Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum)

OTHER NAMES: Common Blue Skimmer

Latin Etymology: Orthetrum (?) glaucum ("blue-grey")

Adult Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: 100-140mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fairly common resident of tropical and subtropical Asia, it is a species which is capable of living in disturbed habitat and so is fairly successful.  It seems to be fairly variable, as while trying to locate pictures of this species I've seen a selection of colourations of both the body and the eyes.

Related Species: 
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A widespread resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A several at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Blue Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis)

OTHER NAMES: Chalky Percher, Blue Percher

Latin Etymology: Diplacodes (?) trivialis ("common")

Adult female Blue Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 30-34mm  /  Wingspan: 45-50mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Blue Ground Skimmer is a comparatively common species in Malaysia, it has a high degree of sexual dimorphism with the male being the blue that the name suggests while the female is far more predominantly yellow.  It is found thoughout Southern Asia and Australia.  This species breeds in wide varieties of water bodies including ponds, lakes, rice fields and irrigation canals.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Diplacodes 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A locally common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several in Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Spine-legged Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa)

OTHER NAMES: Rufous Marsh Glider, Common Redbolt, Ruby Darter

Latin Etymology: Rhodothemis (?) rufa ("red")

Adult male Spine-legged Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 31mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common dragonfly of much of South-East Asia, despite the name, only the male is red, white the female is brown with a distinctive white stripe running from the tip of it's tail up it's back. The spine-legged redbolt can be found in fairly disturbed habitats such as the parks in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Rhodothemis 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - ?

A widespread resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several in Kuala Lumpur

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina)

OTHER NAMES: Slender Skimmer, Variegated Green Skimmer
Latin Etymology: Orthetrum ("straight tool") sabina (after a group of women from Roman myth)

Mating pair of Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /    Length: 3.5cm  /  Wingspan: 6-8.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

I must admit, by dragonfly standards the green marsh hawk is certainly on the subtler end - it has an almost damselfly like patternation, but with green replacing the blue, and a good deal larger than those species.  My single encounter of this species was at a shallow pool near the entrance of Sungei Buloh, where this pair had their attention on other things.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
SUBSPECIES: unclear?

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Two at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata)

OTHER NAMES: Asian Groundling, Asian Amberwing
Latin Etymology: Brachythemis ("short divine law") contaminata ("contaminated")

Adult male Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata) at Prek Toal, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 2.1cm  /  Wingspan: 4.6cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common species of dragonfly found throughout South-East Asia, it was by far the most abundant species we saw at Prek Toal, with large numbers of individuals particularly around the viewing platform, though unfortunately none were willing to stop still long enough to take a good clear photo of.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Brachythemis
SUBSPECIES: unclear?

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ?
A common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common at Prek Toal

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Picture Wing (Rhyothemis variegata)

OTHER NAMES: Variegated Flutterer
Latin Etymology: Rhyothemis ("irregular law giver"?) variegata ("variagated")

Adult Common Picture Wing (subspecies R. v. variegata) at Phnom Krom, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Rhyothemis variegata variegata
Weight: ?  /  Length: 2.5cm  /  Wingspan: 5-7.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species which is highly visually distinct from any species I'd seen before - it's unusual patchwork patterning of black and gold on it's wings makes it appear almost butterfly like.  They were locally common, being common at various locations in and around Angkor Thom where they hunted over the ruins, as well as in the marshes of Phnom Krom.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Rhyothemis
SUBSPECIES: R. v. variegata, R. v. arria, R. v. imperatrix

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ? 
Common resident

SINGAPORE / CAMBODIA 2019 TRIP - Common at  Phnom Krom and Angkor Thom

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans)

OTHER NAMES: Red Grasshawk, Grasshawk Dragonfly
Latin Etymology: Neurothermis ("warm divine law"?) fluctuans ("wave")

Adult male Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 3.5cm  /  Wingspan: 7.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very striking species of dragonfly found commonly throughout South-East Asia, it shares it's range with the similar Neurothemis terminata which I must admit I am not 100% sure I have correctly differentiated from (although some of the more subtle details seem to match fluctuans better).  This individual was just outside the main visitor centre at Sungei Buloh, enjoying the shallow pond.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Neurothemis
SUBSPECIES: unknown?

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Blue Riverdamsel (Pseudagrion microcephalum)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Sprite, Blue Grass Dart
Latin Etymology: Pseudagrion (?) microcephalum ("small head")

Adult male Blue Riverdamsel (Pseudagrion microcephalum) at Lower Pierce Reservoir, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: ?  /  Length: 3.8cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

By European standards, a fairly typical damselfly, but in this instance it's a widely distributed species found in a huge roughly triangular range between Australia, China and India.  It is a member of Pseudagrion, one of the largest genuses of damselfly in the world, although one I had not specifically encountered before.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Pseudagrion
SUBSPECIES: P. m. stainbergerorum, P. m. microcephalum, others?

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One seen around Lower Pierce Reservoir

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Hawker, Spring Hawker
Latin Etymology: Brachytron (?) pratense ("meadow")

Adult female Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) at Crossness, London - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 5.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest hawker dragonfly in the UK, and one belonging to it's own monotypic genus.  It is one of the first dragonfly species to emerge in the UK, first appearing in May, and it's range is increasing Northwards, potentially as a consequence of Climate Change.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Brachytron
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A resident of Sourthern Britain, expanding it's range

 - Seen at Crossness in May 2019

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Foot-tipped Darter (Sympetrum eroticum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sympetrum (?) eroticum ("erotic")

Adult male Foot-tipped Darter (subspecies S. e. eroticum) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Kyoto, Japan - June 2013

Featured Subspecies: Sympetrum eroticum eroticum
Length: 30-42mm  /  Wingspan: 70mm
UK Status: Not Present / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While watching birds at a small water fountain in Kyoto's Imperial Palace Garden, a small number of these dragonflies were patrolling the area, occasionally landing on the plants long enough to get a proper look at them.  This species took a fair bit of identifying - though it does have an English name (though to what "foot-topped" refers, I don't know) but it ultimately involved going through a list of Japanese dragonflies until I narrowed it down to the right one.  This species seems fairly variable in colour, ranging from bright yellow to bright red and anything in between, as with this individual.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Sympetrum
SUBSPECIES: S. e. ardens, S. e. eroticum

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - マユタ テア カネ  /  Mayutateakane

Locally common resident

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Seen in Kyoto.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta)

OTHER NAMES: Autumn Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) mixta ("mixed")

Adult Migrant Hawker (subspecies A. m. mixta) at Elmley Marshes, Kent - September 2012

Featured Subspecies: Aeshna mixta mixta
Length: 63mm  /  Wingspan: 87mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bit less common than some of the other similar looking dragonfly species found in the UK, the migrant hawker only took up residence in the UK in the 20th Century, possibly as temperature have increased, and has slowly been expanding Northwards, reaching Ireland and the Isle of Mann since the beginning of the 21st Century.  This individual was seen near the edge of Elmley Marshes, heading along the Swale back towards Faversham.  The best identifying feature is the "golf-tee" shaped marking just behind the wings, which no other species in the UK has.

Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: A. m. mixta, A. m. soneharai

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A resident species to the South of England which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Elmley Marshes.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Dragonfly, Spring Hawker, Amber-winged Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) grandis ("large")

Adult Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) at Peterborough - Summer 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 73mm  /  Wingspan: 102mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably just about the easiest British Dragonfly to identify in the field - even in flight its rust-bronze wings are distinctive, along with its similarly coloured body and blue or lime green spots.  Found throughout much of Europe, and much of England in particular, I have found this a fairly easy species to see, often patrolling forest ridings, but they seem to be even more flighty than most dragonflies, and thus harder to photograph without something between you and them.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington, Brigstock and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Emperor

Latin Etymology: Anax (?) imperator ("emperor")

Adult Emperor Dragonfly (subspecies A. i. imperator) at Wellingborough, Northants - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: Anax imperator imperator
Length: 76mm  /  Wingspan: 106mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of the British dragonflies, and as such, arguably the most powerful insect predator in the country. Emperor Dragonflies are fairly widespread throughout the Summer months.  As nymphs, they are able to feed on small vertebrates such as tadpoles and small fish, while as adults they are able to take larger insects such as butterflies and smaller dragonfly species.  The female markings seen on this individual are green on females.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Anax
SUBSPECIES: A. i. mauricianus, A. i. imperator

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
.

Japanese Demoiselle (Calopteryx japonica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Calopteryx (?) japonica ("Japanese")

Adult male Japanese Demoiselle (Calopteryx japonica) at Arashiyama, Japan - June 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 55-68mm /  Wingspan: ?
UK Status: Not Present / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

This Demoiselle is enormous by the standards of British Dragonflies and Damselflies, more akin to a decent sized dragonfly.  It was seen on the path up to the Monkey Sanctuary through the forested Hills of Arashiyama, and at the time appeared entirely black, but subsequent inspection revealed a greenish tinge to it.

Related Species:
Order: Odondata
Family: Calopterygiae
Genus: Calopteryx
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - アオハダトンボ  /  Aohadatonbo ("Awaoda Dragonfly")

Resident seen in Summer..

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single individual at Arashiyama.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, .RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Blue-tailed Forest Hawk (Orthetrum triangulare)

OTHER NAMES: Lesser Blue Skimmer, Triangle Skimmer

Latin Etymology: Orthetrum (?) triangulare ("triangular")

Adult Blue-tailed Forest Hawk (subspecies O. t. triangulare) at Arashiyama, Kyoto Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Orthetrum triangulare triangulare
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Blue-tailed Forest Hawk is a fairly common Dragonfly in Japan - it is found in mountainous forest habitats, where it breeds in small ponds.  This particular individual was found on the rocky paths in the foothills near Arashiyama feeding on the insects on the track up to the Monkey Sanctuary.  For a large dragonfly, it was fairly tolerant of humans and allowed some fairly close views.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
SUBSPECIES: O. t. triangulare, O. c.malaccense

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - 大潮カラートンボ  /  Ooshio-kara-tombo ("Fish Colour Dragonfly")

Resident seen in Summer..

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single individual at Arashiyama.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

OTHER NAMES: Pond Damselfly, Azure Blue
Latin Etymology: Coenagrion (?) puella ("little boy")

Adult Azure Damselfly (subspecies C. p. puella) at Geddington, Northants - August 2011

Featured Subspecies: Coenagrion puella puella
Length: 33mm  /  Wingspan: 44-48mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Azure Damselfly looks very similar to the Common Damselfly, and can only really be differentiated by examination of the markings. It is a fairly common species, and care should be taken when looking at any of the "standard" damselflies.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Coenagrion
SUBSPECIES: C. p. puella, C. p. kocheri

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and various other sites

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .