Brachydiplax is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They occur in Asia from India to China and Southeast Asia, and New Guinea to Australia.
Species of Brachydiplax are often commonly found. Males of most species are usually pale to mid powder blue. Females have shades of brown, sometimes with neat patterns of spots on the abdomen, as in Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata.
Like most Libellulids they tend to perch on sticks, reeds or stones near water, flying out to catch insects then returning to their perch.
Etymology The genus name Brachydiplax is derived from the Greek βραχύς (brakhys, "short"), combined with Diplax, a genus name derived from the Greek δίς (dis, "twice") and πλάξ (plax, "flat and broad"). The name refers to the relationship of the genus to Diplax.
Species The genus Brachydiplax includes the following species: Male Female Scientific name Common name Distribution Brachydiplax chalybea yellow-patched lieutenant, rufous-backed marsh hawk, and blue dasher eastern Asia, from India to Japan to Indonesia. Brachydiplax denticauda palemouth Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Brachydiplax duivenbodei darkmouth Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and Queensland in Australia Brachydiplax farinosa India Brachydiplax sobrina Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Brachydiplax sollaarti Australia Brachydiplax yunnanensis China
References