Tetrathemis platyptera explained

Tetrathemis platyptera, the pigmy skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries and locally common over much of its range.^[1]

Description and habitat

It is a small dragonfly with yellow face and bluish green eyes. Its thorax and abdomen are yellow with broad black marks. Its wings are transparent, with fore-wings faintly and hind-wings broadly tinted with yellow at the bases. Females are similar to males.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

It breeds in vegetated ponds and wells. The female stabs her eggs onto dry twigs hanging over water. The eggs hatch out in rains and the naiads fall directly into the water below.^{[2] [5] [6]}

See also

• List of odonates of Sri Lanka
• List of odonates of India
• List of odonata of Kerala

Notes and References

1. Book: K.A. . Subramanian . K.G. . Emiliyamma . R. . Babu . C. . Radhakrishnan . S.S. . Talmale . Atlas of Odonata (Insecta) of the Western Ghats, India . 2018 . Zoological Survey of India . 978-81-8171-495-4. 379–380.
2. Web site: Tetrathemis platyptera Selys, 1878. India Biodiversity Portal. 2024-03-05.
3. Web site: Tetrathemis platyptera Selys, 1878. Odonata of India, v. 1.00. Indian Foundation for Butterflies. 2017-02-17.
4. Book: C FC Lt. Fraser. Frederic Charles Fraser. The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata Vol. III. Taylor and Francis. Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London. 1936. 250–251.
5. Records of the Indian Museum. 26. F.C. Fraser. Frederic Charles Fraser. A Survey of the Odonate (Dragonfly) Fauna of Western India and Descriptions of Thirty New Species. 1924. 423-522. Internet Archive. 2024-03-05.
6. S. Foerster . Oviposition high above water in Micrathyria dictynna Ris (Anisoptera:Libellulidae). Odonatologica . 27 . 3. 365–369 . research.steffenfoerster.com . 1998. 17 February 2017 .