Common Amberwing
About the Common Amberwing in Singapore
Last updated 2 June 2026
The Common Amberwing (Brachythemis contaminata) is a small to medium-sized dragonfly, easily recognised by the amber tint on their wings.
Identifying features
Check out some of the identifying features of the Common Amberwing below.
Male Common Amberwings have orange bodies, their wings tinted deep amber with clear wing tips, while females have light brown body and clear wings with yellow-orange wingspots.
Interested to learn more about how to identify Dragonflies? Check out our simple guide on identifying Dragonflies!
Habitat and ecology
The Common Amberwing is frequently found near open water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the difference between the male Common Amberwing and the female Common Parasol?
The male Common Amberwing and female Common Parasol can look very similar, especially if the amber tint on the Common Amberwing is not obvious.
To tell them apart, check the dragonfly’s abdomen markings! The male Common Amberwing lacks dark markings along the sides of its abdomen, while the female Common Parasol will show dark markings along the sides of its abdomen. This is key for spotting the difference between a male Common Amberwing and a female Common Parasol.
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Enjoy spotting dragonflies, or interested to learn more about the ones you see in our parks and gardens? Join us for the Dragonfly Watch to collect valuable data about local species, which contributes to their conservation.
Learn more about the Common Amberwing!
Curious about the Common Amberwing? Here are some interesting articles you can read to learn more about them.
