The muted colors of damselfly Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)

Last Updated on Sunday, 11 September, 2022 03:48:26 PM

INDEX > Damselflies of Borneo > Family Coenagrionidae > Ischnura senegalensis 水田嬰(青紋細蟌) > The muted colors of damselfly Ischnura senegalensis

This young adult was photographed at 3:22 PM. It might had emerged less than an hour ago. Several species of damselflies in Sabah have been seen emerged in bright sunny day. Most emerge in the afternoon when the temperature of water and surrounding is warmer.
Teneral damselflies (new adults) can be recognized by a glassy sheen of the wings. Their wings have a high shinning gloss as if covered with a layer of cellophane wrap.
Damselflies just emerged lack the vibrant colours of an adult. This is obvious noticeable in the eyes.
When damselflies (and dragonflies) first emerge from their water-borne larval stage, most have very muted colours. Depending on weather conditions, it can take a day or two them to gain their bright adult colour. Damselflies at this time are fragile.

How long does an Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) damselfly get its adult color?

How long do Dragonflies get their adult color?
When dragonflies and damselflies first emerge from their water-borne larval stage, most have very muted colors. Depending on weather conditions, it can take a few to a few days for them to gain their bright adult color.
A male Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) takes only 2 hours to transform from pale greenish to its bright green-black-blue adult color.
Common Blue damselflies are often a pale pinkish-brown rather than sky-blue on first emergence. Some damselflies, Blue-tailed are a good example, undergo a gradual color change as they age. The females have several different color forms, some change from violet to rich brown, others from salmon-pink to blue. Some old females may start to develop the coloration of the males. Examples are Common Darter, which goes from yellow-brown to reddish brown, and Black-tailed Skimmer, which goes from yellow-brown to a bluish-grey.

4 Jan 2007 2:19PM
Newly emerged from exuvia cast skin. Still in its muted colors. 2 green tumors on its wings making it unable to fly

3:50 PM
90 minutes later this young male gain his bright adult color. The 2 jelly-like green tumors still remain

The next day 9:54AM
19 hours later his pale blue abdomen tip has turned sky blue. The 2 green tumors have dried up over the night but leaving scars on both wings clearly visible.