Being unused to Anisoptera with colourful wings in Europe, this species and its congeners may come as a bit of a shock – a very striking shock. I think R. variegata shows extensively marked wings in black and yellow, particularly the females which have more extensively coloured wings than the males. I think it’s an unmistakeable species.
We came across a swarm of these guys at Mihintale Temple in Sri Lanka, which is where Carol snagged the group shot below. I believe that the species is prone to swarming as I’ve seen other, similar records. I did see one settled but for too brief a time to allow my approach. In flight seemed to be the only way to get them.
Id Notes
- metallic green thorax
- black abdomen
- extensive, variable black and yellow wing markings
- ♂ – dark clouding on wing tip [personal observation]
| male |
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| female |
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| swarm |
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