Cratilla lineata lineata (Brauer, 1878) 线纹蜻蜓

http://www.asia-dragonfly.net

 

Found in Asia: China, Guangxi, Hainan, Indonesia, Lao, Myanmar, Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia
 

Genus : Cratilla

Super-Family: LIBELLULOIDEA Family: LIBELLULIDAE


This male Cratilla lineate thorax lacked the defined yellow lateral stripe. Very likely because of aging as can be seen the lower thorax has become pruinose, with a blue powdery bloom.

The definitive coloration of adults is acquired slowly with maturation, and individuals that are not yet mature may not be fully colored. Male dragonflies on territory at the water or individuals of either sex engaged in reproductive behavior will surely be mature. Some adults become pruinose, with a blue or whitish powdery bloom that covers parts of the body.

Vertex and frons are metallic-blue reflections. The vertex plat has a pair of short horns

Secondary Copularoty Aapparatus on the segment 2 of a male Cratilla lineate.

This adult has become pruinose  with a whitish powdery bloom covering lower  parts of the body.

This male has completely clear wings.  But I also saw same species with 2 different types of wing color: One with small tinged brown tip and another one with all wings tinged brown.

This hind wing length is 36mm

Total hind wing span is  76mm

Total body length is 48mm


Above : A lonely male Cratilla lineata perch for long periods awaiting females at a monsoon shallow drain.

Cratilla lineata is similar but smaller and lighter then Cratilla metallica.  Robust build and deep metallic-green ground color on the thorax.  The looks is similar to Cratilla metallica but the color is duller in coloration and lacks the dark tips to the wings and abdomen  darker and narrower.

This species is found  in closed forest and forested swamps 0-1100 m and in small shallow pools.

Cratilla lineata Male hw 36-38 mm. Female hw 38-40 mm; 

Larvae of Cratilla spp. are very similar, but those of lineata occur in a wider range of standing water forest habitats.

Several subspecies of Cratilla lineata occur throughout eastern tropical Asia.


 
 

The dull color of thorax and pattern of the 3 yellow marks are different from those Cratilla lineate in Taiwan. Likely this one is a tropical subspecies.
 


Cratilla lineata is robust build and deep metallic-green ground color on the thorax

 


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

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