Stats

Lifespan: A few weeks
Size: Medium
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Asia to Australia
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

The Chalky Percher is a widespread Asian dragonfly whose mature males develop a dusty white pruinescence that gradually coats the abdomen, giving the species its distinctive chalky appearance. Found from India to Australia, it frequents ponds and slow streams where it perches low on vegetation to defend territories.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Diplacodes
Species: Diplacodes trivialis