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Dragonflies & Damselflies of Sri Lanka

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Dragonflies & Damselflies of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot for dragonflies and damselflies, with 132 recorded species, of which 59 species and 8 subspecies are endemic to the island. This high level of endemism is linked to the island’s wide range of freshwater habitats—from lowland wetlands to montane streams.

Dragonflies play a vital ecological role as indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems and as natural predators of mosquitoes and other insects. This section features photographs of Sri Lanka’s diverse dragonfly fauna, offering a closer look at one of the island’s most fascinating and often overlooked insect groups.

Asian slim(Aciagrion occidentale)

Black-Tipped Flashwing (Vestalis apicalis nigrescens)

Black-tipped Flashwing(Vestalis nigrescens)

Blurry forestdamsel(Platysticta maculata)

Brinck's Shadowdamsel(Drepanosticta brincki)

Dark-glittering Threadtail (Elattoneura centralis)

Drooping Shadowdamsel(Drepanosticta lankanensis)

Fiery Emperor (Anax immaculifrons)

Fruhstorfer's Junglewatcher(Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi)

Jungle threadtail(Elattoneura caesia)

Malabar Sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum)

Sri Lanka Metallic-backed Reedling (Indolestes divisus)

Painted waxtail (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum)

Pruinosed Bloodtail(Lathrecista asiatica asiatica)

Shining Gossamerwing(Euphaea splendens)

Sombre Lieutenant(Brachydiplax sobrina)

Spine-tufted Skimmer(Orthetrum chrysis)

Vermilion Forester(Lyriothemis defonsekai)

Ebony Gem(Libellago corbeti)