117: Rhyothemis plutonia (Selys, 1883)

Number: 117 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Rhyothemis

Species:  Rhyothemis plutonia / Greater Blue Wing Flutterer*

Habitat: Exposed Weedy Marshland (Warm Water), Ponds and Lakes (Lowlands to Uplands)
Province(s) sighted: Widespread

In flight: April-July / Sightings (by me): Locally Common

Species easily confused with: Rhyothemis aterrima

*The given common name is the Great Blue Wing, but I have added 'Flutter' to be consistent with other species in the genus, so the Great Blue Wing Flutterer.

FINALLY! I managed to capture photos of this species. I had seen a solitary male twice before, but they continually flew high above the treetops giving me no hope of photographing them. Then, at a tiny pond/marshy area with warm water, I saw two males fighting each other. After each battle they would land back in the same position. They did this over and over again. Eventually, I crept down some steep banking and through the marshy area. I got it! In fact, these are completely uncropped and I was amazed how they didn't just fly away. So there it was, my 3rd species from this genus, Rhyothemis plutonia. Since writing this blog I have seen this species all over the country. It is seemingly very common but still very beautiful.

The Male

Simply stunning is the best way to describe this species. It is almost completely black, but has sparkling metallic green and pink/orange colouration to the wings, which gives it its name.

These are the best natural photos I have managed so far. 

This one I caught recently at Nam Nao... it had just been in a battle with another male, hence the damaged wing. 

The Female...

Unlike the few others I have seen (mostly as part of a copula that lasts for a few moments), she sat there happily, letting me get close to her (though it was windy and she was hanging on I think). These photos are uncropped. The female is the same as the male, but the abdomen is more robust. Also, she seems to have more green colouration to her wings and no pink, though this could vary.