08. Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)

Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)

Number: 08

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Brachythemis  

Species: Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)

Common name: Ditch jewel

Habitat: Lakes and ponds, riverside  

Distribution: Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong 

Abundance: Common 

Flight season: April - November

This beautiful dragonflies is one of the most abundant dragonfly of Bangladesh. They lived in good numbers nearby ponds and water bodies.  

                                    Male

Length of the abdomen ranges from 21.0-23 mm, red colored. The head is brown, wings transparent, reddish amber extends over the nodal area, pterostigma red. Legs black. Abdominal segments are red, black dorsal stripe present in the abdominal segments. Caudal appendages reddish.     

Female

Females are similar in size and shape of male, bright colored. Unlike male their wings are completely transparent, pterostigma yellow. Bold, black dorsal stripe present throughout the abdomen. Female can be easily identified by their distinguished anal appendages.