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COMMON FLANGETAIL OVIPOSITING

on 15th June 2015

“Although the Common Flangetail (Ictinogomphus decoratus, family Gomphidae) is a fairly widespread dragonfly species in Singapore, observations of their mating activity or egg-laying behaviour seem scarce. I have only ever witnessed their brief mating twice in the field, but their union has always been too fast and furious for me to document.

“Soon after mating, the female would seek a suitable site to deposit her eggs. On the 19th November 2014, I was thrilled with the rare sight of a female ovipositing at a local pond (above).

“Once a particularly preferred platform of aquatic vegetation has been identified, she will approach the target zone steadily, execute her brakes, engage reverse gear, then descend to dip her abdomen upon the water surface with pin-point precision. This graceful dance of egg deposition is repeated a few more times at the same site of choice.

“A brief video clip of this female ovipositing in slow motion may be previewed here:”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
11th June 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.

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