Bottom view of the terminal segments of an adult female Oligoaeschna foliacea.
1) Lam - the basal plate of ovipositor (lamina valvarum)
2) V2 - second valves of ovipositor (valvulae 2)
3) V3 - third valves of ovipositor (valvulae 3)
4) Stylus - a pair of thin needle like stylus that serves as sensor in egg positioning;
5) Spiky Anal Base - Anal base at the last segment with sharp spike that perhaps serves as anchor to stabilize the abdomen while the ovipositor is inserting eggs into plant.
Oligoaeschna foliacea most frequently found in swampy alluvial forests in the lowlands.
The black tire background of this photo is the jetty of Sri Aman Town located at the lower Lupar River in Malaysia.
Female Oligoaeschna foliacea.
Wings - the two main visual differences between wings of Male and Female are :
1) Wings color - This females have extensive semi-hyaline reddish-brown patches while a male's wings are uniformly colored in pale amber.
2) Hindwing Base - Female's hindwing base is round while Male's are pointed.
The measurement of the female is :
- Front wing span is 9 cm
- Body length is 6 cm not including the appendage.
This Female Oligoaeschna foliacea's appendages still intact.
Female appendages normally break off with mating. When intact the female appendages are long and very broadly paddle-shaped with a thin stalk. The function of these long racquet like appendage curious structures is unknown.
This female has been identified using Fraser, 1936 as Oligoaeschna martini - not modigliana. The close-up of the face and upper thorax are useful for ID.