Found in Asia: China, Hainan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Viet Nam Photos from: Brunei Darussalam[BN] Cambodia[KH] Indonesia[ID] Malaysia[MY] Philippines[PH] Singapore[SG] Thailand[TH]
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Phuket, the Katu River valley, a gorder of a tropical forest and plantation. (Thailand) on 2009-02-25
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Phuket, the Katu River valley, a gorder of a tropical forest and plantation. (Thailand) on 2009-02-25
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Phuket, the Katu River valley, a gorder of a tropical forest and plantation. (Thailand) on 2009-02-25
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Sabah (Malaysia) on 2007-10-21
These unusual greenish color females are often seen in the field but could not be identified to the species they belong to.
Until a close look at the venation only then realized they are non other then the commonly widespread Orthetrum testaceum.
This is an aging female with white powder (white pruinescence) developed at the lower part of body. Segment 8, 9 and 10 stained with mud that dried up indication she had experienced laying eggs on water not long ago.
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Sabah (Malaysia) on 2007-10-21
Body color patterns of an aging female Orthetrum testaceum is so different to a young female.
These differences in degree of:
1) Body color turn grayish green , where as a young female is bright brown.
2) Wing color turn tan color, where a young male and female all have clear wings.
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Sabah (Malaysia) on 2007-10-21
The variability of color lead to confusion of races and forms.
Without examine this wing venation, it is difficult to conclude that these greenish dragonfly with tan (tea color) wings is actually an Orthetrum testaceum.
Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839) Photo taken in Sabah (Malaysia) on 2007-10-07
A female Orthetrum testaceum.
A female dragonfly comes to the water only when laying eggs and flew away immediately after that. She might return the next day with a second batch of eggs ready for fertilizing and laying.
Female and young male Orthetrum testaceum roost on tree top making them even harder to see.