Anax indicus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anax indicus
male
female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The Anax indicus is a type of dragonfly that belongs to the Aeshnidae family. You can find this large insect in countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It's known for its striking colors and quick flight.

Meet the Lesser Green Emperor Dragonfly

This amazing dragonfly is quite large and easy to spot. It has bright blue eyes that stand out. Its body is made up of a pale green middle part, called the thorax, and a dark brown tail section, known as the abdomen. Along the sides of its abdomen, you'll see bright yellowish-red markings.

What Does It Look Like?

The wings of the Anax indicus are mostly clear, like glass. However, the inner part of its back wings has cool brown patches. The first two parts of its abdomen are pale green. The top of the second part is blue with a thin, broken line across it. The third part of the abdomen is blue on top, with a thin black line down the middle. Its sides are shiny silver-white.

The rest of the abdomen parts are dark brown. They have yellowish-red dots on their sides. On parts 4 to 6, these dots are bright and clear. On parts 7 and 8, these spots join together to form a continuous yellow band. The last two parts, 9 and 10, have a pair of large yellowish-red spots. The parts at the very end of its body, called anal appendages, are dark brown.

How to Tell It Apart

The Anax indicus looks a lot like another dragonfly called Anax guttatus. But there's a trick to tell them apart! The Anax indicus has yellow spots on the back of its abdomen (parts 7 and 8) that are connected. In Anax guttatus, these spots are not connected; they are separate.

Differences Between Males and Females

Female Anax indicus dragonflies look quite similar to the males. However, the blue color on the top of the second abdomen part of the female is broken up into four sections by a thin brown line and another line going across. This makes a cross-like shape. The female's anal appendages are also very wide and shaped like the head of a spear.

• 

  Male in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

• 

  Female

• 

  Anal appendages (male)

• 

  Anal appendages (female)

• 

  Segment 2 of male

• 

  Segment 2 of female

Habitat and Life Cycle

This type of dragonfly loves to live near water. You can often find them breeding in places like ponds, marshes, and lakes. These watery areas are perfect for them to lay their eggs and for their young to grow.

More About Dragonflies

• List of odonates of India
• List of odonates of Sri Lanka