Dragonflies and Damselflies of Malaysia: September 2023

20 September 2023

A Dragonfly Project at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort

A Dragonfly Project at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort

I was approached by a personnel from Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Petaling Jaya, Selangor some time ago in July 2021, inquiring if I could assist the resort on a dragonfly project. A proposal of creating a small dragonfly pond at the golf course and introducing a dragonfly species to the pond was came out. I proposed to introduce a common pond species Tramea transmarina (Saddlebag Glider) to a pond created specifically for dragonflies at the resort. The management decided to create a small pond at the entrance of the golf course (see photo below).

a dragonfly pond at the Tropicana golf course

photographed on 19 September 2023

Saddlebag Glider larvae were acquired by collecting eggs from egg-laying females, and the eggs were hatched into larvae, and the resulting larvae were reared up to 7th or 8th instar stage before releasing them into the pond. On 24 September 2021, a total of 88 Saddlebag Glider larvae were released into the pond in a simple ceremony (see photo below).

releasing Saddlebag Glider larvae into the dragonfly pond

photo by Tropicana Golf & Country Resort

A follow-up on the project was conducted by a field survey at the pond on 18 February 2022. Larvae, exuviae and flying adults of Saddlebag Glider were observed at the pond during the field survey, indicating Saddlebag Glider is adapting to the pond and breeding at the pond. Apart from Saddlebag Glider, other dragonflies were also present at the pond. I visited again the pond on 19 September 2023. I was thrilled by observing more dragonfly species at the pond. I saw a few Saddlebag Glider flying and perching at the pond, and they were (male and female) also flying in tandem to lay eggs at the pond. I might have to say that the dragonfly project is a successful project.

Dragonflies and Damselflies recorded at the pond:

Tramae transmarina (Saddlebag Glider)

Brachydiplax chalybea (Blue Dasher)

Ictinogomphus decoratus (Common Flagetail)

Tholymis tillarga (White-barred Duskhawk)

Rhyothemis phyllis (Yellow-barred Flutterer)

Aethriamanta aethra (Blue Adjutant)

Orthetrum testaceum (Scarlet Skimmer)

Orthetrum sabina (Variegated Green Skimmer)

Camacinia gigantae (Sultan)

Trithemis aurora (Crimson Dropwing)

Ischnura senegalensis (Common Bluetail)