Pink jewel dragonfly (Heliocypha fenestrata)

Pink jewel dragonfly (Heliocypha fenestrata) is a species belonging to the family Chlorocyphidae. These dragonflies are slender, measuring 40–45 mm in length, and are predominantly black with accents of pink and blue. They possess large black eyes and long wings; they are swift fliers and inhabit areas near flowing freshwater.

H. fenestrata has a black body. The dorsal (upper) side is adorned with three pink, square-shaped markings, with a similar pattern located on the nape. The sides and the underside of the body feature bright blue markings.







The abdomen is long, cylindrical, and segmented; it is primarily black, with bright blue patterns near the base on the sides. The tip of the abdomen bears two small appendages that curve inward. The legs are jointed and entirely black.

The wingspan can reach up to 80 mm, with a complex network of fine veins. The wingtips are elliptical; the wings themselves appear dark yet transparent, reflecting vibrant shades of red, green, blue, or white when exposed to sunlight.

This species lives near flowing freshwater ecosystems in low-light (shaded) environments and is typically observed at the beginning of the rainy season or the end of the dry season. As active predators, they hunt small insects, including mosquitoes, beetles, and other dragonfly species.

TAXON

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Chlorocyphidae
Genus: Heliocypha Fraser (1949)
Species: Heliocypha fenestrata Burmeister (1839)

SYNONYMS

Calopteryx fenestrata Burmeister (1839)
Rhinocypha fenestrata Burmeister (1839)
Rhinocypha fenestrata cornelii Lieftinck (1947)
Rhinocypha infumata Rambur (1842)
Rhinocypha vitrella Rambur (1842)

VERNACULAR NAME

English: Pink jewel dragonfly, Pink jewel, Pink jewel damselfly
Indonesian: Capung batu merah jambu
Java: Kinjeng inten pink

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