Dragonflies & Damselflies of Sri Lanka

A total of 120 Ordonate (Dragonflies & Damselflies) species have been described from Sri Lanka to date. There are few more new species in the process of description (van Der Porten N. & Karen Conniff 2012).  Out of described 120 there are 48 endemic species and additional 8 endemic subspecies. 

	Order : Odonata
	Sub-Order: Zygoptera
	Family: Calopterygidae
1	Species: Neurobasis chinensis chinensis(Linnaeus, 1758) [Oriental Green-wing]	VU
2	Species: Vestalis apicalis nigrescens(Fraser, 1929) [Black-tipped Demoiselle]	VU
	Family: Chlorocyphidae
3	Species: Libellago adami(Fraser, 1939) [Adam's Gem]	VU
4	Species: Libellago finalis(Hagen, 1869) [Ultima Gem]	VU
5	Species: Libellago greeni(Laidlaw, 1924) [Green's Gem]	EN
6	Species: Libellago corbeti(van der Poorten, 2009) [Ebony Gem]	CR
	Faamily: Euphaeidae
7	Species: Euphaea splendens(Hagen, 1853) [Shining Gossamerwing]	NT
	Family: Lestidae
8	Species: Lestes praemorsus decipiens (Kirby, 1893) [Scalloped Spreadwing]	NT
9	Species: Lestes elatus (Selys, 1862) [White-tipped Spreadwing]	LC
10	Species: Lestes malabaricus (Fraser, 1929) [Malabar Spreadwing]	DD
11	Species: Sinhalestes orientalis (Hagen, 1859) [Emerald Sri Lankan Spreadwing]	DD
12	Species: Indolestes divisus (Selys, 1862) [Closed-wing Reedling]	EN
13	Species: Indolestes gracilis gracilis (Selys, 1862) [Mountain Reedling]	VU
	Family: Coenagrionidae
14	Species: Agriocnemis femina femina (Brauer, 1868) [White-backed Wisp]	CR
15	Species: Agriocnemis pygmaea pygmaea (Rambur, 1842) [Wandering Wisp]	LC
16	Species: Mortonagrion ceylonicum (Lieftinck, 1971) [Sri Lanka Midget]	EN
17	Species: Onychargia atrocyana (Selys, 1865) [Marsh Dancer]	VU
18	Species: Paracercion malayanum (Selys, 1876) [Malay Lilysquatter]	LC
19	Species: Amphiallagma parvum (Selys, 1876) [Little Blue]	DD
20	Species: Aciagrion occidentale (Laidlaw, 1919) [Asian Slim]	VU
21	Species: Ischnura aurora aurora (Brauer, 1865) [Dawn Bluetail]	NT
22	Species: Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) [Common Bluetail]	LC
23	Species: Ceriagrion cerinorubellum (Brauer, 1866) [Painted Waxtail]	VU
24	Species: Ceriagrion coromandelianum ( Fabricius, 1798) [Yellow Waxtail]	LC
25	Species: Pseudagrion malabaricum (Fraser, 1924) [Malabar Sprite]	LC
26	Species: Pseudagrion microcephalum (rambur, 1842) [Blue Sprite]	LC
27	Species: Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) [Azure Sprite](*2)	DD
28	Species: Pseudagrion rubriceps ceylonicum (Kirby, 1891) [Sri Lanka Orange-faced Sprite]	LC
29 E	Species: Archibasis lieftincki (Conniff & Bedjanic 2013) [Lieftinck’s Sprite]
30	Species: Archibasis oscillans hanwellanensis (Conniff & Bedjanic 2013) [Lieftinck’s Sprite]
	Family: Platycnemididae
31	Species: Copera marginipes [Yellow Featherleg/Rimmed Featherleg]	LC
	Family: Platysticidae
32	Species: Ceylonosticta adami (Fraser, 1933) [Adam's Shadowdamsel]	CR
33	Species: Ceylonosticta austeni (Lieftinck, 1940) [Austin's Shadowdamsel]	CR
34	Species: Drepanosticta brincki (Lieftinck, 1971) [Brinck's Shadowdamsel]	CR
35	Species: Ceylonosticta digna (selys, 1860) [Nobel Shadowdamsel]	CR
36	Species: Ceylonosticta hilaris (Selys, 1860) [Merry Shadowdamsel]	CR
37	Species: Ceylonosticta lankanensis (Fraser, 1931) [Drooping Shadowdamsel]	CR
38	Species: Ceylonosticta montana (Selys, 1860) [Dark Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel]	CR
39	Species: Ceylonosticta nietneri (Fraser, 1931) [Nietner's Shadowdamsel]	CR
40	Species: Ceylonosticta submontana (Fraser, 1933) [Bordered Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel]	CR
41	Species: Ceylonosticta tropica (Selys, 1860) [Drak-shouldered Cornuted Shadowdamsel]	CR
42	Species: Ceylonosticta subtropica (Fraser, 1933) [Blue-shouldered Cornuted Shadowdamsel]	CR
43	Species: Ceylonosticta walli (Fraser, 1931) [Wall's Shadowdamsel]	CR
44	Species: Ceylonosticta anamia (Bedjanic 2010) [Ana Mia's Shadowdamsel]	CR
45	Species: Ceylonosticta bine (Bedjanic 2010) [Bine's Shadowdamsel]	CR
46	Species: Ceylonosticta mojca (Bedjanic 2010)[Mojca's Shadowdamsel]	CR
47	Species: Ceylonosticta mirifica
48	Species: Ceylonosticta inferioreducta
49	Species: Platysticta apicalis (Kirby, 1893) [Dark Forestdamsel]	EN
50	Species: Platysticta maculata(Selys, 1860) [Blurry Forestdamsel]	EN
51	Species: Platysticta secreta
52	Species: Platysticta serendibica(Serendib Forestdamsel)
	Family: Protoneuridae
53	Species: Elattoneura oculata (formerly bigemmata) (Lieftinck, 1971) [Two-spotted Threadtail]	EN
54	Species: Elattoneura caesia (Selys, 1860) [Jungle Threadtail]	VU
55	Species: Elattoneura centralis (Selys, 1860) [Dark-glittering Threadtail]	VU
56	Species: Elattoneura leucostigma (Fraser, 9313) [Smoky-winged Threadtail]	CR
57	Species: Elattoneura tenax (Selys, 1860) [Red-stripped Threadtail]	EN
58	Species: Prodasineura sita (Kirby, 1893) [Striped-headed Threadtail]	LC
	Sub _Order: Anisoptera
	Family: Gomphidae
59	Species: Anisogomphus ceylonicus (Hagen, 1878) [Sri Lankna Clubtail]	DD
60	Species: Burmagomphus pyramidalis sinuatus (Fraser, 1933) [Sinuate Clubtail]	CR
61	Species: Cyclogomphus gynostylus (Fraser, 1925) [Transvestite Clubtail]	CR
62	Species: Megalogomphus ceylonicus (Laidlaw, 1922) [Sri Lanka Sabretail]	EN
63	Species: Paragomphus henryi (Campion & Laidlaw, 1928) [Brook Hooktail]	EN
64	Species: Paragomphus campestris(Bedjanic, 2013) [Lowland Hooktail]
65	Species: Heliogomphus lyratus (Fraser, 1933) [Lyrate Grappletail]	CR
66	Species: Heliogomphus nietneri (Selys, 1878) [Nietner's Grappletail]	DD
67	Species: Heliogomphus walli (Fraser, 1925) [Wall's Grappletail]	EN
68	Species: Macrogomphus lankanensis (Fraser, 1933) [Sri Lanka Forktail]	EN
69	Species: Macrogomphus annulatus keiseri (Lieftinck, 1955) [Keiser's Forktail]	DD
70	Species: Microgomphus wijaya (Lieftinck, 1940) [Wijaya's Scissortail]	EN
71	Species: Gomphidia pearsoni (Fraser, 1933) [Rivulet Tiger]	EN
72	Species: Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) [Rapacious Flangetail]	LC
	Family: Aeshnidae
73	Species: Anax guttatus (Burmeister, 1839) [Pale-spotted Emperor]	LC
74	Species: Anax immaculifrons (Rambur, 1842) [Fiery Emperor]	VU
75	Species: Anax indicus (Lieftinck, 1942) [Elephant Emperor]	LC
76	Species: Anax tristis (Hagen, 1867) [Black Emperor](*3)	DD
77	Species: Anax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839) [Vagrant Emperor]	DD
78	Species: Gynacantha dravida (Lieftinck, 1960) [Indian Duskhawker]	NT
79	Species: Anaciaeshna donaldi (Fraser, 1922) [Dark Hawker]	CR
	Family: Corduliidae
80	Species: Epophthalmia vittata cyanocephala (Hagen, 1866) [Blue-eyed Pondcruiser]	NT
81	Species: Macromia flinti (Lieftinck, 1977) [Flint's Cruiser]	DD
82	Species: Macromia zeylanica (Fraser, 1927) [Sri Lanka Cruiser]	CR
83	Species: Macromidia donaldi pethiyagodai (van der Poorten 2012)[Forest Shadow-emerald]
	Family: Libellulidae
84	Species: Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi fruhstorferi(Karsch, 1889) [Fruhstofer's Junglewatcher]	CR
85	Species: Tetrathemis yerburyi (Kirby, 1893) [Yerbury's Elf]	EN
86	Species: Brachydiplax sobrina (Rambur, 1842) [Sombre Lieutenant]	LC
87	Species: Cratilla lineata calverti (Forster, 1903) [Pale-faced Forestskimmer]	EN
88	Species: Lathrecista asiatica asiatica (Fabricius, 1798) [Pruinosed Bloodtail]	NT
89	Species: Lyriothemis defonsekai (Van der Poorten, 2009b).[Vermilion Forester]	CR
90	Species: Orthetrum chrysis (Selys, 1891) [Spine-tufted Skimmer]	VU
91	Species: Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865) [Asian Skimmer]	NT
92	Species: Orthetrum luzonicum(Brauer, 1868) [Marsh Skimmer]	NT
93	Species: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum(Rambur, 1842) [Pink Skimmer]	NT
94	Species: Orthetrum sabina sabina(Drury, 1770) [Green Skimmer]	LC
95	Species: Orthetrum triangulare triangulare(Selys, 1878) [Triangle Skimmer]	EN
96	Species: Potomarcha congener(Rambur, 1842) [Blue Pursuer]	LC
97	Species: Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides(Rambur, 1842) [Asian Pintail]	LC
98	Species: Brachythemis contaminata(Fabricius, 1793) [Asian Groundling/Orange-winged Groundling]	LC
99	Species: Bradinopyga geminata(Rambur, 1842) [Indian Rockdweller]	LC
100	Species: Crocothemis servilgia(Drury, 1770) [Oriental Scarlet]	LC
101	Species: Diplacodes nebulosa(Fabricius, 1793) [Black-tipped Percher]	NT
102	Species: Diplacodes trivialis(Rambur, 1842) [Blue Percher]	LC
103	Species: Indothemis carnatica(Fabricius, 1798) [Light-tipped Demon]	NT
104	Species: Indothemis limbata sita(Campion, 1923) [Restless Demon]	NT
105	Species: Neurothemis intermedia intermedia(Rambur, 1842) [Paddyfield Parasol]	NT
106	Species: Neurothemis tullia tullia(Drury, 1773) [Pied Parasol]	LC
107	Species: Rhodothemis rufa(Rambur, 1842) [Spine-legged Redbolt]	NT
108	Species: Sympetrum fonscolombei(Selys, 1840) [Red-veined Darter]	EN
109	Species: Trithemis aurora(Burmeister, 1839) [Crimson Dropwing/Dawn Dropwing]	LC
110	Species: Trithemis festiva(Rambur, 1842) [Indigo Dropwing]	VU
111	Species: Trithemis pallidinervis(Kirby, 1889) [Dancing Dropwing]	NT
112	Species: Onychothemis testacea ceylanica(Ris, 1912) [Aggressive Riverhawk]	EN
113	Species: Rhyothemis triangularis(Kirby, 1889) [Sapphire Fluterer]	VU
114	Species: Rhyothemis variegata variegata(Linnaeus, 1763) [Variegated Flutterer]	LC
115	Species: Hydrobasileus croceus(Brauer, 1867) [Amber-winged Glider ]	NT
116	Species: Pantala flavescens(Fabricius, 1798) [Wandering Glider]	LC
117	Species: Tramea basilaris burmeisteri(Kirby, 1889) [Burmeister's Glider]	VU
118	Species: Tramea limbata(Desjardins, 1832) [Sociable Glider]	LC
119	Species: Tholymis tillarga(Fabricius, 1798) [Foggy-winged Twister]	LC
120	Species: Zyxomma petiolatum(Rambur, 1842) [Dingy Duskflyer]	NT
121	Species: Aethriamanta brevipennis(Rambur, 1842) [Elusive Adjutant]	LC
122	Species: Macrodiplax cora(Brauer, 1867) [Coastal Pennant]	VU
123	Species: Urothemis signata signata(Rambur, 1842) [Scarlet Basker]	LC
124	Species: Zygonyx iris ceylonicus(Kirby, 1905) [Sri Lanka Cascader]	VU

CR Critically Endangered
EN Endangered
VU Vulnerable
NT Near Threatened 
LC Least Concern
DD Data deficient 

Notes:

• Palpopleura s. sexmaculata is no longer considered as a valid dragonfly species inhabit in Sri Lanka( van der Poorten, N. 2011). 
• (*2) - Presence of Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) in Sri Lanka was confirmed with photographic evidence obtained from Giant’s Tank by G. de Silva Wijeyeratne in 2006. (Van der Poorten N. 2012)
• (*3) - Single record with specimen from Colombo May 1928 (Van der Poorten N. 2012)
• de Fonseka listed 7 more species (Aciagrion hisopa (Selys, 1876), Cyclogomphus heterostylus (Selys,1854), Neurothemis fulvia (Drury, 1773), Neurothemis fluctuans (Fabricius, 1793), Trithemis kirby kirby(Selys, 1891), Rhyothemis obsolescens (Kirby, 1889) and Rhyothemis phyllis phyllis (Sulzer, 1776)) that their occurrence in the country is doubtful or they have not been recorded from here yet but are likely to be found.  
• Drepanosticta sinhalensis (Lieftinck, 1971) - [Bedjanic, 2012] [Sinhalese Shadowdamsel] and Drepanosticta starmuhlneri (St. Quentin, 1972) - [Bedjanic, 2009] [Starmuhlner's Shadowdamsel] are now considered as synonymy of Drepanosticta lankanensis (Fraser, 1931) [Drooping Shadowdamsel] and Drepanosticta fraseri (Lieftinck, 1955) - [Bedjanic, 2012] [Fraser's Shadowdamsel] as synonymy  of Drepanosticta submontana (Fraser, 1933) [Bordered Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel]
• Also Disparoneura ramajana (Lieftinck, 1971) - [Bedjanic 2012] [Ramajana Bambootail] is synonymy of Elattoneura leucostigma (Fraser, 1933) [Smoky-winged Threadtail]

Literature cited:

 bedjanic M. 2006. Current Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation of Dragonfly Fauna (Insecta:   Odonata) of Sri lanka IN: The    fauna of Sri lanka:  status of taxonomy, research and conservation. IUCN, Sri lanka: 20-34.


bedjanic, M. 2013 Paragomphus Campestris Spec.Nov., A New endemic dragonfly from Sri Lanka (Ansoptera:Gomphidae) Odonatologica 42(1): 45-53 March 1, 2013 (http://www.rufford.org/files/Odonatologica%2042(1)%2045-53%20March%201,%202013.pdf)

Bedjaniĉ, M., 2012. On the synonymy of three endemic dragonfly species from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Platystictidae, Protoneuridae). Notulae odonatologicae 7(9): 77–80.

Bedjanič, M., 2010. Three new Drepanosticta species from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Odonatologica 39(3): 195-215.

Bedjanič, M., 2009. Drepanosticta starmuehlneri St. Quentin, 1972 from Sri Lanka, a synonym of D. lankanensis (Fraser, 1931) (Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Notulae Odonatologicae 7(4): 38-39.

     hämäläinen, M., M. Bedjanič and N. van der Poorten, 2009. Libellago indica (Fraser, 1928) deleted from the list of Sri Lankan Odonata (Chlorocyphidae), Echo 6: 3-5 (published in Agrion 13(1)).

     van der Poorten, N., 2009a. Libellago corbeti sp. nov. from Sri Lanka (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae).  International Journal of Odonatology 12 (2): 223-230, pl. V

     van der Poorten, N., 2009b. Lyriothemis defonsekai spec. nov. from Sri Lanka, with a review of the known species of the genus (Anisoptera: Libellulidae). Odonatologica 38(1): 15-27.

    van der Poorten, N. 2011, Palpopleura s. sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1787) deleted from the list of Odonates of Sri Lanka (Libellulidae), Agrion Newsletter of  the worldwide dragonfly association, Volume 15, Number 2 

van der Poorten, N., 2012a. Macromidia donaldi pethiyagodai subsp. nov. from Sri Lanka (Odonata: Corduliidae), International Journal of Odonatology 15 (2): 99-106.

van der Poorten, N., 2012. Corrigenda and Addenda to Terence de Fonseka's Dragonflies of Sri Lanka.


van Der Porten N. & Karen Conniff 2012.The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of the Dragonfly Fauna (Insecta: Odonata) of Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka;Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds.,Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1-11 pp


References:

bedjanic, M.,  K. Conniff & G. |de Silva Wijeyeratne, 2007, Gehan's photo guide: Dragonflies of Sri Lanka. Jetwing Eco Holidays, Colombo 248p.

de Fonseka, T. (2000). The dragonflies of Sri Lanka. Wildlife Heritage Trust: Colombo. 304 p. 

http://www.srilankaninsects.net/Dragonflies/Dragonflies.htm