Gynacantha japonica (Blue-spotted duskhawker)

Habitat: larvae found in ponds and paddy fields

General appearance: body large sides, up to 35mm long; head pentagonal with occipital lobe rounded and large eyes; apex of labial palp truncate at end hook (cf. inconspicuous end hook in Anaciaeschna jaspidea); one of key features for genus Gynacantha is presence of setae on palpal lobe; legs slender with dark markings; wing sheaths extending to abdominal segment IV; abdomen spindle-shaped with lateral spines on abdominal segments VI - IX (reduced on S5), no dorsal spine