Dragonflies in Sengendo Pond
The shallow pond next to this building is the habitat of some 15 kinds of dragonfly, including several threatened species. The pond and the wetland around it are completely natural, formed by rainwater pooling in slight depressions in the hard clay soil that covers this area and lets very little water permeate. Together with the surrounding forest, the pond is an ideal environment for dragonflies, which lay their eggs on the stems of plants growing in the water. After hatching, the baby dragonflies live in the pond as larvae until they are ready to turn into winged adults. They then migrate to the forest, where they mature before returning to the pond to mate. These are some of the dragonfly species that can be spotted at Sengendo Pond:
Scarlet skimmer (Crocothemis servilia mariannae)
This bright red dragonfly inhabits the pond from May to early September and is one of the most commonly seen species in the area. The scarlet skimmer relies on reflections from the water’s surface for navigation, and will thus stay away from the pond if it gets overgrown.
Ceriagrion melanurum
This light green and yellow species is technically not a dragonfly but a damselfly. The most noticeable difference between the two is that damselflies fold their wings back when at rest, while dragonflies keep theirs flat away from the body. Seen here from May to early September, the Ceriagrion melanurum is sensitive to pesticides and cannot live near places where modern agriculture is practiced.
Pied skimmer (Pseudothemis zonata)
A common sight in the pond between June and late September, the pied skimmer is distinguished by the thick white stripe that runs across its black body just behind the wings. This coloring serves as a camouflage in the pond, where light and shadows alternate.