Pokhara, Lakes, Tansen

Phewa Taal

Pokhara region plus Phewa Taal, Rupa Taal, Begnas Taal, Dipang Taal, and Tansen

Pokhara is 210km west of Kathmandu and Nepal's second-largest city. It is a city of lakes, 9 in number within a few kilometers from Pokhara. Many tourists land in Pokhara to begin and end their treks into the Mustang and Annapurna regions. The most popular activities are boating on scenic Phewa Taal (lake) and paragliding over the lake, often with a stunning view of the Annapurna Himal. Phewa Taal is the largest of the lakes. It is about 4km long and 2km wide with the popular Hindu temple, Taal Barahi, built in the lake. But the downside is Phewa Taal is shrinking as sediments pour into the lake from construction and from a loss of stream flows that are redirected toward growing villages and tourist areas. 
The photos presented here are a collection from Phewa Taal and its feeder streams, plus an area to the north of Pokhara called Himja Khola and Mardi Khola. Tansen is about 125km southwest of Pokhara but at about the same elevation. Tansen is famous for Dhaka cloth and Rani Mahal, a palace built by a Rana King for his dead wife. There is a photo at the end.

Much of the Phewa Taal shoreline is disturbed by tourism development. The lake suffers from pollution that flows in from these local developments causing an overgrowth of water hyacinths and floating refuse. Given these side effects, the lake has many special types of dragonflies and damselflies in small pockets on the forested edge to the south and wetlands to the west. One special odonate I have yet to photograph is Philoganga montana but I hope to add this one to the photo sets soon.

Zygoptera

Lestes praemorsus dicepiens

Kirby, 1893

Elevation 80m to 1600m

Abdomen Length 32-35mm

Locations Dipang Taal, Godavari

This is a wetland species. It prefers to sit on grasses next to weedy ponds, drains, and borders of wetlands. The mark on the top of the thorax is key to its ID. A similar mark is found on L. dorothea but this one is smaller and has longer inferior anal appendages.

Male

Libellago lineata

(Burmeister 1839)

Elevation 80-900m

Locations: along Terai belt to Pokhara

Abdomen Length 15mm

They engage in fierce face-to-face fights as they defend their territory from other males. They are very active in slow rivers, lakes, and ponds. Females are always waiting on higher perches to watch the males battle. They will come down and mate with the chosen male and oviposit into vegetation or on the surface of floating logs. They mate in June and are seen from April through August. Distribution is from across central and northern India, Nepal, Vietnam, and down through Indonesia.

Paracypha unimaculata 

(Selys 1853)
Elevation 500-1800m
Abdomen Length 24mm

A delicate long-legged damselfly with wings longer than the body. It has a beautiful metallic green 'picture window' in the middle of the wing and there is a flash of emerald green when it flies. They are most often sitting on stones in the middle of the river. The females are a bit higher on vegetation or in the nearby bushes. Mating and ovipositing begin in Monsoon. This photo was taken on the way to Rani Mahal outside of Tansen. It was also on the river with Aristocypha quadrimaculata. This one is a Himalayan species found in NW India, Nepal, NE India, and Bhutan.

Aristocypha quadrimaculata

(Selys 1853)

Elevation 300 - 1500m

Abdomen length 19mm

A fairly common species in the hills on flowing streams. The one exception was one that I found on Phewa Taal, but it must have come from the jungle. Males have a pink triangle on the upper thorax and 'window panes' that form a unique pattern on the wings. Females are quite different and hard to tell from other related species, but they are usually nearby on shrubs while the males rest on stones. They are found from May to August. Distribution is in the Himalayan foothills from NW India, Nepal, NE India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Aristocypha trifasciata

(Selys 1853)

Elevation 600 - 1800m

Abdomen 22 - 24mm

Commonly seen on sluggish small canals and streams and occasionally on faster mountain streams. The emerald green forewing has various black patterns - a smudge at the wingtip, one complete line (varies in intensity) behind the pterostigma to the wing border, and occasionally there is another line below the nodus on the wing edge. There is always a pinkish-purple mesothoracic triangle on the males. The female's wings are infumed but unmarked.

Prodasineura autumnalis 

(Fraser 1922)

Elevation 80 - 800m

Abdomen Length 29-31mm

The Black Threadtail is found on Phewa Taal in dense shrubbery. It is fairly widespread in South Asia and even in Sumatra and Borneo but never very common when found. The lake is a perfect place for this slow-moving but fast to disappear damselfly. It is seen mostly from May, June, and August in the monsoon season. Below are photos of a male, a juvenile male, and a female.

In a secluded forest at Phewa Taal

On the southeastern side of the lake is a dense forest that extends from the lake edge to the ridgeline above the lake. There are two water sources used by Pokhara. But the management of who gets to use this water is not right. With the placement of many water pipes, many end up damaging the sources. One water source heavily piped is seasonal and dry during the winter and only flows when rains start. This stream is home to four species that will disappear with the end of the water - Drepanosticta carmichaeli, Calicnemia nipalica, Philoganga montana, and Microgomphus phewataali.

Platystictidae

Drepanosticta carmichaeli 

Laidlaw, 1915

Elevation 200-900m

Abdomen Length 36-37mm

This is a forest damselfly that is found in the Himalayan region from Uttarakhand to Nepal, Bhutan, and East India. A suggested name is Carmichael's Forest Shadow Damselfly. The ID is straightforward with the long slender brown body and bright blue at segments 8 & 9. This one is from the jungle area on the south side of Phewa Taal next to a small waterfall. It shows up in May/June until July in some places. In 2019 it was found in many places around Nepal - Pokhara, Hetauda, Syangja, Lamjung, and Nuwakot.

Family Platycnemididae

Calicnemia nipalica 

Kimmins, 1958

Elevation 800 - 1500m

Abdomen Length 23mm

This damselfly dangles from leaves in the damp dark forest area on Phewa Taal, it is also found in the wetland at Godavari. Mature males have purplish-blue stripes on the thorax, the abdomen is bright red from segments 3 to 6 then from the 7th segment black, and creamy white anal appendages tipped black. This species is only found in dark secluded forest wetlands, usually in the same places as Depanosticta carmichaeli. Not common at any of the existing locations - listed as Vulnerable (IUCN). Seen from May/June to the end of Monsoon.

Calicnemia pulverulans 

(Selys 1886)

Elevation 800 - 1500

Abdomen Length 31mm 

This is another forest-dwelling species. It is powdery blue as an adult with black anal appendages. This species and C. nipalica are found in the same habitat both at Phewa taal and in Godavari. The pruinose coloration shows early in the season on males and the abdomens of females. They are slightly more common. They are found from May/June to August/September.

On the way to Tansen - South of Pokhara

Calicnemia doonensis carminea 

Lieftnick 1984
Elevation 500-1700
Abdomen length 33mm

Endemic to Nepal. There has been some discussion as to whether or not this is a valid species and what name it should be given since there were several published records from Dehra Dun India in 1984 and by Hämäläinen (1989) who made several interesting observations; first, this Calicnemia has no relationship to C. miniata; second, it is the same taxon as C. carmine pyrrhosoma also from the same location but pre-dating the record. Another complication was a description of this Calicnemia by Lieftinck also in 1984 of C. carminea carminea from Nepal, which has now been given subspecies status of C. doonensis.  Currently, the nomenclature is not clear as to what the species name should be and if the Nepal species is the same as the Dehra Dun species. Found only in Nepal in the mid-hills at several locations, one was on the way up to Daman at an elevation of 1600m and another is near Tansen at 800m. The inferior anal appendages are longer than the superior. Older males tend to darken on the lateral thorax to a dark purplish-blue. Usually, a good number are found when at the right spot, which includes a very small running stream and some seepage with lots of vegetation. 

Calicnemia eximia
Selys 1863
Elevation 300 -2100m
Abdomen Length 30-34mm

They resemble other red Calicnemia sp. at first but when the small dot of yellow is seen on the humeral area of the thorax it is certain to be C. eximia. Males and females are similar except in coloration. They are usually found next to seepages similar to Drepanosticta locations and often in the same place. This one was near Mardi Khola on a rock wall next to a small stream. They are found from May through August and across the Himalayan region.

Coeliccia renifera 

(Selys 1886)

Elevation 500 - 1800m

Abdomen Length 33-37mm

In a cove on Phewa Taal, this damselfly was hanging on the vegetation near the waterfall. It is a beautiful green and black with creamy white anal appendages. A pale yellow teneral male was nearby. The area was shaded and wet perfect for this type of damselfly. They are a monsoon-loving species and are found near streams and seepages from June through August. They are found in the Himalayan parts of India, NW and NE India.

Family Coenagrionidae

Pseudagrion australasiae

Selys, 1876

Elevation 80-800mm

Abdomen 30-32mm

Location Dipang Taal

Very similar to P. microcepahlum with the main differences being the large spot on the side of the thorax, short anal appendages, and larger size. The female is similar to the male but more blue-green in color.

Pseudagrion rubriceps

(Selys 1876)

Elevation of sea level to 1500m

Abdomen length 29mm

A very striking damselfly with red eyes and a bright blue thorax. It lives on the water of small ponds and lakes drifting between the grasses. The bright orange-red eyes and face are the key to the ID of this species. This is a very common SE Asian damselfly. It is found during monsoon.

Agriocnemis clauseni 

Fraser 1922

Elevation 80 - 800m

Abdomen Length 20-22mm

A tiny damselfly that is slightly larger than A. pygmaea. This is a very pretty damselfly that was seen at Rupa Taal. The female is slightly larger, with two different colored forms, one similar to the male and one as in the photo is colored reddish-brown with black on segments 7-10. They are found around paddy, small lakes, and forested areas near lakes at elevations from 100 to 800m. They are recorded in Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Nepal (from the Terrai to Pokhara). Found from mid-April through September.

Agriocnemis pygmaea 

Rambur 1842
Elevation sea-level - 1500m
Abdomen Length 16-17mm

Pygmaea is a very common species although very hard to spot because of its small size. It is usually found in the grasses next to lakes and ponds. Referred to as the Pygmy Wisp, Wandering Midget, or Wandering Wisp depending on where you see it. Females can be found in a red form, and a green form very similar to the males. In Nepal, it is seen mostly during the monsoon. Distribution is throughout Asia to the Solomon Islands.

Ischnura rubilio

(Selys 1876)

Elevation sea level to 1800m

Abdomen Length 16-20mm

Another small and easy-to-miss damselfly except that the blue at the end of the abdomen is easy to spot. This one is usually present before and during the monsoon. Widespread throughout Asia and closely related to Ischnura aurora which is an Australasian species. Formerly all Ischnura in the Asia and Australasia region were I. aurora but recent information on color patterns has separated them into two species. So I. rubilio is the name used in Sri Lanka, India, China, and SE Asia.

Ischnura rufostigma rufostigma (group)

Selys 1876

Elevation 100-1600m

Abdomen length 23mm

This one is the sub-species found in Pokhara (but different from Kathmandu) along the edge of Phewa Taal and at Rupa Taal. It has no blue on the abdomen just two small orange coma-shaped marks on each side of segment 8. The females can be found in the red form, green from, and similar to the male. They are found from March through the end of September. The I. rufostigma group is widely distributed and there are many differences within the group, but all are lumped under rufostigma. It has been divided into several subspecies but still, the amount of work on this one is inconclusive. Vick 1986 divided them into two groups from Pokhara as I. rufostigma rufostigma and from Kathmandu (Vick) as I rufostigma carpentieri but then Asahina 1991 changed that to I.rufostigma montana and then just forma.

This one is from Godavari just for comparison.

Ceriagrion azureum

(Selys, 1891)

Elevation 800-1700m

Abdomen Length 34-38mm

They prefer swampy areas near the lake edge. They are pretty to see and found at the same time of year as Drepanosticta, but not seen after the monsoon. This one is also seen in the wetland area of Godavari. It is found across Himalayan India, Nepal, Myanmar, and over to Vietnam and southern China.

Ceriagrion coromandelianum

(Fabricius 1798)

Elevation sea level to 2000m

Abdomen Length 28-30mm

Common names include Yellow Waxtail, Coromandel Bush Dart, and Yellow Waxtail. This is a very common species in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and probably other locations in the region. It is not picky about habitat and can also be found in disturbed areas, next to ponds and lakes preferring dense shrubbery.

Anisoptera

The scenery in the area near Mardi Khola with a bridge across the river.

Family Macromiidae

Macromia flavocolorata 

Fraser 1922

Elevation 200-800m

Abdomen Length 44-47mm

I saw this one by accident as I was leaving the small forested area across Phewa Taal. A. Macromia sp. had been attacked by a Robber Fly and the fly was zigzagging through the air as it tried to carry the larger Macromia - hard to see in the photo below. This was at the end of May 2017. It seems to be widely distributed regionally from the Western Ghats, across the Himalayan foothills to Laos and Thailand.  

Epophthalmia frontalis

(Selys 1871)

Elevation 200-800m

Abdomen Length 51-53mm

This one is usually a blur in my photos but I was lucky to get a shot in fairly good focus. It is hard to find it sitting for a photo and the name Pond Cruiser fits as it is rarely still. I find it all around Phewa Taal but have not seen it on the other smaller lakes nearby. It is found in India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and possibly Myanmar.

Aeshnidae

Gynacantha bayadera

Selys 1891

Elevation 800 - 2000m

Abdomen length 45mm

Well spotted by a student from the Forestry Campus in Pokhara. She saw it under some vegetation where typically they are impossible to see - not only due to the dark location where they hide but also their cryptic coloration. They fly at dusk and dawn. They are seen from June to October when they are mating again before the winter. They have a wide distribution in Asia.

Gomphidae

Burmagomphus hasimaricus 

Fraser 1926

Elevation 600-900m

Abdomen Length 32mm

The Pokhara Museum has a specimen and I have confirmed my ID with that one. A female teneral specimen was taken because it was so badly damaged as seen below. I found it clinging to a stick next to the lake with very badly damaged wings. It is recorded as data deficient by IUCN. The first record was from Hasimara West Bengal. Since it was just emerging at the start of the monsoon it must mate and fly during June.

Microgomphus phewataali 

Conniff and Limbu 2018

Elevation 800m

Abdomen Length 30mm

This is a new endemic species for Nepal. Although recently discovered it may soon vanish because of water extraction from the small wetland where it was found. Photos show the type of male (2018) anal appendages and paratype of the female below.
In 2017, I first noticed the female ovipositing in small puddles along a small jungle stream, it was not flowing any longer, due to water extraction. Then a male came in but landed so close - next to my shoe, I could hardly focus. When I stepped back he was gone up into the trees. The anal appendages were in fairly good focus and the female was found with eggs hanging to the end of the abdomen. I knew then that was a Microgomphus and new to Nepal. It appears in early May and is there one month then gone again for one year. The description was published in Odonatologica in December 2018.

Nepogomphus modestus

(Selys, 1878)

Elevation 80 - 1000m

Abdomen Length 27-29mm

Found in several locations, from locations in North East India to several locations in Nepal. It rests on rocks mid-stream of flowing rivers. The characteristic testicle-like lobe behind the secondary genitals gives the ID without a doubt. This is seen in the photo below just under the 2nd segment of the abdomen. It is not very common but it is found in central and eastern regions of Nepal and NE Indian region.

Anisogomphus occipitalis 

(Selys 1854)
Elevation 500 - 2000m
Abdomen Length 52mm

This is a common species found in various places in Nepal and regionally. I photographed one Phewa Taal and this photograph was taken on a small wet weedy area near the Mardi Khola not far from a small stream. The anal appendages from these two closely related species are shown below and compared in the two photo sets,. The main differences are seen in the anal appendages, markings and A. occipitalis are usually on smaller streams and jungle areas. 

Anisogomphus orites 

Laidlaw 1922

Elevation 900 - 1500m

Abdomen Length 31mm

This species is separated from its close relative A. occipitalis (see below) by the shape of the anal appendages, the long spines on the femora, and markings on the abdomen. It was sitting on a rock above the Mardi Khola (River). No females were found. The date was early October. It has only been recorded in Nepal and NE India - Assam and Sikkim.

Scalmogomphus schmidti

Fraser 1937

Elevation 1400-1800m

Abdomen length 39mm

One weekend in September I met with a series of Gomphids along streams on the highway to Pokhara and heading out of Pokhara. I have only seen this one time on a stream above Rani Mahal outside of Tansen. I don't have any information on its habits. I have only seen it once and have two photos. It seems to be suited to the Himalayan region.

Lamelligomphus biforceps

(Selys, 1878)

Elevation 700 -1800m

Abdomen Length 41mm

This species closely resembles Nycogomphus duarcus but has a few differences in markings on the abdomen and larger-sized anal appendages. It is also more common, it seems to be widespread as I have seen it near Melamchi, in Godavari, and outside of Pokhara.

Lamelligomphus risi 

(Fraser 1922)

Elevation 600 - 1200m

Abdomen Length 45mm

This species is similar to O. duarcus and to L. biforceps but it lacks the yellow coloration on the last 2 segments and has fewer markings on the abdomen and thorax. I found this on a small stream next to a school on the road to Pokhara. It was not a clean place and was very disturbed by the local children. I checked again in 2018 and found it further upstream. Again this was one that I found in September 1015, but I know very little about its habits.

Scalmogomphus bistrigatus

Hagen, 1854

Elevation 400-1800m

Abdomen Length 38mm

Previously, Onychogomphus bistrigatus (Hagen in Selys, 1854). I found this newly emerged male next to a stream in a shaded forest at Hemja off the Baglung Road outside of Pokhara. There was a small patch of good forest on one side of the Hemja Khola (stream) with a small seepage. This was the same place where I found Drepanosticta carmichaeli. I am not sure of the habits or seasonality of this one.

Paragomphus lineatus 

(Selys 1850)

Elevation Sea-level - 1500m

Abdomen Length 24-27mm

This is a fairly common species on rivers and streams in the Pokhara area. Common names are Lined Hooktail or Common Hooktail. They are found sitting on sandy banks or stones next to rivers and streams. The season is from April through September.



Women fishing on a canal at Rupa Taal.

Libellulidea

Aethriamanta brevipennis

(Rambur 1842)

Elevation 80 to 800m

Abdomen Length 17-20mm

A bright red dragonfly with tiny red spots on the hind coxae, the female and juvenile males are similar just yellow. They are found in wetlands and forest areas near wetlands. They show up after the monsoon in June and are found through the end of August and maybe September. Distribution is wide across south-central India including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and NE India to Indonesia. 

Pantala flavescens 

(Fabricus 1798)
Elevation - worldwide
Abdomen Length 29-35mm

The Wandering Glider rests on the grass at the edge of the lake. Found in many countries around the world - it is a migratory species. In Nepal, they occur in great numbers in spring, April - May, and after the monsoon in August and September. They mate quickly during monsoon and a new population takes off on its migratory mission. A new batch returns toward the end of the monsoon. They have been recorded migrating to Africa from Sri Lanka and South Indian coasts.

Acisoma panorpoides 

Rambur 1842
Elevation sea-level to 1500m
Abdomen Length 15-18mm

Also dwelling in the grasses next to the three lakes and in the wetlands. A very common species across the Asian region. Commonly called the Grizzled Pintail. Males are powder blue and females yellow with white anal appendages. They are found in the grassy linings of ponds and lakes or wetlands.

Brachythemis contaminata 

(Fabricius, 1793)

Elevation sea-level to 1500

Abdomen Length 18-21mm

A very common dragonfly is found on lakes, ponds, and in disturbed areas. These were seen near the dam at the East end of Phewa Taal. Found throughout monsoon and into October.

Cratilla lineata calverti

(Forester 1903)

Elevation 80-900m

Abdomen Length 30-32mm

This is a forest species that was found on a small artificial pond at a hotel on the way to the Peace Pagoda climbing the path above Phewa Taal. Walking up a small trail there are a few small lodges where this one was found. The males are similar at first glance to Potamarcha congener, but the pale face and metallic-colored frons are very good for the ID of this species.

Male

Female

Diplacodes lefebvrii 

(Rambur 1842)

Elevation 200-900m

Abdomen Length 17-25mm

The Black Percher is a rare find in Nepal. This was a new sighting found on a hill above Pokhara at a resort called Tiger Mountain. It was very unexpected on a dry hilltop. I only saw one and know nothing about its habits. It is probably similar to its relative D. trivialis. It is widespread throughout Africa, the Middle East, and a few locations in central India.

Neurothemis fulvia
Drury 1773
Elevation sea-level to 1800m
Abdomen Length 21-26mm

The Fulvous Forest Skimmer is very common all over Nepal, but usually below 1600m. Most often seen near paddy fields, ponds, and wetlands starting from early March through October. The Female has fully colored wings and the male, more reddish has a small round spot at the wing apex. It has a wide distribution in Asia from India to Taiwan. It is seen early in the spring in April and is still found in October. It is distributed across SE Asia to East Asia and found in Taiwan.

Female

Male

Neurothemis t. tulia

Drury 1773

Elevation Sea-level to 800m

Abdomen Length 16-20mm

The Pied Paddy Skimmer or Pied Parasol is found all over Asia usually near paddy fields and wetlands, and so it is also found at all three lakes. I have yet to see it above 1000m. When found there are usually many in number (possibly triggered by some weather event) mass hatchings are common in April. The females are different from the males with brown markings, and the males with black and cream markings in the wings.

Palpopleura sexmaculata

(Fabricus 1787)

Elevation 80-1800m

Abdomen Length 14-16mm

A common species across the Himalaya Hindu Kush region. It is listed in Sri Lanka but that is doubtful. It is usually near paddy lands and lakeside vegetation. It is very small but the blue-colored males and golden females are found prominently on sticks in the middle of vegetated areas. They are found from pre-monsoon to after-monsoon up to October.

Trithemis aurora 

(Burmeister 1839)

Elevation sea-level to 1800m

Abdomen Length 21-29mm

This photo was taken at Begnas Taal, but it is found on all the lakes near Pokhara, in Godavari, and the Terrai. It is easy to spot from the bright fuchsia-colored abdomen, brown wing spot, and red veins. Females are different having a golden color abdomen. Distributed across Asia to Australasian regions.

Female

Male

Trithemis festiva 

(Rambur 1842) 

Elevation sea-level - 2000m

Abdomen Length 22-28mm

Resting on a branch to survey the area for females and prey. T festiva is one of the most commonly seen species on small streams, rivers, and lakes. It is also found all over Nepal. The females are rarely seen, once they mate and oviposit, they quickly vanish into the shrubbery. Their elevation limit is about 1800m. It is found in many places from Greece, all of Asia and Australasia. 

Trithemis pallidinervis

Kirby 1888

Elevation sea-level to 2500m

Abdomen Length 28-32mm

The Dancing Dropwing or the more descriptive Long-legged Marsh Glider, was a late arrival - well after the monsoon in late September through the end of October, in the swampy grassland on the west side of Phewa Taal. They have a very distinctive pose with their wings and abdomen held high. Male and Female below. Like T. festiva they are widely placed from the Middle East to Papua New Guinea.

Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

Burmeister, 1839

Elevation 200 - 2000m

Abdomen Length 28-31mm

A very common species in a variety of habitats all across Nepal. The color is distinctive and not easily confused with other red-colored species, but females are more difficult to determine. It is seen before during and after the monsoon. They have two mating periods at the beginning of the season in May and again in October. It is common in many locations from Afghanistan to Japan. 

Orthetrum s. sabina 

(Drury, 1779)

Elevation sea-level to 2300m

Abdomen Length 30-36mm

Called the Slender or Green Skimmer; it is widespread throughout Nepal and across Asia usually found next to ponds and lakes. Below are male and female specimens taken from the lakeside near the city. These are seen almost all year in the warmer areas. It is very commonly found in many countries from Egypt to Australia.

Orthetrum glaucum 

(Brauer 1865)

Elevation 80-1600m

Abdomen Length 29-35mm

Asian Skimmer is identified from the blackface and dusky blue abdomen with a dark brownish-black thorax. It is found in a variety of habitats from stones in streams and rivers to wetlands near ponds. Distribution is from the western coast of India, Sri Lanka to Japan and the Philippines. 

Tramea basilaris

(Palisot de Beauvois 1805)

Elevation of level to 1700m

Abdomen Length 30-35mm

The Key Hole Glider is appropriate with the wing pattern showing from below as it sits above in trees and rests on bare branches from where it will zing out after something to eat. It is a high flyer and that allows for long-distance flights. This one and the one below were on top of trees at Tiger Mountain. Regionally in NE India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia.

Tramea virginia

(Rambur 1842)

Elevation 500-900m

Abdomen Length 34-37mm

Found across the region from India to East Asia. It breeds in ponds and flies to treetops where they spend time watching for prey. This one was sharing the same treetop at Tiger Mountain as T basilaris burmeisteri. The wing pattern is a good way to identify this one because it is usually up on high branches. It is found in Pakistan, NW India, NE India, China, and East Asia.

Zygonyx iris 

Selys 1869

Elevation 80-800m

Abdomen Length 39mm

The Iris Cascader needs fast-moving water and loves waterfalls. It breeds in the fast currents and larvae develop clinging to the stones in the fast-moving water. Rare to find one at rest as in the above photo as they usually cruise over their territory. There are several sub-species listed that result in wider distribution but mostly it is found on mountain streams across SE Asia and in Thailand and Vietnam. 

Tansen area
Rani Mahal at Ranighat on Kali Gandaki River in 2016 and 2019

Rani Mahal or Queen's Palace was built in 1887 by General Khadga Samsher Rana and dedicated to one of his deceased wives Tej Kumari Devi. It is located at a lonely spot called Rani Ghat on the Kali Gandaki River. Over years of abandonment and disrepair, Rani Mahal was falling apart until recently the government began investing in fixing it up for use as a museum. Once a good road is made the number of visitors will increase. A beautiful untouched forest called Rani Ban along the road meets with a stream where many lovely dragonflies are found.