Amber-winged Glider Hydrobasileus croceus

Photo of Amber-winged Glider (Hydrobasileus croceus)

(c) Rison Thumboor, some rights reserved (CC BY)

OrderDragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
FamilySkimmers (Libellulidae)
GenusWater Monarchs (Hydrobasileus)

Those distinctive amber-tinted wings make this Asian dragonfly shine among the marsh grasses. A true 'glider,' it uses graceful, energy-efficient flight to hunt across wetlands with minimal effortβ€”the aerial equivalent of coasting downhill. Widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia, it's a master of the still waters.

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