Contents Foreword 08 Preface 09 Acknowledgements 11 1. A Brief Introduction to Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) 15 Etymology 15 Basic Morphology 16 Zygoptera or Anisoptera 17 Differentiation between the sexes 18 Life Cycle and its Stages 19 Reproductive Behaviour 22 2. Sri Lanka: Climate, Geography and Biodiversity 25 3. Diversity of Sri Lankan Odonata 27 4. Checklist of Sri Lankan Odonata 28 5. Odonata Conservation 33 Threats faced by Sri Lankan Odonata 33 Conservation Status of Sri Lankan Odonata 34 Legal protection given to Sri Lankan Odonata 35 Research Gaps 35 Conservation Actions and Recommendations 36 Habitat management for Odonata 37 How to use this book 38 6. Family and Species Profiles 40 Family Calopterygidae 40 Family Chlorocyphidae 43 Family Euphaidae 48 Family Lestidae 50 Family Coenagrionidae 56 Family Platycnemididae 70 Family Platystictidae 79 Family Aeshnidae 94 Family Gomphidae 99 Family Macromiidae 90 Family Synthemistidae 113 Family Libellulidae 115 7. Odonata Habitats 158 Glossary 166 References 168 Index 171 Scientific Names 171 Common Names 172 A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka 13
48 A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka Sapphire Flutterer - Rhyothemis triangularis
How to use this Book Species Upper Captions of illustrations Lower Images Common name Scientific name Flight season Identification Habitats and Habits Endemic Endemic species Endemic ssp Endemic sub species Family name Family colour code Abdomen & Hindwing size Distribution Abdomen length Size Damselflies (Zygoptera) L Large (Abdomen length over 40 mm) M Medium (Abdomen length 30-40 mm) S Small (Abdomen length: 10-30 mm) Dragonflies (Anisoptera) L Large (Abdomen length over 40 mm) M Medium (Abdomen length 20-40 mm) S Small (Abdomen length: 10-30 mm) Distribution map More Abundant Absent Less Abundant Abundance Status VC Very Common, C Common, UC Uncommon, R Rare, VR Very Rare 38 A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka
Calopterygidae Family Chlorocyphidae Family name Euphaeidae Lestidae Coenagrionidae Platycnemididae Platystictidae Aeshnidae Gomphidae Macromiidae Synthemistidae Number of Endemic species in Sri Lanka Number of species in Sri Lanka Number of Genera in Sri Lanka National Conservation Status The following data for the species have been included based on the assessment in 2012 EX Extinct, EW Extinct in the Wild, CR Critically Endangered, EN Endangered, VU Vulnerable, NT Near Threatened, LC Least Concerned, DD Data Deficient, NE Not Evaluated Description Libellulidae Colour Code Extinct Threatened Lower Risk Notes The measurement ranges for each species is given considering both sexes. In most cases the female is shorter than the male of the same species. The distribution maps were prepared using reliable published data, unpublished data of the author and his colleagues and in a few cases, the general understanding on the patterns of species distribution in the country. Even though the species distribution is given as broad ranges, a species would occur only in suitable habitats within the given range. It is also possible that a species is recorded outside this range in certain cases. The flight seasons for a species is given based on presence and absence records in each month, not based on abundance data. Therefore both the months with higher abundance and lower abundance will be visualized similarly as a month with presence data for the species. However, there are population peaks in many species, especially the endemics that depends mainly on the climatic factors. This field guide is not a taxonomic work. Thus no taxonomic figures have been provided in species identification sections. However, in certain cases, description of the male anal appendages is given in text with minimum required details for field identification. Field identification of female odonates is a challenging task in certain species. They need to be examined very closely in detail to provide a reliable identification and this work has not covered all detail identification characters as its purpose is to provide field identification guidelines. A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka 39
Calopterygidae Calopterygidae Genera 2 Species 2 00 Members of this family are moderately large damselflies with long spider like legs, shiny metallic bodies and broad wings. They are commonly referred to as Jewelwings. Family Calopterigidae which is distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australian region is represented in Sri Lanka by only 2 species in 2 genera. These damselflies live in the habitat of moderate to fast flowing streams with riparian vegetation. 40 A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka
Oriental Greenwing Neurobasis chinensis chinensis (Linnaeus, 1758) FLIGHT SEASON Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Identification This species has a thin, elongated abdomen and long legs. Generally, the body colour of males is metallic green. Their eyes are black and greenish. In males the front wings are hyaline. The upper surface of their hind wings is metallic bluish green and the lower surface is coppery brown. Pterostigma is absent in the wings of males. Females are bronze-brown in colour. Their wings are densely tinged with yellowish brown and the nodes and pterostigma are creamy white. Male Female Size (mm) Abdomen 44-50 Hind wing 32-40 Calopterygidae Jan Habitats and Habits Usually inhabits medium to large streams and rivers where adults perch in exposed locations. Typically found close to water surface and often alight on emerging boulders. During courtship, males fly close to the water surface displaying the metallic blue-green on their upper wings. Females oviposit endophytically into submerged plant parts and they often submerge themselves during this. Distribution Mainly in the wet zone, especially in the sub-montane regions. Absent at very high elevations. Sometimes found in riverine habitats in dry and intermediate zones too. A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka 41