Compare a teneral Neurothemis terminata and a matured Neurothemis terminata

a teneral Neurothemis terminata a matured Neurothemis terminata
Photographed on 17 March 2007 8:00 AM

Merotai Besar

Photographed on : 1 July 2007

Tawau Sports Complex river bank




The anal appendages (claspers) of a the male Dragonflies used to clasp the female around the head during mating and when in tandem.

The superior (upper) appendages is in a pair.

Note that when immature the appendages have dark tips and lighten when matured.


Dragonflies can beat their four wings at different speeds thus allows them to fly in any direction and also to hover in the air  like a helicopter.

The 4 confusing Neurothemis species in Malaysia are easily mixed up by their similar red color and pattern.

But the Neurothemis terminate is easier to separate from others by their wing tip pattern. Neurothemis terminate hind wing red area margin is straight and perpendicular to the wing margin.



All Neurothemis can be distinguished from other red dragonflies by the shape of the "triangles" in the front and rear wings. Above are the triangle in front wings.

 


Dragonfly families and species are often distinguished by the pattern of veins in their wings. Anal loop of  male Neurothemis terminata is 'Africa' shape.  Toe of anal loop complete, separated from hind wing margin by a 2 to 4  small marginal cells


Neurothemis terminata not only has red wings and read abdomen, the face is also red.


 


 

 


   

   

   

   

INDEX : Dragonfly     September 26, 2016 08:15:16 PM