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

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

Pangkor Island - Amphicnemis gracilis

Amphicnemis gracilis - female

Pangkor Island, Perak

Urban Biodiversity of Odonata at Retention Ponds

Urban Biodiversity of Odonata at Retention Ponds

Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) of Malaysia requires property development project exceeding 10.12 ha to construct retention or detention ponds under the Urban Stormwater Management Manual for Malaysia. These retention ponds normally have dual use - to turn into public recreational parks. I have visited a few of these retention ponds (recreational parks) for the past 2-3 years in Selangor – Shah Alam, Kajang and Semenyih. I must say that these retention ponds are good locations for dragonfly watching. To be honest, I was thrilled to observe some interesting Odonata species at these ponds in Selangor, such as Trithemis pallidinervis, Diplacodes nebulosa, Neurothemis tullia, Indothemis limbata, Chalybeothemis chini and Aethriamanta brevipennis, Tramea transmarina, Hydrobasileus croceus and Lestes decipiens. Indeed, these retention ponds are interesting urban landscape to promote urban biodiversity of Odonata.

Town Park, Bandar Bukit Raja, Shah Alam, Selangor

Canal Park, Setia Alamsari, Kajang, Selangor

Eco Forest, Semenyih, Selangor

Central Park, Tropicana Heights, Kajang, Selangor

Pangkor Island - Mortonagrion arthuri

Mortonagrion arthuri - male

Pangkor Island, Perak

Genting Highlands - Calicnemia rectangulata

Damselfly - Calicnemia rectangulata

Calicnemia rectangulata is a strictly highland species. It is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia.

Calicnemia rectangulata - egg laying

Genting Highlands, Pahang

Female Comparison of Indothemis limbata, Indothemis carnatica and Trithemis aurora

Female Comparison of Indothemis limbata, Indothemis carnatica and Trithemis aurora

Both Indothemis limbata and Indothemis carnatica are present in Peninsular Malaysia but absent in Borneo. Both species have the same aquatic habitat - ponds. The females of Indothemis limbata and Indothemis carnatica look alike, but yet they are distinguishable based on the extensiveness of tinted area at wing bases and the presence/absence of tinted wing tips (see photo images below). The female of Trithemis aurora may make one confused with the female of Indothemis limbata. Though both the females (Indothemis limbata and Trithemis aurora) have extensive tint on wing bases, they are readily be told apart by the presence/absence of tinted wing tips. Their dorsal thoracic and abdominal markings are actually different (see photo images below). One may ask about the female of Trithemis festiva. Well, the female of Trithemis festiva is also yellowish brown in colour with black marking. However, its thoracic and abdominal black marking pattern is different from those of Trithemis aurora and Indothemis limbata/carnatica. Click here to see the female of Trithemis festiva.

Indothemis limbata - female

Kajang, Selangor

Indothemis carnatica - female

UKM Bangi, Selangor

Trithemis aurora - female

UKM Bangi, Selangor

Taman Eko Rimba Puncak Janing - Neurothemis fulvia

Neurothemis fulvia - male

Taman Eko Rimba Puncak Janing, Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve, Kedah

Anal Appendages of Aciagrion borneense

Anal Appendages of Aciagrion borneense (Male)

Here is the anal appendages of Aciagrion borneense (male) for the purpose of species identification.

top is lateral (right) view and bottom is dorsal view of the anal appendages of Aciagrion borneense (male)

Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve - Libellago aurantiaca

Libellago aurantiaca - female

egg laying

Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve, Kedah

Sg Durian, Lintang - Pseudocopera ciliata

Pseudocopera ciliata - male

Sg Durian, Lintang, Perak

Bandar Baru Bangi - Brachydiplax chalybea

Brachydiplax chalybea - male

Seksyen 3, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

Bandar Baru Bangi - Aethriamanta gracilis

Aethriamanta gracilis - in tandem

Seksyen 3, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Tropicana Heights Kajang

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Tropicana Heights Kajang, Selangor

Central Park of Tropicana Heights Kajang has a few interconnected ponds (see the photos below). The park is well managed by the developer. I have to say it is a great urban landscape habitat for dragonfly watching. I visited the park on 10 August 2026 for dragonfly watching (from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm). I recorded 24 Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) species - 20 species were dragonflies and 4 species were damselflies (see the species list at the end of this post). Species found in abundant in the park were Crocothemis servilia, Rhodothemis rufa, Rhyothemis variegata phyllis, Brachythemis contaminata, Urothemis signata and Ischnura senegalensis. Actually, I have been surveying the Odonata of the Central Park for more than 18 months. The other species found at the park (previous surveys) but not observed on 10 August 2026 are Pseudagrion australasiea, Diplacodes trivialis, Zyxomma petiolatum, Tramea transmarina, Orthetrum testaceum and Potamarcha congener. Therefore, a total of 30 Odonata species have so far been recorded from the Central Park of Tropicana Heights Kajang.

Central Park, Tropicana Heights Kajang

Central Park, Tropicana Heights Kajang

Central Park, Tropicana Heights Kajang

List of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Central Park, Tropicana Heights Kajang, Recorded on 10 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 Aethriamanta brevipennis

8 Aethriamanta gracilis

9 Brachydiplax chalybea

10 Brachythemis contaminata

11 Crocothemis servilia

12 Diplacodes nebulosa

13 Hydrobasileus croceus

14 Indothemis limbata

15 Neurothemis fluctuans

16 Orthetrum chrysis

17 Orthetrum sabina 

18 Pseudothemis jorina

19 Rhodothemis rufa

20 Rhyothemis triangularis

21 Rhyothemis variegata phyllis

22 Tholymis tillarga

23 Trithemis aurora

24 Urothemis signata

 

Tasik Semenyih - Ictinogomphus decoratus

Ictinogomphus decoratus - male

Tasik Semenyih, Semenyih, Selangor

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Tasik Semenyih, Semenyih, Selangor

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Tasik Semenyih, Semenyih, Selangor

Tasik Semenyih is located along Jalan Broga. It is easily accessed through Taman Tasik Semenyih or Jalan Diamond City. The lake is not far from Semenyih town. The lake looks great, but many parts of the lake is covered by water hyacinth. I visited Tasik Semenyih on 7 August 2026 (from 10.15 am to 1.15 pm) to check the dragonflies and damselflies present there. I managed to record 17 species in 4 families - 4 were damselflies and 13 were dragonflies.

Google Map showing Tasik Semenyih

Tasik Semenyih

Tasik Semenyih - many parts of the lake are covered by water hyacinth

the bridge crossing Tasik Semenyih

Odonata species spotted on 7 August 2026 at Tasik Semenyih

Family Coenagrionidae

1 Agriocnemis femina

2 Ceriagrion auranticum

3 Ischnura senegalensis

Family Platycnemididae

4 Onychargia atrocyana

Family Gomphidae

5 Ictinogomphus decoratus

Family Libellulidae

6 Aethriamanta gracilis

7 Brachydiplax chalybea

8 Brachythemis contaminata

9 Crocothemis servilia

10 Hydrobasileus croceus

11 Neurothemis fluctuans

12 Orthetrum chrysis

13 Orthetrum sabina

14 Pantala flavescens

15 Pseudothemis jorina

16 Rhodothemis rufa

17 Rhyothemis variegata phyllis

Crocker Range - Neurothemis ramburii

Neurothemis ramburii - male

Crocker Range, Sabah

Seri Manjung - Potamarcha congener

Potamarcha congener - female

Seri Manjung, Perak

Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve - Heliocypha perforata

Heliocypha perforata - male

Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve, Kedah

Seri Manjung - Lathrecista asiatica

Lathrecista asiatica - female

Seri Manjung, Perak 

Crocothemis servilia - Progressive Colour Change Upon Maturity

Progressive Colour Change of Male Crocothemis servilia Upon Maturity

The young male of Crocothemis servilia is yellowish brown in colour. The red colour on eyes, thorax and abdomen develops progressively up maturity. The matured male is definitely more attractive for its bright red colour.

Crocothemis servilia - young male

Crocothemis servilia - male

the red colour is coming out in eyes, thorax and abdomen

Crocothemis servilia - matured male

the red colour is fully developed