Monday, April 21, 2008

Libellulidae - Rhyothemis aterrima

Libellulidae - Rhyothemis aterrima Selys, 1891
This is another beautiful Rhyothemis species. I like to call it as "Man In Black", totally black in colour from head to tail! Many older individuals of R. aterrima have broken wings due to their aggressive behaviour. Orr (2005) stated in his book on the behaviour of R. atterima as "combatants meeting with an audible clashing of wings". Rhyothemis aterrima is found at open swamp in the forest. They particularly playful under the sun. I recorded R. atterima in Bangi Forest Reserve. Nevertheless, my first encounter with this species was actually in Chini Lake two year ago.