Libellago lineata

Scientific name: Libellago lineata (Burmeister, 1839)

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Thai name: แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกแคระทาง, แมลงปอเข็มธาราลายเส้น

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Libellago lineata is a small 'bignose' damselfly commonly found in canal, stream, or pond. The male always guard its territory by showing its violet iridescens on tips of forewings and fighting and chasing the intruder. It's very exciting and impressive scene. I found that immature males and females live in vegetatives not much far from water resource. Adult male often perch on dry branches or twigs above the water surface.

male from young to adult stage

Young male is yellow body with black markings. Abdomen is yellow with black midorsal line as shown in photos. Wings is hyaline. Violet iridescent spots on tip of forewings are gradually evident as it ages. Females are like the male but stouter.

female

You can see this species throughout the country. Flight season is all the year in the South and April-December elsewhere.