a sketch of the anal appendages of Tyriobapta kuekenthali (lateral view; left side)
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.
29 August 2025
28 August 2025
Exuvia - Pseudagrion microcephalum
Pseudagrion microcephalum - male
Kajang, Selangor
click here to see the adult of Pseudagrion microcephalum
27 August 2025
Pseudagrion microcephalum - Submerged Oviposition
I spotted a tandem pair of Pseudagrion microcephalum laying eggs at a pond at late afternoon. While the female was laying eggs above the surface water (on aquatic plant) with the male still attached in tandem to it, a male Brachythemis contaminata came suddenly to grab (preying) the male Pseudagrion microcephalum. So, the Pseudagrion microcephalum male was detached from the female. However, the female was untouched by the sudden act, and remaining at the same spot continuing to perform egg-laying. After a while, the female submerged into water to continue laying eggs (see below photos). At one time, the whole body including the wings was totally under the water.
26 August 2025
Larva - Pseudagrion microcephalum
The normal aquatic habitat for Pseudagrion microcephalum is open ponds or open marshes. I have seen frequently the larval emergence of P. microcephalum took place at late afternoon. Below photo shows a larva of P. microcephalum out of water on a waterlily leaf ready for larval emergence. The photo was taken around 5.30 pm at a pond.
Pseudagrion microcephalum - male
ready for larval emergence
Kajang, Selangor
click here to see the adult of Pseudagrion microcephalum
Exuvia - Pseudagrion microcephalum
Pseudagrion microcephalum - male
Kajang, Selangor
click here to see the adult of Pseudagrion microcephalum
24 August 2025
Pseudagrion australasiae vs Pseudagrion microcephalum
The blue markings of the male individuals of Pseudagrion australasiae and Pseudagrion microcephalum are quite similar to each other. However, Pseudagrion australasiae is slightly larger than Pseudagrion microcephalum. Apart from that, their anal appendages are different as shown in the diagram below:
Anal appendages (left lateral view). Top is Pseudagrion australasiae and bottom is Pseudagrion microcephalum.
23 August 2025
Aciagrion borneense Preyed by Spider
A freshly emerged male individual of Aciagrion borneense is preyed by a spider.
Aciagrion borneense - male
Kajang, Selangor
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