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Heliogomphus walli
fjd,aia .%emaf,fÜ,a
thy;]; ¢whg;gy;nla;y;
Fraser, 1925 Endemic
124
125
Sri Lanka Forktail
Macrogomphus lankanensis
YS% ,xld f*dlafÜ,a
= yq;fh /Nghh;f;nla;y;
Fraser, 1933 Endemic
126
127
Wijaya’s Scissortail
Microgomphus wijaya
úchdia isi¾fÜ,a
å[a]; ¤]h;nla;y;
Lieftinck, 1940 Endemic
128
129
Rivulet Tiger
Gomphidia pearsoni
ßjqf,Ü ghs.¾
wpt;êyl; ilfh;
Fraser, 1933 Endemic
Male The very large size, dark green eyes and extensive
black colouration with bright yellow markings on head,
thorax and abdomen expanded from segment 8 and
tapering to anal appendages are unmatched in any
other Sri Lankan species.
130
131
Rapacious Flangetail
Ictinogomphus rapax
/fmaIshia *a,eka.fÜ,a
wNg~]; /ßshd;[;nla;y;
(Rambur, 1842)
132
133
Hawkers (Aeshnidae)
Hawkers deserve their name because of their
powerful predation skills, speed and elegance in air.
They are also called darners in reference to their
long needle-like abdomens. All six species found in
Sri Lanka show wider distribution. Vagrant Emperor
Anax ephippiger occurs as far as central Europe and
Africa.
Fiery Emperor
Anax immaculifrons
*shß tïmr
/gpawp vk;ngwu;
(Rambur, 1842)
136
Oviposition
137
Elephant Emperor
Anax indicus
t,s*kaÜ tïmr
vypgd;l; vk;ngwu;
Lieftinck, 1942
138
139
Vagrant Emperor
Anax ephippiger
je.arkaÜ tïmr
thf;udl; vk;ngwh;
(Burmeister, 1839)
140
Copula
141
Indian Duskhawker
Gynacantha dravida
bkaÈhka vialafydl¾
,e;jpad; l];f; N`hf;fu;
Lieftinck, 1960
142
143
Dark Hawker
Anaciaeschna donaldi
vdla fydl¾
lhu;f; N`hf;fu;
Fraser, 1922
144
Juvenile
145
Emeralds (Corduliidae)
Two genera with three endemic species from this
family of medium to large size dragonflies are found
in Sri Lanka. They have emerald eyes when matured
and a metallic green or blackish body with yellow
markings. Emeralds are restless flyers and are only
rarely seen when at rest; usually hanging vertically
suspended from a branch.
Blue-eyed Pondcruiser
Epophthalmia vittata cyanocephala
í¨ whsia fmdkaâl%Di¾
g;@-ma;l; nghd;l; f;&]u;
(Hagen, 1867) Endemic
Male Large size and swift flight along the edges of ponds
and tanks is one clue to the identity of this species.
Head is large with globular blue eyes and metallic
blue frons and vesicle making it easy to spot. Body is
reddish-brown with a metallic dark green sheen.
148
149
Sri Lanka Cruiser
Macromia zeylanica
YS% ,xld l%Di¾
= yq;fh f;&]u;
Fraser, 1927 Endemic
150
151
Chasers, Perchers,
& Skimmers (Libellulidae)
This highly diverse group exhibits a variety of colours,
wing patterns and shape and size of abdomens. Males
are often brightly coloured in shades of red or pruinosed
blue, whereas females are less conspicuous and rarely
seen with mostly yellow and brown tones. Altogether
40 species of Chasers, Perchers and Skimmers live in
Sri Lanka. They have a wider distribution in India and
SE Asia; only three are endemic in Sri Lanka. Because
of their vivid appearance and habit of perching for a
long time, they make great objects for observation
and photography.
Fruhstorfer’s Junglewatcher
Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi fruhstorferi
*areiafgd*¾ia cka.,afjdp¾
/g;&];Nuhgu|;]; [q;fps;; thl;r;ru;
(Karsch, 1889) Endemic
154