Brown Backed Red Marsh Hawk

Brown Backed Red Marsh Hawk

Brown Backed Red Marsh Hawk is a medium sized skimmer dragonfly (family: Libellulidae). Scientific name is Orthetrum chrysis.

Brown Backed Red Marsh Hawk - Orthetrum Chrysis

Orthetrum chrysis (male) clicked from Cheruvally, Kerala

Eyes are dark reddish colored, thorax brown and abdomen bright red colored. Wings are transparent with brown colored wing spots. These dragonflies are commonly seen around streams.

Brown Backed Red Marsh Hawk - Orthetrum chrysis

It can be confused with Orthetrum pruinosum (Crimson – Tailed Marsh Hawk), but the latter has abdomen pinkish and eyes darkish blue-brown, which helps to distinguish both.

Family: Libellulidae

See Also: Portfolio – Dragonflies and Damselflies