Agrionoptera insignis insignis (Rambur, 1842) 紅仙蜻蜓

common name : red swampdragon

A red Female Agrionoptera insignis from Bukit Gemok, Sabah

For the last one year I came across several female A. insignis in 3 different colors:
1) Red abdomen ( such as this one)
2) Light brown abdomen
3) Dark brown abdomen (such as next photo)

This female whole body length is 43mm, front wing span is 74mm

A dark brown female Agrionoptera insignis

This female whole body length is only 39 mm and front wing span is 68mm

The size is smaller then usual and color darker. This probable is a sub species as mentioned in Dr. Orr guide book.

Female Agrionoptera insignis's ovipositor has a unique claw like 'U' shape Vulvar lamina (subgenital plate).
 

Eggs are laid in small batches by dropping into water one batch a time in quick succession. Sticky substance of the eggs keeps the eggs hold each other together.

Like other insects female dragonflies always lay large amounts of eggs to ensure that at least some will survive into adult dragonflies.

A pair of strong transparent wings of a male Agrionoptera insignis. Colorless with only a small patch of brown at the wing base.

This is an aging (old) male Agrionoptera insignis because the color of thorax has turn to all gray with no more yellow marks . When young the thorax has bright yellow marks.

The Vertex (a plate bearing three simple eyes, ocelli) is a unique horn shape instead of the common round shape.

A matured young Agrionoptera insignis. The yellow marks on the thorax are irregular in outline. As this dragonfly aged the yellow marks on the thorax will darken and merged into one dark color of the thorax.

The Epiproct (inferior appendage) is as long as the pair of Cerci (superior appendages)

Nesoxenia lineata  is a rather small species ( hw, 27-28 mm) widespread in the Oriental region. It occurs in pristine alluvial forest where males sit on twigs guarding pools, remaining motionless for long periods. It is local and rather uncommon.
 

Agrionoptera insignis and Nesoxenia lineata these two species can be easily separated with practice: N. lineata males have a somewhat flattened abdomen and well defined yellow stripes on the thorax; A. insignis males have a thinner abdomen, more intensely red especially at the base, and the yellow marks on the thorax are irregular in outline.

The females of both species are larger and quite different from the males but the same differences in -thoracic markings apply.

A male Agrionoptera insignis insignis (Rambur, 1842)
An Agrionoptera insignis has attractive head capsule with metallic blue frons (front of the head), a white labrum (upper part of the mouth) and yellow librium (lower part of the mouth).

How many degree can you swing you head backward ? 45 degree ! Good that you have a flexible head like a dragonfly. Agrionoptera insignis can turn their heads 45 degree upward while cleaning their head with front legs.

Despite chewing and swallowing juicy insects, Agrionoptera insignis always keep their lips (labrum and Librium) clean as white as snow.

Here, this dragonfly is grooming his head with front  legs
 

I love TV series ‘Believe it or Not’ with incredible human being performing extraordinary acts and skills.

Here in nature, this Agrionoptera insignis perform in front of me an almost 90 degree swing upward of it head …...with a smile. An act very few other insects can do.

Photo left : Grooming his eyes  with front  legs

参考文献:　石田昇三・石田勝義・小島圭三・杉村光俊,　1988.　日本産トンボ幼虫・成虫検索図説.　東海大学出版会,　東京.
渡辺賢一・小浜継雄,　1986.　沖縄のトンボ.　沖縄県立博物館,　那覇.

NEW INDEX : Dragonfly     May 16, 2008 11:23:20 AM