Exuviae: Anax guttatus - both are female
aquatic habitat: pond
Kajang 2, Kajang, Selangor
Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) are a group of aesthetic aquatic insects. Over 420 species of Odonata have been recorded for Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak). They are waiting for me to explore.
18 August 2026
17 August 2026
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
16 August 2026
15 August 2026
14 August 2026
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
13 August 2026
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
12 August 2026
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
11 August 2026
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
Bandar Baru Bangi - Brachydiplax chalybea
Brachydiplax chalybea - male
Seksyen 3, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
10 August 2026
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
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