Common parasol
Female Common parasols have completely clear, unmarked wings, unlike most other Neurothemis dragonflies in the region, which come in several different color forms.
| Where | Ponds, ditches and forest streams |
|---|---|
| Size | 30 to 34 mm body length |
| When | January to December |
Males are cherry red to red brown with dark patches at the hindwing base and white-tipped abdominal appendages; females are pale greenish yellow with clear wings and rows of small black marks along the abdomen.
It breeds at ponds, ditches, lakes and slow forest streams from lowland to upland habitats across tropical Asia, perching low over the water in sunny weather.
Traits
Habitat
Wetland
Colour
Red, Brown, Yellow
Active
Day
To people
Does not sting or bite; often seen perching on low waterside plants in full sun.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Fulvous forest skimmer males have red-tipped abdominal appendages instead of white, and females usually show colored wings rather than the entirely clear wings of the female Common parasol.
Questions
Is the Common parasol dangerous to people?
Does not sting or bite; often seen perching on low waterside plants in full sun.
When can you see the Common parasol?
The Common parasol can be seen from January to December, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by Duncan Brooks, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
Report a mistake in this entry
Dragonflies and damselflies›Skimmers›Neurothemis
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.