List of odonates of Sri Lanka

Damselflies are insect s of suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller, have slimmer bodies, and most species fold the wings along the body when at rest. An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at least the Lower Permian, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

All damselflies are predatory; both nymphs and adults eat other insects. The nymphs are aquatic, with different species living in a variety of freshwater habitats including acid bogs, ponds, lakes and rivers. The nymphs moult repeatedly, at the last moult climbing out of the water to undergo metamorphosis. The skin splits down the back, they emerge and inflate their wings and abdomen to gain their adult form. Their presence on a body of water indicates that it is relatively unpolluted, but their dependence on freshwater makes them vulnerable to damage to their wetland habitats.

64 Damselfly species can be found in Sri Lanka.

• Neurobasis chinensis - ssp.chinensis
• Vestalis apicalis - ssp.nigrescens*

• Libellago adami*
• Libellago finalis*
• Libellago greeni*
• Libellago corbeti*

• Euphaea splendens*

• Indolestes divisus*
• Indolestes gracilis - ssp.gracilis*
• Lestes elatus
• Lestes malabaricus
• Lestes praemorsus - ssp.decipiens
• Sinhalestes orientalis*

• Elattoneura oculata*
• Elattoneura caesia*
• Elattoneura centralis*
• Elattoneura leucostigma*
• Elattoneura tenax*
• Prodasineura sita*
• Onychargia atrocyana
• Copera marginipes

A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, suborder Anisoptera (from Greek ἄνισος anisos "uneven" and πτερόν pteron, "wing", because the hindwing is broader than the forewing). Adult dragonflies are characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches and an elongated body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the related group, damselflies (Zygoptera), which are similar in structure, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold the wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly eye has nearly 24,000 ommatidia.

Dragonflies are predators, both in their aquatic larval stage, when they are known as nymphs or naiads, and as adults. Several years of their lives are spent as nymphs living in fresh water; the adults may be on the wing for just a few days or weeks. They are fast, agile fliers, sometimes migrating across oceans, and are often found near water.

There are 65 Dragonfly species can be found in Sri Lanka.

• Anaciaeschna donaldi
• Anax guttatus
• Anax immaculifrons
• Anax indicus
• Anax tristis
• Anax ephippiger
• Gynacantha dravida
• Gynacantha millardi

• Epophthalmia vittata - ssp.cyanocephala*
• Macromia flinti*
• Macromia zeylanica*