Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842),
the Ground Skimmer, is a small greenish yellow or blue dragonfly with black
markings.
It is quite small, with male sized
in abdomen 19-22mm and hind wing 22-23mm, female in abdomen 18-20mm, hind
wing: 22-24mm.
The mature male is pruinose blue
and has blue eyes. Face is pale azure blue. Eyes are reddish brown above
and pale bluish or yellowish below. Thorax is Greenish yellow or olivaceous.
The dorso-lateral area is violet brown and is speckled with minute dots.
In old adults the thorax is covered with fine blue pruinescence. Legs are
greenish yellow marked with black. Wings are Transparent and wing spot
is dark grey to black. The abdomen is thin, the segments 1-7 greenish yellow
with middorsal and subdorsal black stripes; remaining last three segments
black. In old individuals all markings are obscured by fine blue pruinescence.
The female resembles young or sub
adult male, and has pale greenish yellow markings on its black body. Its
eyes are brown on top and yellow below. Abdominal markings are broader
and continued on to segments 8-10. The 10th segment and anal appendages
are completely yellow. Immature males have the same colouration as
females.
This species is one of the commonest
dragonflies in gardens, fields, playgrounds, etc. and is sometimes found
far away from water source. This dragonfly usually perches on the ground
and rarely flies above 1m. It often flies horizontally very close (~ 10cm)
to the ground. Breeds in muddy puddles, tanks and pond edges.
Diplacodes trivialis is a widespread
species, has a large range in tropical and subtropical Asia and Australasia
occurring from India to China and Japan and southwards to New Guinea and
Australia. It is a widespread and common species that breeds in ponds,
lakes, marshes, irrigation canals, rice fields etc. and is assessed by
IUCN Red List as Least Concern.
References:
http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/dna/organisms/details/696
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/167372
Subramanian, K. A. (2005). Dragonflies
and Damselflies of Peninsular India
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