Aethriamanta brevipennis (Rambur, 1842)

Aethriamanta brevipennis is a widespread species in the Indo-Malayan region. Although, according to the information I got on the web, it seems that this cute species is everywhere rather local in occurrence, and not generally common.

I bumped into this species only two times, at open ponds with well vegetated banks, in the Hanoi suburbs. Each time, it was sharing the same habitat with Aethriamanta aethra.

Male have bright red abdomen, which contrast with the blackish head and thorax. In fact, 2 forms are known for the male : red and yellow.

The red one :

The yellow one :



 The female is bright yellow with black markings on thorax and abdomen ; she has also yellow patches at the wings base.

This position has a name – the obelisk posture. 

Some dragonflies, particularly from the family Libellulidae, assume this position to minimize the surface area exposed to solar radiation, to prevent overheating.   

Ready for the chuồn chuồn* Olympic Games !

* the vietnamese word for dragonflies

Aethriamanta brevipennis is not in the Checklist of dragonfly from Vietnam (Dô Manh Cuong & Dang Thi Thanh Hoa, 2007) and I am wondering if it might be the first record for Vietnam. 

I know this species from 2 only ponds, in the suburbs of Hanoi. Never spotted elsewhere! Quite strange…