Dragonflies and Damselflies of Beijing

This page covers the 68 species of Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) of Beijing.  Inside the 6th ring road, some of the best locations for seeing Odonata in Beijing include the Botanical Gardens and the Olympic Forest Park.  The mountains and valleys of northern and western Beijing, for example Huairou, Mentougou, Miyun and Yanqing Districts are also great places to explore.

The aim of this page is to build up a library of images from the capital.  With that in mind, submissions of photographs are welcome, particularly of species not yet photographed or of sexes and ages not yet illustrated on this page.  If you have images you are willing to share, please use the contact form at the end of this page, including details about your images (species, sex, location, date).  All will be fully credited.  Thank you.  Special thanks to 混沌牛 for advice and for providing many images for this page.

For those who are interested in the Odonata of wider China,  there is an excellent two-volume book of the “Dragonflies and Damselflies of China” (in Chinese with scientific and english names) by Zhang Haomiao of Chongqing University.  It is available online at this link.

Header image: Mnais sp, Yanqing County, Beijing, 8 June 2020.  This species is similar to Mnais tenuis from South China but orange-winged male with whole abdomen whitish pruinosed.  Present in Beijing, Hubei and Anhui.  Flight season April to July.

 

Cordulegasteridae   大蜓科        Spiketails

1. Anotogaster kuchenbeiseri   双斑圆臀大蜓  Shuāng bān yuán tún dà tíng

Anotogaster kuchenbeiseri 双斑圆臀大蜓 Shuāng bān yuán tún dà tíng. Photo by 混沌牛.

 

2. Neallogaster pekinensis   北京角臀蜓

Neallogaster pekinensis   北京角臀蜓. Photo by 混沌牛.

Aeshnidae    蜓科  Hawkers

3. Aeshna soneharai   混合蜓  Hùnhé tíng

Note that Aeshna soneharai was split from Aeshna mixta in 2022 based on abdominal markings and DNA analysis – see paper here.  In East Asia it should be only Aeshna soneharai that is present.

Aeshna soneharai , 混合蜓, ID City, Shunyi District, 3 September 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Aeshna soneharai, 混合蜓, ID City, Shunyi District, 3 September 2020 (Terry Townshend)

 

4. Aeschnophlebia longistigma  长痣绿蜓

Aeschnophlebia longistigma  长痣绿蜓. Photo by 混沌牛.

 

5. Anax nigrofasciatus  黑纹伟蜓    Blue-spotted Emperor

6. Anax parthenope julis  碧伟蜓  Bì wěi tíng  Lesser Emperor

Anax parthenope julius,  碧伟蜓,   Lesser Emperor, ID City, Shunyi District, 28 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Anax parthenope julius, 碧伟蜓, Lesser Emperor, ID City, Shunyi District, 15 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Anax parthenope julius  碧伟蜓   Lesser Emperor. Photo by Philip Gould.

 

7. Cephalaeschna patrorum  长者头蜓

8. Planaeschna shanxiensis    山西黑额蜓

9. Aeshna juncea   竣蜓    Common Hawker

Aeshna juncea   竣蜓    Common Hawker, Wulingshan. Photo by 混沌牛.混沌牛.
Aeshna juncea   竣蜓    Common Hawker, Wulingshan. Photo by 混沌牛.

10. Aeshna lucia  梭蜓

11. Aeshna subarctica   极北蜓   Subarctic Darner* 

Aeshna subarctica   极北蜓   Subarctic Darner. Photo by 混沌牛.

Gomphidae  春蜓科       Clubtails     

12. Anisogomphus maacki    马奇异春蜓

Anisogomphus maacki    马奇异春蜓, male, BaiHe, 13 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)

13. Asiagomphus hesperius 西南亚春蜓  Xīnán yà chūn tíng

Asiagomphus hesperius 西南亚春蜓  Xīnán yà chūn tíng, BaiHe, July 2022.  Photo by 混沌牛

 

14. Burmagomphus collaris   领纹缅春蜓 Lǐng wén miǎn chūn tíng

Burmagomphus collaris   领纹缅春蜓 Lǐng wén miǎn chūn tíng (immature female), July 2022.  Photo by 混沌牛.

 

15. Davidius bicornutus/Dubitogomphus bicornutus   双角戴春蜓

Dubitogomphus bicornutus,  双角戴春蜓, female, Miyun County, 3 August 2019 (Terry Townshend)

16. Gastrogomphus abdominalis  长腹春蜓

17. Gomphidia confluens  联纹小叶春蜓  Keel-tailed Tiger

Gomphidia confluens  联纹小叶春蜓  Keel-tailed Tiger. Photo by 混沌牛.
Gomphidia confluens  联纹小叶春蜓  Keel-tailed Tiger. Photo by Philip Gould.

18. Lamelligomphus ringens  环纹环尾春蜓

Lamelligomphus ringens,  环纹环尾春蜓, male, Huairou District, 6 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)

19. Ophiogomphus spinicornis   棘角蛇纹春蜓

Ophiogomphus spinicornis   棘角蛇纹春蜓. Photo by 混沌牛.

20. Sieboldius albardae  艾氏施春蜓   Great Clubtail

Sieboldius albardae, 艾氏施春蜓, Great Clubtail, male, BaiHe, 1 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)

21. Sinictinogomphus clavatus   大团扇春蜓  Golden Flangetail

Sinictinogomphus clavatus   大团扇春蜓  Golden Flangetail. Photo by 混沌牛.
Sinictinogomphus clavatus   大团扇春蜓  Golden Flangetail. Photo by Philip Gould.

22. Stylurus occultus  奇特扩腹春蜓

Corduliidae   伪蜻科Emeralds

23. Epitheca marginata  缘斑毛伪蜻

Epitheca marginata 缘斑毛伪蜻. Photo by 混沌牛
Epitheca marginata 缘斑毛伪蜻. Female with eggs at tip of abdomen. Photo by 混沌牛

24. Epophthalmia elegans  闪蓝丽大蜻   Regal Pond Cruiser

Epophthalmia elegans  闪蓝丽大蜻   Regal Pond Cruiser. Photo by 混沌牛.

25. Macromia beijingensis  北京弓蜻

Macromia beijingensis  北京弓蜻.  Photo by 混沌牛

 

26. Somatochlora graeseri   格氏金光伪蜻

27. Somatochlora japonica  日本金光伪蜻

28. Macromia manchurica  东北大伪蜻

Macromia manchurica 东北大伪蜻, Mentougou District. Photo by 混沌牛

Libellulidae   蜻科  Skimmers

29. Brachydiplax chalybea  蓝额疏脉蜻  Blue Dasher

Brachydiplax chalybea, 蓝额疏脉蜻, Blue Dasher, Olympic Forest Park, Beijing, 17 August 2021 (Photo by 混沌牛).  Possibly the first record for Beijing.

30. Crocothemis servilia   红蜻  Hóng qīng  Scarlet Darter/Crimson Darter

Crocothemis servilia,   红蜻,   Scarlet Darter, male, ID City, Shunyi District, 3 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Crocothemis servilia   红蜻   Scarlet Darter/Crimson Darter, male. Photo by Philip Gould.
Crocothemis servilia,   红蜻,   Scarlet Darter, female, ID City, Shunyi District, 3 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)

31. Deielia phaon  异色多纹蜻  Yì sè duō wén qīng  Frosted Skimmer

Deielia phaon  异色多纹蜻  Yì sè duō wén qīng  Frosted Skimmer, male, Ma Chang, 22 July 2022. Photo by Terry Townshend.

Deielia phaon  异色多纹蜻    Frosted Skimmer, male. Photo by Philip Gould.
Deielia phaon  异色多纹蜻    Frosted Skimmer. Female. Photo by 混沌牛.
Deielia phaon  异色多纹蜻    Frosted Skimmer, female. Photo by Philip Gould.

32. Libellula angelina    低斑蜻    Bekko Tombo

Libellula angelina    低斑蜻    Bekko Tombo. Photo by 混沌牛.
Libellula angelina  低斑蜻   Bekko Tombo, Shunyi District, May 2022. Photo by Terry Townshend.

33. Libellula quadrimaculata  小斑蜻 Xiǎo bān qīng  Four-spotted Skimmer 

Libellula quadrimaculata  小斑蜻 Xiǎo bān qīng  Four-spotted Skimmer, Yanqing, 9 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)

34. Orthetrum albistylum  白尾灰蜻  Báiwěi huī qīng  White-tailed Skimmer/White-tipped Skimmer

Orthetrum albistylum  白尾灰蜻   White-tailed Skimmer/White-tipped Skimmer, male. Photo by Philip Gould.
Orthetrum albistylum,  白尾灰蜻,  White-tailed Skimmer, immature male, 26 June 2020, ID City, Shunyi District (Terry Townshend)
Orthetrum albistylum  白尾灰蜻   White-tailed Skimmer/White-tipped Skimmer, female. Photo by Philip Gould.

35. Orthetrum brunneum  蓝蜻蜓  Lán qīng tíng  Southern Skimmer 

Orthetrum brunneum  蓝蜻蜓  Lán qīng tíng  Southern Skimmer, Huairou District, 10 August 2022 (Terry Townshend)

 

36. Orthetrum lineostigma  线痣灰蜻

Orthetrum lineostigma  线痣灰蜻, male. Photo by 混沌牛.
Orthetrum lineostigma 线痣灰蜻, male, Shunyi District, 23 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)

37. Orthetrum melania    异色灰蜻    Great Blue Skimmer

Orthetrum melania    异色灰蜻    Great Blue Skimmer. Photo by 混沌牛

38. Pantala flavescens   黄蜻  Huáng qīng  Wandering Glider/Globe Skimmer

Pantala flavescens   黄蜻     Wandering Glider/Globe Skimmer, ID City, Shunyi District, 3 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Pantala flavescens   黄蜻     Wandering Glider/Globe Skimmer. Photo by Philip Gould.

39. Pseudothemis zonata   玉带蜻  Yùdài qīng  Pied Skimmer

Pseudothemis zonata   玉带蜻   Pied Skimmer, female. Photo by 混沌牛.
Pseudothemis zonata   玉带蜻   Pied Skimmer, male. Photo by Philip Gould.

40. Rhyothemis fuliginosa    黑丽翅蜻  Hēi lì chì qīng  Butterfly Skimmer

Rhyothemis fuliginosa    黑丽翅蜻  Hēi lì chì qīng   Butterfly Skimmer. Photo by Philip Gould.

41. Sympetrum croceolum  半黄赤蜻 Bàn huáng chì qīng  Yellow Darter

Sympetrum croceolum  半黄赤蜻  Bàn huáng chì qīng  Yellow Darter, Wenyu River, 23 October 2022 (Terry Townshend)

 

42. Sympetrum depressiusculum  扁腹赤蜻  Spotted Darter

A male Spotted Darter Sympetrum depressiusculum  扁腹赤蜻 at the Wenyu River, 25 September 2022 (Terry Townshend)

43. Sympetrum frequens  秋赤蜻   Autumn Darter

Sympetrum frequens, 秋赤蜻, Autumn Darter, female, Shunyi District, 3 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)

44. Sympetrum eroticum   竖眉赤蜻    Spot-fronted Darter

Sympetrum eroticum,  竖眉赤蜻,  Shù méi chì qīng,  Spot-fronted Darter, adult male, BaiHe, 1 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Sympetrum eroticum,  竖眉赤蜻,  Shù méi chì qīng,  Spot-fronted Darter, immature male, Huairou, 7 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)
Sympetrum eroticum, 竖眉赤蜻, Shù méi chì qīng,  Spot-fronted Darter, female. Photo by 混沌牛.

45. Sympetrum flaveolum 黄斑赤蜻  Yellow-winged Darter

Sympetrum flaveolum 黄斑赤蜻  Yellow-winged Darter.  Note: this image was taken in northern Hebei Province.  It is rare in Beijing. Photo by 混沌牛

46. Sympetrum fonscolombii   方氏赤蜻    Red-veined Darter

Sympetrum fonscolombii, 方氏赤蜻, Red-veined Darter / Nomad, male, Shunyi District, 15 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Sympetrum fonscolombii, Red-veined Darter / Nomad, 方氏赤蜻, male, Shunyi District, Beijing, 28 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Sympetrum fonscolombii, 方氏赤蜻, Red-veined Darter / Nomad, male. Photo by 混沌牛.

47. Sympetrum kunckeli   小黄赤蜻  Xiǎo huáng chì qīng

Sympetrum kunckeli, 小黄赤蜻, immature male, Kangxi Grassland, 9 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)
Sympetrum kunckeli   小黄赤蜻, immature male,  Olympic Forest Park. Photo by 混沌牛.

48. Sympetrum pedemontanum   褐带赤蜻   Banded Darter

Sympetrum pedemontanum   褐带赤蜻   Banded Darter.  Photo by 混沌牛

49. Sympetrum speciosum  黄基赤蜻 

50. Sympetrum striolatum  条斑黄赤蜻   Common Darter

Sympetrum striolatum  条斑黄赤蜻   Common Darter, male. Photo by Philip Gould.
Sympetrum striolatum  条斑黄赤蜻   Common Darter, female. Photo by Philip Gould.

51. Sympetrum uniforme   大黄赤蜻  

52. Tramea virginia   华斜痣蜻    Saddlebag Glider

Tramea virginia 华斜痣蜻  Saddlebag Glider, Yongdinghe.  Photo by 混沌牛.

Tramea virginia 华斜痣蜻  Saddlebag Glider, Yongdinghe.  Photo by 混沌牛.

 

Zygoptera 差翅亚目  Damselflies

Calopterygidae       色蟌科        Broad-winged Damselflies

53. Atrocalopteryx atrata   黑暗色蟌  Hēi’àn sè cōng  Black-winged Jewelwing

Atrocalopteryx atrata   黑暗色蟌   Black-winged Jewelwing, male, Huairou, 7 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)
Atrocalopteryx atrata, 黑暗色蟌, Black-winged Jewelwing, female, Huairou, 6 August 2020 (Terry Townshend). 
Atrocalopteryx atrata, 黑暗色蟌, Black-winged Jewelwing, female ovipositing, Huairou, 7 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)

54. Matrona basilaris   透顶单脉色蟌

Matrona basilaris, 透顶单脉色蟌, male, Yanqing County, 1 August 2020 (Terry Townshend) 

55. Mnais sp  This species is similar to Mnais tenuis from South China but orange-winged male with whole abdomen whitish pruinosed.  Present in Beijing, Hubei and Anhui.  Flight season April to July.

Mnais sp., male, Yanqing County, 8 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Mnais sp., female, Yanqing County, 8 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Mnais sp, copula, Yanqing County, 8 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)

Coenagrionidae      蟌科  Narrow-winged Damselflies

56. Ceriagrion nipponicum  日本黄蟌

Ceriagrion nipponicum  日本黄蟌. Photo by 混沌牛.
Ceriagrion nipponicum  日本黄蟌, Olympic Forest Park, 26 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)

57. Ischnura asiatica   东亚异痣蟌  Dōngyà yì zhì cōng  Asiatic Bluetail

Ischnura asiatica 东亚异痣蟌 Asiatic Bluetail, male, 5 August 2021, ChaoBaiHe. Note 9th abdominal segment all blue.
Ischnura asiatica, 东亚异痣蟌, Asiatic Bluetail, mating pair, Shunyi District, 16 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Ischnura asiatica   东亚异痣蟌    Asiatic Bluetail, female, Shunyi District, 5 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Ischnura asiatica 东亚异痣蟌 Asiatic Bluetail, immature female, Olympic Forest Park, 26 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)

58. Ischnura elegans   长叶异痣蟌  Cháng yè yì zhì cōng  Blue-tailed Damselfly

Ischnura elegans, 长叶异痣蟌,  Blue-tailed Damselfly, adult male, 4 July 2021, Wenyu River (Terry Townshend)
Ischnura elegans, 长叶异痣蟌,  Blue-tailed Damselfly, female, 7 August 2021, Wenyu River (Terry Townshend)

59. Paracercion calamorum dyeri  蓝纹尾蟌  Lán wén wěi cōng  Dusky Lilysquatter

Paracercion calamorum,  蓝纹尾蟌,  Dusky Lilysquatter, male, Olympic Forest Park, 26 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Paracercion calamorum,  蓝纹尾蟌,  Dusky Lilysquatter, female, Wenyu River, 30 June 2021 (Terry Townshend)
Paracercion calamorum,  蓝纹尾蟌,  Dusky Lilysquatter, female, ChaoBaiHe, 5 August 2021 (Terry Townshend)

60. Paracercion hieroglyphicum   隼尾蟌

Paracercion hieroglyphicum   隼尾蟌, male. Photo by 混沌牛.

61. Paracercion melanotum    黑背尾蟌  Hēi bèi wěi cōng  Eastern Lilysquatter 

Paracercion melanotum    黑背尾蟌  Hēi bèi wěi cōng, male, ChaoBai River, 28 July 2021 (Terry Townshend)

62. Paracercion plagiosum    七条尾蟌  Qītiáo wěi cōng

Paracercion plagiosum    七条尾蟌 Qītiáo wěi cōng, male. Photo by 混沌牛.
Paracercion plagiosum 七条尾蟌 Qītiáo wěi cōng, female, Ma Chang, 15 July 2020 (Terry Townshend)

63. Paracercion v-nigrum    捷尾蟌

Paracercion v-nigrum    捷尾蟌. Male (right) and female. Photo by 混沌牛.

64. Copera tokyoensis    黑狭扇蟌

65. Platycnemis foliacea   白扇蟌    Warfan Damselfly

Platycnemis foliacea   白扇蟌    Warfan Damselfly, male. Photo by 混沌牛.
Platycnemis foliacea, 白扇蟌, Warfan Damselfly, male and female mating, Yanqing County, 1 August 2020 (Terry Townshend)

66. Platycnemis phyllopoda    叶足扇蟌  Yè zú shàn cōng

Platycnemis phyllopoda, 叶足扇蟌, Yanqing County, 8 June 2020 (Terry Townshend)
Platycnemis phyllopoda, 叶足扇蟌. Photo by 混沌牛.

Lestidae       丝蟌科        Spread-winged Damselflies

67. Lestes sponsa  桨尾丝蟌  Emerald Damselfly

Lestes sponsa  桨尾丝蟌   Emerald Damselfly, male. Photo by Philip Gould.
Lestes sponsa  桨尾丝蟌   Emerald Damselfly, male and female. Photo by Philip Gould.

68. Sympecma paedisca  三叶黄丝蟌   Siberian Winterdamsel

Sympecma paedisca  三叶黄丝蟌 Siberian Winterdamsel, Ma Chang, 2 April 2021 (Terry Townshend).

*Aeschna subarctica was photographed near Chengde in Hebei Province and may occur in Beijing.

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If you have images you are willing to share, please use the contact form below, including details about your images (species, sex, location, date).  You will then be contacted to arrange for submission.  All images will be fully credited.  Thank you.