Diplacodes Trivialis – Ground Skimmer

Not as common as some of the other dragons in my watch, and distinctively smaller than the other members of family Libellulidae. At first it is mistaken for Sabina, but the size and the distinctive blue nose give it away.

It keeps low down, and is one of the few dragons that will happily land on a flat surface. Dragons much prefer a vertical stem, as it makes lift-off a lot easier. Dragons have to choose their landing sites very carefully, as they cannot walk, and without something to grip on to, they will simply topple over, tail down, due to the weight distribution.

The ground skimmer is very skittish, combined with its preference for ground sites, very difficult to get a good image.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.