots as well.

(Male - Holland Woods, 9 May 2009)

(Female - Holland Woods, 30 Mar 2010)

In Mar 2010, I was lucky again to find a sleeping female at Holland Woods. It was pretty early in the morning and there were some dews on its body giving it a refleshing look.

(Holland Woods - 20 Mar 2010)

Damselfly (15) - Copera marginipes [黃狹扇蟌]

2009-02-21T22:08:00.008+08:00

Family : Platycnemidae
Common name : Yellow Featherlegs
Status : Common
Location : Chestnut Ave, Segar Road, Venus Drive, Jurong Woods II

This is classified as a common species but not many of us have seen or phogographed it in Singapore. The male has beautiful yellowish thorax, a black obdomen with white marking on it.

(Male - Chestnut Avel, 4 Aug 2009)

The male was first spotted at a stream near Venus Drive but I did not manage to get any shot as it was difficult to approach. Two males were seen perching in a drain near Segar Road few week later. I managed to get some record shots but was still unable to get closer to it. I finally captured a better shot when I found the male again at a stream along Chestnut Avenue Bicycle Trail. This time, the female which has an overall black thorax and obdomen was also found nearby.

(Female - Chestnut Avenue, 4 Aug 2009)

When I revisited the place again 2 day later, a juvenile was found. It has a unique overall white in colour.

(Juvenile - Chestnut Ave, 6 Aug 2009)

(Mating - Chestnut Ave, 26 Aug 2009)

My recent sighting of this species where the juvenile, male, female as well as 2 mating pairs were spotted at a small muddy stream at Jurong Woods II on 21 Aug 2010.

2009-02-21T11:52:00.004+08:00

Dragonfly (11) - Orthetrum luzonicum [呂宋蜻蜓]
Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Luzon Skimmer

(Male, Segar Road - 3 Jan 09)

Female (Venus Drive, 19 Apr 08)

A common species which are usually found in exposed marshes, around ponds and open streams. Females are yellowish in colour while males have overall blue in colour including its eyes. Both are relatively easy to approach and photographed.

(Mating - Venus Drive, 6 Jan 09)

Note: The close-up shot of Diplacodes trivialis was removed on 25 Feb 10 as it was wrongly posted here.

Dragonfly (10) - Agrionoptera Insignis

2009-02-21T11:33:00.010+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Grenadier
Status : Common

This is classified as an uncommon species but I have seen them on many occasions such as Venus Drive, West Coast Park, Rifle Rifle Range Nature Trail, Jurong Woods, Jurong Woods II, Wild Wild West, etc. Generally,k, they are usually found in sluggish streams & shady drains. Quite a common species in my opinion.

(Male - Venus Drive, 25 Feb 2009)

The male has a a prominent red obdomen while the female is thicker and duller in colour. A very cooperative species which usually perches around the same spot for a prolonged period.

(Female - Venus Drive, 15 Jan 2009)

(Male closeup - West Coast Park, 31 Jan 2009)

Damselfly (14) - Ischnura Senegalensis [青紋細蟌]

2009-02-20T22:53:00.007+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Common Bluetail
Status : Very Common
Location : Holland Woods, Kranji Nature Trail, Wild Wild West, etc.

(Mating with bright orange female - Holland Woods, 3 Mar 2008)

This is the 2nd most common damselfly species in Singapore. Similar to Bi-coloured damselfly, they are usually found around ponds, drains, lakes, canals, etc. The male is greenish blue in colour but the female occurs in several colour forms, including one with overall bright orange, another with dull olive colour and also one similar like the male.

(Mating with dull olive female - Holland Woods, 25 Jan 2010)

(Mating with a female that has similar colour of the male - Holland Woods, 7 Feb 2010)

Damselfly (13) - Ceriagrion Cerinorubellum [彩虹細蟌]

2009-02-20T21:26:00.008+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Ornate Coraltail or Bi-coloured Damsel
Status : Very Common
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Holland Woods, Wild Wild West, Jurong Woods, Kranji Nature Trail, etc.

(Venus Drive, 16 Sep 2009)

This beautiful damselfly is the most common species in Singapore. They can be easily found in many of our parks particularly around ponds, drains, canal, open streams, etc. They could also be found in our forested areas.

(Singapore Botanical Gardens, 29 Oct 2008)

They are relatively big in size and I have seen them, on a few occasions, attacking and feeding on other species of smaller damselflies. Both sexes have similar appearance except that the female has slightly darker marking.

Being common and having a colourful body, they are also the most photographed species. They are quite approachable and get a close-up shot is fairly easy.

Dragonfly (9) - Tyriobapta torrida

2009-02-20T15:24:00.002+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Treehugger
Status : Common
Location : Venus Drive

Female - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008

This tree-hugging dragonfly is a common forest species. Both sexes likes to hug tree trunks especially the female. The males can be found perching in dark shady streams as well. The female is light brown in colour with nice pattern on its obdomen while the male has quite a difference appearance. It is dark blue in colour with large black patch at the base of both wings. When they are perching on tree trunks, it is quite easy to photograph as they always come back to the same spot. And with the tree trunks, one would not need to worry too much of the winds.

Male - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008)

Damselfly (12) - Devadatta Argyoides

2009-02-17T11:31:00.004+08:00

Family : Amphipterygidae
Common Name : Malayan Grisette
Status : Uncommon
Location : Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Dairy Farm Nature Park

Male - Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, 18 Feb 2009

This uncommon damselfly was first spotted on the same day as the Drepanosticta quadrata species less than 2 metres away. They seemed to be happy sharing the same territory although accasionally they bumped into one another and had a brief fight. Both will stay at a position for a long time and it was not a problem approaching them. I read that, in Singapore, this species was spotted only at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which is not true as 2nd sighting was at Dairy Farm Nature Park. This species usually prefers to perch near clear forest streams.

Male - Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, 16 Feb 2009

Unlike other species, it has quite dull colour from head to tail making it difficult to spot in dimly lit streams. The males are greyish in colour while the females are more towards brown in colour.

Damselfly (11) - Drepanosticta Quadrata

2009-02-16T18:43:00.005+08:00

Family : Platystictidae

Common name : Singapore Shadowdamsel
Status : Uncommon
Location : Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Upper Peirce

(Upper Peirce, 18 Nov 2009)

This is a uncommon damselfly that is generally found in primary forest near small streams. According to Singaporre references, this species is known only from Singapore. So I am happy to have spotted this local species perching lowly in a clear stream near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It was a narrow stream with lot of rocks it in making it difficult to set up my tripod. Fortunately, the water was shadow and clean and with reasonably good lighting, I managed to get some decent shots. It is a cooperative species to photograph. I spotted this species a few months later in Upper Peirce forest.

(Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, 16 Feb 2009)

Damselfly (10) - Argiocnemis Rubescens

2009-02-15T21:01:00.018+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Variable Sprite
Status : Uncommon
Location : Venus Drive

This is another confusing species because of its age related colour variation. According to Mr Tang, the immature of both sexes, the segments 1-5 of the abdomen are orange to cherry red abdomen but this darkens with maturity and the coloration is predominately black and light blue. This species has unique upper part of eye black with lower part green. I am still not very sure how to differentiate the male from the female.

(Immature female - Venus Drive, 10 Jan 2009)

Immature female - The abdomen darkened from segments 5-7, segments 2-4 remain red. Colours of abdomen lighter than those of the young male, segments 8-9 do not become light blue. Synthorax changes from light yellow to yellow and it does not change to light blue as in the young male.

(Mature female - Venus Drive, 13 Jul 2009)

Mature female - Abdominal segments 1-7 are black on dorsum, blue ventrally; segments 8-9 black with tiny patch of blue on the side of segment 8. Synthorax blue and black with yellow; two narrow blue banks on the dorsum.

(Immature male - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008)

Immature male - Abdomen dark from segments 5-7, segments 2-4 remain red, while 8-9 change from light red to light blue. Synthorax is black and blue colour.

(Mature - Venus Drive, 18 Jul 2009)

Mature male - Abdominal segments 1-3 black ondorsum with blue ventrally; segments 4-7 black; segments 8-9 blue. Synthorax blue and black.

(Immature female? - Venus Drive, June 2009)

My guess of the above damselfly should be an immature female. Please drop me a comment if you think otherwise.

(Immature male, close-up side view - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008)

(Mature female, close-up side view - Venus Drive, 28 Dec 2008)

Reference : A photographic guide to the Dragonflies of Singapore.

Dragonfly (8) - Trithemis Aurora (紫紅蜻蜓)

2009-02-15T14:16:00.002+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Crimson Dropwing
Status : Very Common
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Segar Road, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Holland Woods, etc.

(Female - Holland Wood, 27 Dec 2007)

This Dawn Dropwing species is one of the most common dragonflies than can be found near ponds, open streams and lakes. They are very attractive looking and easily noticeable. The female has bright orange colour while the male is deep pink in colour. They are very quite easy to approach and usually not a problem to get some close-up shots.

(Male - Singapore Botanical Gardens, 6 Aug 2008)

(Male close-up - Venus Drive, 19 Feb 2008)

(Female close-up - Singapore Botanical Gardens, 27 Dec 2007)

Damselfly (9) - Onychargia atrocyana (藍彩細蟌)

2009-02-14T22:44:00.002+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Shorttail
Status : Uncommon
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Holland Woods

(Female - Holland Woods, 2 Jul 2008)

This uncommon damselfly is also known as the Shorttail in Singapore. Not too sure how it got this common name as I don't recall that it has shorttail!.. Anyway, the male looks almost black in colour while the female has brown coloured thorax with creamy white stripes. A mating pair was first spotted at Singapore Botanical Gardens more than half year ago. Unfortunately it was not well taken as I just started learning photography at that time. A few months later in Jul 2008, a female was found at Holland Wood and it was fairly cooperative allowing me to take some close-up shots. I have not seen them since then.

(Female close-up - Holland Woods, 2 Jul 2008)

(A record shot of a mating pair - Singapore Botanical Gardens, 21 Jan 2008)

Dragonfly (7) - Crocothemis Servilia (猩紅蜻蜓)

2009-02-14T19:33:00.001+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Common Scarlet
Status : Common
Location : Holland Woods, Jurong Woods II, Sungei Buroh Wetland Reserve

(Male - Holland Woods, 8 Nov 2008)

The Crocothemis servilia dragonfly is quite widespread in Singapore. The male has an overall striking red colour while the female is yellow in colour. They are quite big in size and are commonly found in Holland Wood, Sungei Buroh Wetland Reserve, etc.

(Female - Holland Woods, 12 Oct 2008)

(Male - Holland Woods, 26 Mar 2008)

Damselfly (8) - Pseudagrion Microcephalum

2009-02-14T13:03:00.007+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Blue Sprite
Status : Common
Location : Singapore Botanical Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Lornie Trail

(Male - Lornie Trail, 23 Aug 2010)

This blue sprite damselfly is a beautiful species which is commonly found in ponds and open streams. The male is characterised by an overall bright light blue colour with black stripes on its thorax. The female is light brown with obscure greenish markings. The males are more commonly seen than the females.

(Female - Dairy Farm Nature Park, 25 Apr 2010)

Surprisingly, despite such a common and attractive species, I don’t see many of us photographing it. The reasons could be that they are not an easy species to approach and their habits of perching very lowly in the streams making it difficult to shoot. I personally have seen them many times in Singapore Botanical Gardens and Jurong lakes but have ignored them until recently when I decided to make an effort to shoot it when I spotted many of them in a small stream at Venus Drive. I was lucky to find a mating pair but didn’t have a good shot as the ground and lighting conditions were not ideal.

(Mating pair - Venus Drive, 13 Feb 2009)

(Male closeup - Venus Drive, 13 Feb 2009)

My recent sighting of this species was at Lornie Trail where there are plenty of them. I was fortunate to capture a mating pair at the edge of the nearby reservior.

(Mating pair - Lornie Trail, 16 Aug 2010)

Dragonfly (6) - Orchithemis Pulcherrima

2009-02-09T23:12:00.017+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : Variable Sentinel

Status : A common forest species (Red form are more common than blue form)
Locatin : Upper Seletar Reservior, Upper Peirce, Sime Track

This is a relatively small forest dragonfly. The males have many colour forms. The red form male is one of the most common forest dragonflies. My first sighting was at a small stream perching on a hanging branch on 8 Feb 09 at about 3 pm. The breeze, the thin perch as well as the low light condition made it difficult to get a sharp image. I was fortunate to spot another one at Sime Track on 19 Feb 09 in the morning and this time it was resting on a firm branch allowing me to take a better shot of it.

(Male, Red Form - Sime Track, 19 Feb 2009)

The females also have different colour forms. The following images are some of the colour forms. I have yet to see the red colour form of the female which is said to be rare.

(Female, brownish abdomen - Venus Drive, 22 Jul 09

According to Mr Choong, the following dragonfly looks like a female Orchithemis pulcherrima - a blue form. He said "I have seen red form female O. pulcherrima of young to very matured ones. The colour of very matured female red pulcherrima is not as black as this. Furthermore, there is a trace light colour on the S2-3. So, I personal think it could be a blue form female O. pulcherrima."

(Female, Blue form - Upper Peirce)

(Female, blue form - side view)

(Female, dark form - Lornie Trail, 1 June 2011)

Damselfly (7) - Prodasineura Notostigma

2009-02-09T21:31:00.002+08:00

Family : Protoneuridae
Common Name : Crescent Threadtail
Status : Common Forest Species
Location : Upper Seletar Reservoir

(Upper Seletar Reservoir, 8 Feb 2009)

This is a common forest damselfly that can be found near slow moving streams. It was first sighted at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. There were quite a no. of them. A very cooperative species that stay on a perch at long period. Getting close-up shot of them them is not an issue.

(Upper Seletar Reservoir, 8 Feb 2009)

Damselfly (6) - Archibasis Viola

2009-02-06T23:08:00.006+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae

Common Name : Violet Sprite

Status : Uncommon

Location : Venus Drive

This is an uncommon violet blue damselfly found at Venus Drive near the forest edge. It was not easy to get near to this species. I had spotted it twice at the same location late 2008 and could only manage a few whole body shots. Spotted it again in a stream on 13 Feb 2009 and I was fortunate to have a close-up shot this time although it was not of the best quality. I have not been able to spot this species elsewhere so far.

(Venus Drive - 25 Feb 2009)

(Venus Drive, 14 Nov 2008)

(Venus Drive, 13 Feb 2009)

Dragonfly (5) - Cratilla Metallica

2009-02-06T14:29:00.004+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Dark-tipped Forest Skimmer
Status : Common forest species
Location : Venus Drive, Jurong Woods, Jurong Woods II, Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, Chestnut Ave, etc.

This is quite a large dragonfly and are commonly found in forested areas. The male has a metallic blue thorax and dark blue abdomen with light blue bands near its abdominal base. The females are less commonly seen which has attractive metallic turqoish abdomen. This species is easily recognised by its dark patch at the tip of its wings.

(Male - Jurong Woods, 28 Nov 2009)

My first encounter of this species was a male at Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail but I did not manage to capture it in pixel. My 2nd sighting of the male was at Jurong Woods. It was cooperative this time and I was able to take some decent shots.

(Female - Venus Drive, 4 Feb 2009)

I was happy to find a female of the species at Venus Drive in Feb 2009. It was perching on a dry twig in the late morning near a stream. It is not difficult to spot as its metallic turqoise body makes it stands out from the dull surrounding. It was relatively easy to get close but the ground condition with lots of dry leaves and fallen branches made it difficult to get a better composition. In my view, the female looks more attractive to me.

(Female side view - Venus Drive, 4 Feb 2009)

Dragonfly (4) - Tholymis Tillarga

2009-02-05T15:33:00.002+08:00

Family : Libellulidae

Common Name : White-barred Duskhawk
Status : Common
Location : Venus Drive, Upper Peirce, Macritchie Nature Trail

This is a common forest dragonfly. The male body is reddish in colour including adbomen. Both wings are transparent with the high wing with white and brown on the base. The female is less attractive with yellowish in colour and its hind wings have translucent brown near the base.

(Male - Venus Drive, 21 Jan 2009)

A good time to photograph this species is during morning and early afternoon when they are less active and are usually seen hanging on to the side twigs. It is not difficult to get close to it but once you scare them off, they are unlikely to come back on the same perch or in the vincinity.

(Male & Female - Macritchie Nature Trail, 29 Jan 2009)

Damselfly (5) - Agriocnemis Femina

2009-01-14T22:26:00.008+08:00

Family : Coenagrionidae
Common Name : Variable Wisp
Status : Common
Location : Segar Road, Toa Payoh Town Gardens, Jurong Woods, Holland Woods

This is a tiny damselfly about 22mm in size. It is the smallest damselfly species that I have seen in Singapore, so far. A confusing species because of colour changes with maturity.

(Female - Segar Road, Jan 2009)

The immature male is green and orange but on maturity it becomes dark with heavy pruinescence on the head and synthorax. Females is red in colour.

(Immature male - Segar Road, Jan 2009)

This species usually perch lowly on grass and it was quite difficult getting a parallel shot. Also, they are not easy to get close. The best time to photograph them is early in the morning when they are less active.

(Mature male - Holland Woods, 14 Mar 2009)

Afternote: The smallest damselfly is A. Nano which was spotted at Lornie Trail on 15 Sep 2010. A very young female A. Femina (see below) was also sighted on this day.

(Very young female - 15 Sep 2010)

Damselfly (4) - Podolestes Orientalis

2009-01-14T00:02:00.005+08:00

Family : Megapodagrionidae)

Common Name : Flatwings
Status : Common forest species
Location : Venus Drive, Macritchie Nature Trail

The Podolestes orientalis is a common forest damselfly. It was first recorded in Singapore in 1997 and commonly known as the Flatwings Damselfly. It is moderately built which likes to perch with its wings open up like a dragonfly.

(Male - Venus Drive, 5 Nov 2008)

I first spotted it perching on a twig in the middle of in a small muddy pool of water. Looking from about a metre away, I had actually mistaken it as a dragonfly because of its flat wings and relatively bigger than the normal damselfly. It was not easy to set my tripod in the muddy water and quite difficult to move around as the surrounding area is small. Fortunately, the subject was cooperative which allowed me to get some close-up shots. As expected, the lighting in the forest was not ideal and since this was the first time that I was shooting under such poor light condition, I had quite a difficulty photographing it and I just tried my luck by trial and error.

(A shot showing the flat wings)

I initially thought it was a uncommon species but when I explored more into the various forest, I realised that they are actually quite common.

(Side view close-up shot)

(Mating - Venus Drive, 18 Jul 2009)

Dragonfly (3) - Gynacantha Dohrni

2009-01-12T13:19:00.003+08:00

Family : Aeshnidae
Common Name : Spear-tail Duskhawker
Status : Uncommon
Location : Venus Drive

This is an uncommon forest dragonfly. It was first recorded in Singapore in 1979 and sequenetly in 2005. It is relatively large in size with attractive green eyes and thorax.

(Male - Venus Drive, 4 Jan 2009)

I first found it in Venus Drive in Jan 2009 at a waterless stream filled with lots of dry leaves and branches. It likes to perch low on twigs, below an observer's eye-level making it difficult to photograpy. I usually see them in the late afternoon after 4 pm onwards hanging on lowly at dry branches. It was not easy to get near to this species and I could only manage some record shots. As at Aug 2010, I have not seen it for more than a year!

(Side view - Venus Drive, 4 Jan 2009)

Damselfly (3) - Coeliccia Octogesima

2009-01-05T17:31:00.001+08:00

Family : Platycnemidae
Common Name : Telephone Sylvan
Status : Common forest species
Location : Venus Drive, Upper pierce, Rifle Range Nature Trail

The Coeliccia octogesima is a common forest species. Unlike most damselflies that I've seen, it has a thin body and held its wings apart instead of holding them together vertically. This male species is easily identified by the two telephone shape from the dorsal view of its thorax. The female is similar to the male but the telephone shape is less well defined.

(Venus Drive, 4 Feb 2009)

I first spotted it on 26 Dec 2008 perching very lowly on small patch of grass making it difficult to photograph the side view. I found a mating pair in Feb 09 but it soon separated and perched on a thin branch in small dark stream but it was high enough this time to have a classic side view shot.

(Venus Drive, 4 Feb 2009)

This is one of the most cooperative species that I have seen and I have no problem getting a dorsal close-up view.

Dragonfly (2) - Nannophya Pygmaea [小紅蜻蜓]

2009-01-05T10:26:00.008+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common name : Pygmy Dragonfly
Status : Common
Location : Lornie Trail, Rifle Range Nature Trail, Chestnut Ave, Upper Peirce

(Not fully Matured Male - Chestnut Ave, 4 Jan 2009)

Nannophya pygmaea (or pypmy) is one of the smallest dragonflies species in the world and certainly the smallest dragonfly that can be found in Singapore. It has a total length of approximately 15mm long and a wingspan of only about 20mm.

(Mature Male - Rifle Range Nature Trail, 20 Feb 2010)

The mature male (above pictures) is almost entire red particularly on its eyes and body. The immature males is yellowish brown in colour (see below). The female's abdomen has bands of brown and white.

They are very cooperative and photographing them is relatively easy. The challenge is to get a uniform background and a good angle having its wings not covering their faces which I didn't quite manage to do it for these 3 images. I have seen the female but I have yet to get any shot of it yet.

(Immature male - Chestnut Ave, 4 Jan 2009)

Dragonfly (1) - Agrionoptera Sexlineata

2009-01-03T22:45:00.001+08:00

Family : Libellulidae
Common Name : Handsome Grenadier
Status : Uncommon
Location : Venus Drive, Macritchie Nature Trail

This colourful species is a rare forest dragonfly which I spotted while on my way to search for the metallic green damselfly. It is one of the most beautiful dragonflies that I have sen so far. The male has blue, black and red segments of abdomen. The thorax of both sexes is deep metallic green with three yellow stripes on the sides. The female is slightly larger with orange colour of 6-7 segments of its obdomen.

(Male - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008)

Unlike other forest dragonflies which often perch on shady or darker areas, the male of this species seems to prefer on bright open space. They usually come out in the afternoon and lighting was not an issue. They are also quite cooperative and I have little problems shooting them.

(Female - Venus Drive, 6 Jan 2009)

(Male, front view - Venus Drive, 29 Dec 2008)

Damselfly (2) - Vestalis Amethystina

2009-01-03T21:54:00.003+08:00

Family : Calopterygidae
Common Name :
Status : Common forest species
Location : Venus Drive, Rifle Range Nature Trail, Upper Peirce, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail, etc

This metallic green species is classified as a common forest damselfly but not many of us have seen it or photographed it. I saw my friend, Yi Xiong, captured in June last year at Chestnut Path and since then, it has been on my wish list. I am happy to have finally added it into my damesfly collection which was first spotted at Venus Drive.

(Venus Drive, 16 Sep 09)

What is so unique about this species is that it has one of the most attractive wings. Depending on viewing angle and reflecting sunlight, the clear wings of this damselfly can appear to sparkle with purplish blue colour. It is larger than the common damselflies with big broad wings.

(Rifle Range Nature Trail, 11 Feb 2009)

It was quite skittish and difficult to get close to it. I really had a hard time chasing it up from the bushes and down to a small dark stream and vice verse several times. Easily one of my most tiring shoots that I have experienced. It was also not easy to set up my tripod in the stream and the poor lighting did not help. Despite all my efforts, these are the only decent shots that I managed to capture.

(Side view close-up - Venus Drive, 27 Dec 2008)

Damselfly (1) - Euphaea Impar

2009-01-02T22:45:00.007+08:00

Family : Euphaeidae
Common Name : Blue-sided Satinwing
Status : Uncommon
Locatin : Venus Drive, Rifle Range Nature Trail

(Venus Drive, 30 Dec 2008)

This is an uncommon forest damselfly first spotted in Venus Drive. The male is characterised by its bright blue colour at side of thorax, and broad dark patch at the tip of the hind wing. The female is less attractive with dull olive thorax. This species like to perch on dried twigs or branches half meter above partially-shaded forest streams, sometimes as high as above 3 metres. The males are more commonly seen than the females.

Female (Venus Drive, 27 May 2009)

I have seen the male at least 3 times around the same areas that I photographed the metallic green damselfly (Vestalis amethystina) but never had the chance to go near, not even a record shot. The reason is that once it flew off, it is very hard to spot where it next landed because of its dark-coloured body which blends nicely in the low-light surrounding. I saw it for the 4th time and I was determined at get a better shot. I decided to fix on my 1.4 Teleconvertor this time and got into the stream very carefully. I tried not to create any noise each time I stepped into the water, which may scare away the damsel (based on past 3 encounters). Soon I was one metre away from the damsel and I took many record shots.

(Male side view close-up - Venus Drive, 30 Dec 2008)

When I had enough of it, I moved closer. To my surprise, the damsel liked me and allowed me to take various close-up shots. The only problem was that I had little room to move around to adjust the composition or get parallel to it as the stream is narrow and the difficulty in placing the tripod. Anyway, I got the shots I wanted and went home happy.

(Female, close-up - 27 May 2009)