Egg Laying of Tramea transmarina

Egg Laying of Tramea transmarina

Tramea transmarina is a pond species. The egg-laying is normally performed in the mid day. During the process of egg laying, the male clasps on the female forming a tandem pair. The flying tandem pair will look for suitable sites at the pond for egg laying. The male will unclasps the female briefly letting her to release eggs on the surface of water. Then, immediately the male will clasp the female forming again a tandem pair. The tandem pair will keep on flying to look for other suitable sites at the pond to lay eggs. Sometime, the female may lay eggs alone without the presence of the male.

a pair of Tramea transmarina flying in tandem during the process of egg laying

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

the male briefly unclasps the female so that the female may conveniently releases eggs on the water surface

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

a female Tramea transmarina is laying eggs alone without the presence of male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Taman Rimba Alam, Putrajaya

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Taman Rimba Alam, Putrajaya

Taman Rimba Alam is an urban forest park located between Precincts 14 and 15 in Putrajaya. It is managed by Perbadanan Putrajaya. I visited Taman Rimba Alam on 18 August 2026 (from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm) to observe Odonata. Taman Rimba Alam is divided into 7 zones. I only observed the Odonata at zone C. Zone C has a beautiful lake/pond (Tasik Meranti). Tasik Meranti consists of three compartments which are inter-connected (see the Google map and photos below). I managed to record 24 Odonata species at Tasik Meranti (see the species below). Actually, Phon (2025) produced a checklist of Odonata for Taman Rimba Alam consisting 29 species. The Odonata data covered the whole Taman Rimba Alam, including Tasik Meranti (zone C), spanning a period from June to November 2024 (a total of 10 sampling days). Phon (2025) listed 15 species from zone C. Three species recorded at zone C by Phon (2025) not observed on my visit are Lathrecista asiatica, Trithemis festiva and Camacinia gigantea. Nevertheless, 5 species were recorded by me not appeared in Phon (2025) – Pseudagrion siamense, Brachythemis contaminata, Orthetrum luzonicum, Rhodothemis rufa and Rhyothemis obsolescens. With the combined data, a total of 34 species of Odonata (9 damselflies and 25 dragonflies) are currently known to Taman Timba Alam, Putrajaya.

Google map showing the three compartments of Tasik Meranti (A, B and C)

Tasik Meranti - compartment A

Tasik Meranti - compartment B

Tasik Meranti - compartment C

Odonata species observed by me on 18 August 2026 (from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm)

Family Lestidae

1 Lestes decipiens

Family Coenagrionidae

2 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum

3 Ceriagrion chaoi

4 Pseudagrion australasiae

5 Pseudagrion siamense

Family Gomphidae

6 Ictinogomphus decoratus

Family Libellulidae

7 Acisoma panorpoides

8 Aethriamanta brevipennis

9 Aethriamanta gracilis

10 Brachythemis contaminata

11 Diplacodes nebulosa

12 Nannophya pgymaea

13 Neurothemis fluctuans

14 Orthetrum chrysis

15 Orthetrum luzonicum

16 Orthetrum sabina 

17 Orthetrum testaceum

18 Rhodothemis rufa

19 Rhyothemis obsolescens

20 Rhyothemis triangularis

21 Trithemis aurora

22 Tyriobapta torrida

23 Urothemis signata

24 Zyxomma petiolatum

Reference:

Phon, C.K. 2025. Diversiti Kupu-kupu (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera), pepatung (Odonata, Anisoptera) dan pepatung jarum (Odonata, Zygoptera) di Taman Rimba Alam Putrajaya. Prosiding Ekspedisi Saintifik Biodiversiti Taman Rimba Alam Putrajaya, Perbadanan Putrajaya, pp. 149-155.

Kajang - Exuviae of Anax guttatus

Exuviae: Anax guttatus - both are female

aquatic habitat: pond

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Kajang - Crocothemis servilia

This young male of Crocothemis servilia is heavily infested by mites. Hundreds of mites are attached to the underside of thorax and abdomen.

Crocothemis servilia - young male

heavily infested by mites

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Sungai Karang Forest Reserve - Elattoneura aurantiaca

Elattoneura aurantiaca - male

Sungai Karang Forest Reserve, Selangor

Tasik Bera - Elattoneura aurantiaca

Elattoneura aurantiaca - male

Tasik Bera, Pahang

Chamah Highlands - Coeliccia didyma

Coeliccia didyma - male

Chamah Highlands, Kelantan

Tasik Semenyih - Tholymis tillarga

Tholymis tillarga - female

Tasik Semenyih, Semenyih, Selangor

Pangkor Island - Copera vittata

Copera vittata - male

Pangkor Island, Perak

Neurobasis chinensis VS Neurobasis longipes

Differences between Neurobasis chinensis and Neurobasis longipes

Both Neurobasis chinensis and Neurobasis longipes occur in Peninsular Malaysia, with N. chinensis being much more common. To be honest, I only encountered N. longipes at a very few locations in Peninsular Malaysia. The male individuals of N. chinensis and N. longipes are quite similar. The base of hindwing has more extensive area of clear cells in N. longipes if compared to N. chinensis. It is actually quite difficult to tell apart the male individuals of both the species based on in-situ photos. However, the in-situ photos of female individuals may help to know the presence of which species at the site. The wing of female N. chinensis has two white spots while the female N. longipes has one white spot (see the photos below). When Neurobasis male individuals are spotted at one site, the female individuals are also frequently present at the site. I normally use this character to identify N. chinensis and N. longipes on site without catching them.

Neurobasis chinensis - female

Taman Eko Rimba Jeram Linang, Ulu Sat Forest Reserve, Kelantan

Neurobasis longipes - female

Kuala Tahan, Pahang