Orthetrum pruinosum

Orthetrum pruinosum, the crimson-tailed marsh hawk, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is a widespread species occurring from west India to Japan and south to Java and the Sunda Islands. A molecular phylogenetics study of Orthetrum dragonflies revealed that Orthetrum pruinosum is a cryptic species.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized.O. p. neglectum O. p. schneideri

''O. p. clelia''

Description and habitat

It is a medium-sized dragonfly with dark thorax with slight purple pruinescence and purple colored abdomen. Young males have red abdomen as in Orthetrum chrysis. Females of both species look similar. It breeds in ponds, lakes and sluggish streams.