Vermilion Forester (රත් උදර වන බත්කූරා)

  

This brightly coloured, medium-sized dragonfly was recently discovered in Sri Lanka. It was first reported from the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and later observed in other lowland rainforest habitats in the southwestern wet zone.

Identification: The species is easily distinguishable from other Sri Lankan dragonflies due to its unique colour patterns and body shape, making it a distinct member of the region’s dragonfly fauna.

Habitat & Behavior: This dragonfly is typically found in marshy rainforest areas, where adults are seen perched on exposed vegetation about a meter above the ground. However, its exact breeding habitat remains unknown.

Conservation: As an endemic species of high conservation importance, its biology remains largely unknown despite continuous observations over the past fifteen years.