Ditch Jewel Brachythemis contaminata

Don't let the humble name fool you. Despite thriving in ditches and other unremarkable wetlands across Asia, these jewel-toned dragonflies live up to their glittering reputation. Small and brilliantly colored, they're the kind of insect that transforms a muddy pond into a place of unexpected beauty. Often found in slow-moving water, they're masters of their domain—quick, agile hunters that snatch mosquitoes and midges right out of the air. Watch for their iridescent bodies glinting in sunlight as they patrol their territory.