Genus Anax

The cosmopolitan genus Anax is represented by two species, the Indo-Australian Anax guttatus and Anax panybeus which is also widespread in Asia. Both species are large robust insects with a heavy thorax and broad hindwings. In males as well as females the anal angle of the hindwing is rounded. Older specimens often develop quite a dark brown tint to the wings, concentrated especially near the base of the hindwing.

Anax guttatus is certainly the commonest large dragonfly encountered in Borneo and it frequents almost any deep standing water habitat in open country. Males in particular are active all the day and may be seen hawking up and down drains, across natural lakes, or around dams. The females tend to oviposit in the afternoon, often after dusk. Eggs are inserted into suitable soft living plant tissue, the underside of lily pads being a common choice. They are not overly difficult to capture as they fly quite low and in broad daylight. Nevertheless they are swift and powerful fliers and the best way to net them is to watch as they beat out a regular patrol and, once the flight paths are ascertained, lie concealed in ambush. This can be quite time consuming and sometimes seems scarcely worth the effort for such a common insect; hence they seldom appear in collections in large numbers.

The mature larvae are disproportionately large, highly streamlined and highly aggressive. They often swim actively after prey, especially tadpoles. Very young larvae have a distinct banded pattern. Exuviae are frequently discovered clinging to waterside vegetation around ponds and dams. Anax panybeus is very like guttatus, except that there is a distinct T' on the dorsal part of the frons, (the visible projection at the front of the head in the illustration), and the third abdominal segment is a little more constricted and distinctly longer. The male appendages also differ slightly. It is found in all the same situations as guttatus but is everywhere considerably rarer and more crepuscular in its habits.