Copera vittata

Found in Asia: Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand

A newly emerged female Copera vittata in pale whitish 'ghost' forms.

This female was still in the process of expending her abdomen when I get near to her forcing her to made her maiden flight earlier then she should.

Here as seen in the photo, the abdomen length is not yet reaching the maximum length yet but in a minutes or so the abdomen length will reach its full length which is almost double the length of the wing.

When fully matured, her color will be darken from this temporary pale reddish to soft black of warm feeling.

Copera vittata can be easily identify by its bright orange long legs and ‘untidy’ marking on the thorax. This is the only damselfly species in my area that does not have a ‘neat’ looking marking.

Copera vittata may look dainty but highly alert that very difficult to get close enough to get a close up image. They are common and widespread in Sabah and can be easily missed because only when they started flying we then notice they are around.

Copera vittata a slender and dainty damselfly with variegated pattern of greenish yellow maculation on synthorax. Unique in legs' orange red color.

There are several variants (or may be separate sub species)
Found in sluggish channels and shallow pools in swampy forest. Widespread in South Asian countries of India, Thailand, Indonesia (tropical Asia). Unseen in China and Japan (North Asia)

Copera vittata remain in tendom for long period of time before and during ovipositing.

The male has a long and powerful Inferior anal appendage (lower pair of long appendage in the photo with black mark)

A female Copera vittata.

This species of damselfly is common in swampy forested habitat.
But a female is easily missed because female damselfly generally much less impressive or conspicuous and their activities mostly in shaded areas of near by trees.

A closer look. Damselflies are more cooperative photographic subjects than dragonflies.

Color of female by nature is not as brilliant as the male. This female Copera vittatais a good example.

Here are index to damselflies sorted according to colour for our quick identification:

Out of the global 10 families of damselflies, the following 7 families are found in Borneo Island :

Damselfly head include :
1- compound eyes,
2- ocelli,
3- antennae,
4- mouth structures

Dragonflies of Borneo
"With 275 named species so far recorded in Borneo, the island has one of the richest and most exciting dragonfly faunas in the world. More than 40% of species occur nowhere else, making it the most distinctive sub-region of Sundaland." A Guide to the Dragonflies of Borneo by Albert G. Orr

GO FURTHER

Dragonflies of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore

Dragonflies are among the most beautiful of insects. Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore are home to more than 230 species (twice the number found in Europe). They include some of the most exquisite forms found anywhere in the World.

FLORA

Fig trees of Sabah

Borneo has 150 species of wild fig trees. Most of them are found in forests of Sabah.

FISHERIES

Tiger Prawn Farms in Tawau

Prawn farming is a main commercial activities in Tawau. Spawners from Tawau are graded the best in Malaysia. For decades, Tawau has been exporting high-grade tiger prawns to several countries such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Egypt and Australia.

A Guide to Common Spiders in BORNEO ISLAND