Dragonflies ‹‹ Go Back

Common Name : Blue-eyed Pondcruiser     -       Scientific Name : Epophthalmia vittata      
Wilpattu

This is an endemic species of the family “corduliidae” commonly referred to as “Emeralds”. This is the largest and the most spectacular of the Emeralds found in the country. This beautiful species with its prominent blue eyes frequents watery habitat of the lowlands.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as “Near Threatened” (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

I once watched a dragonfly of this species for well over an hour at Kombansanchaipooval awaiting until it perched to get an image, but it continued its flight over the pond without any break forcing me to give up and drive off as I had to reach the park entrance on time. However, while parked at Nelum Wila pitiya photographing a nest of Crested Hawk Eagle, one flew into my vehicle. The large insect made quite a racket before settling on the dashboard for a few seconds. I managed to get a few record images prior to helping it to fly out. This is not a common dragonfly at Wilpattu.