Lestes praemorsus decipiens Kirby, 1893 隱紋絲蟌

http://sjl.csie.chu.edu.tw

Other blue damselflies of Sabah :

Elattoneura coomansi	Euphaea impar	Rhinocypha humeralis	Rhinocypha aurofulgens

Ischnura senegalensis	Lestes praemorsus decipiens	Libellago semiopaca	Xiphiagrion cyanomelas

A male Lestes praemorsus decipiens Kirby, 1893. Perching with wings half open, a physically unique from normal damselflies.
Though geographically wide spread in tropical Asia but quantity very few to find. Making it more difficult to see is its habit of perching vertically while other damselflies are more easily seen standing horizontally.

Lestes praemorsus decipiens have a hockey-stick-shape abdomen. They like dandling with their long thin hockey abdomens as if practicing golfing. These ‘Golf-lovers’ should be easily seen beside the tropical ponds and lakes of the many Golf courses in Sabah.

From the very first time I saw a Lestes praemorsus decipiens last year, I love this damselfly for its soft and warm feeling. Very different to other damselflies that are smooth and shinning to the eyes.
A close look gave the explanation why. Lestes praemorsus decipiens are wearing a layer of thick short fur covering the whole body from head, thorax to abdomen like those warm blooded animals. Other damselflies are having a layer of plastic-like smooth skin with sharp long hairs.

The same male Lestes praemorsus decipiens of previous 3 pictures.
Last 3 sections (section 8, 9, 10) of the abdomen. The abdomen, as well as head and thorax, is covered with a layer of thick short fur. This outlook gives Lestes praemorsus decipiens a soft and warm feeling to the eyes which is different with the smooth and shinning look of other damselflies and dragonflies.