Chalky percher - Ground skimmer - Diplacodes trivialis

Diplacodes trivialis is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known as the chalky percher or ground skimmer. It is found in India, Seychelles, Oman, United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, Maldives and southwards to New Guinea, Australia, and throughout the Oriental region and Pacific islands. It breeds in ponds, wet rice fields, shallow lakes, drainage ditches and similar habitats. It is found in the plains and hills and dry and wet areas in Asia. Diplacodes trivialis females are small greenish yellow with black markings. Abdominal markings are broader and continued on to segments 8-10. The 10th segment and anal appendages are completely yellow. This dragonfly usually perches on the ground like gardens, fields, and playgrounds and rarely flies above 1m. A female chalky percher or ground skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis) sits on a leaf in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 10/11/2024.