Search

COMMON FLANGETAIL FEMALE FEEDING

on 1st June 2015

“The Common Flangetail (Ictinogomphus decoratus, family Gomphidae) is the most readily observed member of the Clubtail family in Singapore and are regularly sighted along reservoirs, ponds and streams. However, it is usually the males that are encountered as they bask boldly in the sun and guard their turf (above, below).

“The female is rarely seen, but I was provided with brief views of one fine example on 19th November 2014 (below). She is very similar to the male, but her abdomen is a little more plump.

“As I approached this female with apprehension and caution, she allowed me to get close enough to appreciate her voracious appetite. Each time she darted off from her perch, she would return soon after with an insect prey clasped between her jaws.

“These prey items included a earwig (above),

“…as well as a wasp (above).

“Video clips of the female dragonfly feeding on the earwig and wasp respectively may be previewed here:”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
17th May 2015

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
833
6298
Visitors Today
51618253
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)