Territorial Dispute - Brachythemis contaminata

Brachythemis contaminata - both are males

territorial dispute between two males

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Semenyih - Brachythemis contaminata

Brachythemis contaminata - female

infested by midges

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Rimbun Dahan - Urothemis signata

Urothemis signata - male

Rimbun Dahan, Kuang, Selangor

Semenyih - Pseudagrion siamense

Pseudagrion siamense - female

infested with midges

Eco Forest Sales Gallery, Semenyih, Selangor

Kajang - Exuvia of Crocothemis servilia

Exuvia of Crocothemis servilia

Crocothemis servilia - female

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Semenyih - Brachydiplax chalybea

Brachydiplax chalybea - female

Eco Forest Sales Gallery, Semenyih, Selangor

Exuvia - Could it be Chalybeothemis chini?

Could it be Chalybeothemis chini?

I spotted a small exuvia clinging on a aquatic pandanus leaf at Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor. It is a Libellulidae female exuvia with a body length (from the head to the anal pyramid) of 11.5 mm. I have been visiting to Central Park Eco Forest for the past 4 weeks (for 5 visits) to check the Odonata. 14 Libellulidae species (Acisoma panorpoides, Brachydiplax chalybea, Brachythemis contaminata, Chalybeothemis chini, Diplacodes trivialis, Hydrobasileus croceus, Neurothemis fluctuans, Orthetrum sabina, Pantala flavescens, Rhyothemis variegata phyllis, Rhyothemis triangularis, Tholymis tillarga, Tramea transmarina and Urothemis signata) have been recorded by me for the past 4 weeks there.

The exuvia is small with stout dorsal spines. From the Libellulidae list above (spotted at Central Park Eco Forest),  dorsal spines are present for the exuviae of Brachydiplax chalybea, Hydrobasileus croceus, Orthetrum sabina, Rhyothemis triangularis, Rhyothemis variegata phyllis, Tholymis tillarga and Urothemis signata. The exuvia spotted at the pandanus leaf does not seem to match well the shape of the spines and abdomen of these species. Up to date, the larva of Chalybeothemis chini is unknown.  

The exuvia was spotted at a specific site with well grown aquatic pandanus at Central Park Eco Forest, where Chalybeothemis chini (at least 5 individuals) were seen always hanging around at the leaves of pandanus plants. I was just wondering if this exuvia is of Chalybeothemis chini.

a Libellulidae exuvia clinging on the pandanus leaf 

dorsal and lateral views of the exuvia

Kajang - Ischnura senegalensis

Ischnura senegalensis - A Male Attacking A Wheel Pair

I managed to capture with camera the moment of a male attacking a wheel pair (all are Ischnura senegalensis). The wheel pair was perching on a grass blade at the water edge of a pond. Suddenly, the male from nearby attacked the wheel pair (on the male individual of the wheel pair). The wheel pair together with the male fell down to the water surface (the moment captured by the photo below). Within a short moment of struggling, the male retreated from the attack, and the wheel pair managed to reposition themselves lifting from the water surface.

Ischnura senegalensis

a wheel pair is being attacked by a male

Central Park Tropicana Heights, Kajang, Selangor

Semenyih - Ischnura senegalensis

Ischnura senegalensis - female (orange form)

infested by midges

Eco Forest Sales Gallery, Semenyih, Selangor

Kajang - Crocothemis servilia

Crocothemis servilia - male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Rimbun Dahan - Aethriamanta brevipennis

Aethriamantra brevipennis - male

obelisk posture

Rimbun Dahan, Kuang, Selangor

Semenyih - Chalybeothemis chini

Chalybeothemis chini - male

obelisk posture

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Kajang - Diplacodes trivialis

This male individual of Diplacodes trivialis is heavily infested by mites

Diplacodes trivialis - male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Kajang - Rhodothemis rufa

Rhodothemis rufa - male

Central Park Tropicana Heights, Kajang, Selangor

Kajang - Aethriamanta brevipennis

Aethriamanta brevipennis - female

Central Park Tropicana Heights, Kajang, Selangor

This female is in the middle of laying eggs

Semenyih - Acisoma panorpoides

Acisoma panorpoides - male

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Semenyih - Pseudagrion rubriceps

Pseudagrion rubriceps - male

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Chalybeothemis chini Trapped by Spider Net

Chalybeothemis chini Trapped by Spider Net

A female of Chalybeothemis chini is trapped by spider net at the aquatic pandanus plant. Female of Chalybeothemis chini has not been described yet. It looks like the markings on the thorax and abdomen of the female of Chalybeothemis chini resemble that of the male. 

Chalybeothemis chini - female

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Taman Negara Pulau Pinang - Agriocnemis pygmaea

Agriocnemis pygmaea - female

Tasik Meromiktik, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang

Chamah Highlands - Calicnemia chaseni

Calicnemia chaseni - male

Chamah Highlands, Kelantan

Semenyih - Tholymis tillarga

Tholymis tillarga - young male

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Gunung Stong State Park - Calicnemia chaseni

Oviposition of Calicnemia chaseni

It looks like Calicnemia chaseni lays eggs on moist substract rather than water submerged plant tissue.

 

Calicnemia chaseni - egg laying

Gunung Stong State Park, Kelantan

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Central Park Eco Forest Semenyih

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Central Park Eco Forest Semenyih, Selangor

I surveyed the dragonflies and damselflies at Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor on the 25th and 27th August 2026. Central Park Eco Forest is about 500 m from the retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery. There are two large retention ponds in the park. The ponds are well maintained by the developer. However, the water edges of the ponds are quite bare (very few aquatic vegetation). I spotted 15 Odonata species during the survey, 4 damselflies and 11 dragonflies. I was quite surprised to spot Chalybeothemis chini there. Chalybeothemis chini was found hanging around the aquatic plants (Pandanus plants) at the water edge of one of the ponds. At least 5 individuals were spotted during each time of visiting. They were quite tame at the site and easy to be photographed (click here to see a photograph of Chalybeothemis chini taken at Central Park Eco Forest). Overall, the number of Odonata species recorded at the park was not high, and I believe it is partly due to the bare condition of the water edges of the ponds. Nevertheless, Central Park Eco Forest is still a good site for dragonfly watching at urban landscape.

Google map showing the location of Central Park Eco Forest

the signage of Central Park Eco Forest by roadside

a corner of pond at Central Park Eco Forest

 

a corner of pond at Central Park Eco Forest

a corner of pond at Central Park Eco Forest

a nice bridge across pond at Central Park Eco Forest

Odonata species spotted at Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih on the 25th and 27th August 2026

Family Coenagrionidae

1 Agriocnemis femina

2 Ischnura senegalensis

3 Pseudagrion rubriceps

4 Pseudagrion siamense

Family Gomphidae

5 Ictinogomphus decoratus

Family Libellulidae

6 Acisoma panorpoides

7 Brachythemis contaminata

8 Chalybeothemis chini

9 Neurothemis fluctuans

10 Orthetrum sabina

11 Pantala flavescens

12 Rhyothemims triangularis

13 Rhyothemis variegata phyllis

14 Tholymis tillarga

Semenyih - Rhyothemis variegata phyllis

Rhyothemis variegata phyllis - female

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Kajang - Exuvia of Orthetrum sabina

Exuvia of Orthetrum sabina

Orthetrum sabina - male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Semenyih - Chalybeothemis chini

Chalybeothemis chini - male

Central Park Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Kajang - Exuviae of Pantala flavescens and Anax guttatus

left is Pantala flavescens (female) and right is Anax guttatus (female)

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Imbak Canyon - Pseudagrion pilidorsum

Pseudagrion pilidorsum - male

Imbak Canyon, Sabah

Semenyih - Indothemis carnatica

Indothemis carnatica - male

Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary - Heliocypha biseriata

Heliocypha biseriata - male

Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak 

Kajang - Exuvia of Anax guttatus

Anax guttatus - male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Eco Forest Semenyih

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Eco Forest Semenyih, Selangor

I surveyed the dragonflies and damselflies at the retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih, Selangor on 22 August 2026, from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm. The pond is well maintained by the developer. A beautiful fountain is located at the centre of the pond. I spotted 18 Odonata species during the survey on 22 August 2026, 3 damselflies and 15 dragonflies. The most surprising observation is the presence of Chalybeothemis chini. Chalybeothemis chini was found hanging around the aquatic plants (the part facing the water) next to the hut by the pond (see the last photo with mark area). Other interesting species is Indothemis carnatica. Actually, I visited the pond a couple of times in June and July 2026. 7 species were observed in the precious visits but not spotted on 22 August 2026 - Lestes decipiens, Pseudagrion rubriceps, Diplacodes trivialis, Hydrobasileus croceus, Indothemis limbata, Rhyothemis variegata phyllis and Pantala flavescens. I have to say the retention pond at Eco Forest Gallery is one of the good sites for dragonfly watching at urban landscape.

Google map showing the retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih

retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih

retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih

retention pond next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih

the mark area is where Chalybeothemis chini hanging around

Dragonflies and Damselflies Spotted on 22 August 2026 at the Retention Pond Next to Eco Forest Gallery, Semenyih 

Family Coenagrionidae

1 Agriocnemis femina

2 Ischnura senegalensis

3 Pseudagrion siamense

Family Gomphidae

4 Ictinogomphus decoratus

Family Libellulidae

5 Acisoma panorpoides

6 Aethriamanta gracilis

7 Brachydiplax chalybea

8 Brachythemis contaminata

9 Chalybeothemis chini

10 Crocothemis servilia

11 Indothemis carnatica

12 Neurothemis fluctuans

13 Orthetrum sabina

14 Pseudothemis jorina

15 Rhodothemis rufa

16 Rhyothemis triangularis

17 Tramea transmarina

18 Urothemis signata

Kajang - Exuviae of Pantala flavescens

Exuvia of Pantala flavescens

Pantala flavescens is pond species. Exuviae of Pantala flavescens are normally found clinging on the glass blades or sticks at the water edge of the pond.

Pantala flavescens - both are male

Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor

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