Rhyothemis phyllis phyllis

There are 5 Rhyothemis species in Borneo. Rhyothemis species is characterized by its broad hingwings and short abdomen.

Rhyothemis phyllis is a common species in Sabah found at exposed marshes and ponds. Usually hover under the sun in swarm of 10 to 20.

Rhyothemis phyllis This very distinctive dragonfly is one of the most frequently observed in the region. Breeds in marshy ponds, lakes and drains, including slightly brackish water. Both sexes, especially juveniles, forage enmasse on hill tops and in open secondary forest. Widespread throughout tropical Asia and Australasia with several geographical races.

Rhyothemis phyllis is one of the commonest species. It is recognizable by the distinctive brown and yellow bars at base of the hindwing. It is widely distributed in lowland areas and is generally to be found around drains and lakes. Sometimes it forms large swarms in forest clearings far from the breeding grounds. While hawking it has a fairly slow, sailing flight but at the breeding ground males perch for long periods over the water. It is the largest member of the genus in Borneo. Various races are widely distributed in the Oriental and Australian regions.

	A female Rhyothemis phyllis is similar to a male in mark, color and size. R. Phyllis is the largest in genus Rhyothemis. This female measures: Hind wing is 37mm Hind wing span is 77mm Whole body length 35mm
	Egg mass filled the pocket of segment 9 of this female Rhyothemis phyllis
	Just how small the egg of this medium size Rhyothemis Phyllis can be ? By measuring an egg again the square of a standard graph paper, one can estimate the size of this dragonfly is 0.2mm width and 0.25 mm length.

Rhyothemis phyllis
Found in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao, Myanmar, Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam
Genus Rhyothemis	Super-Family: LIBELLULOIDEA	Family: LIBELLULIDAE

	Rhyothemis Phyllis has short abdomen but long and broad hind wings. The hind wings have extensive areas of solid color of brown and yellow bars. The wings are beautiful both in marking and in shape. This is a male.
	The shape of these membranous wings is beautiful : slim front wings with hind wings broader at the base.
	Rhyothemis Phyllis has distinctive brown and yellow bars at base of the hind wing. This wing mark has slight different between the several geographical races. This one is from Sabah at the north of Borneo.
	P4 Though the thorax is not as colorful as the wings, the metallic dark green is attractive to the eyes. Several of this species fly together with Pantala flavescens beside a weedy pond feeding flying insects on the wing. That day has a good dragonfly weather