Description

A small, dark-bodied, relatively cryptic species that is found on the island of Borneo in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. From "Dow et al, 2020, Protosticta joepani sp. nov. from Borneo with notes on P. kinabaluensis Laidlaw, 1915 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae)

Protosticta joepani is typically found in steep forested terrain, perched on steep slopes, sometimes far above water; it is only occasionally collected at the streams where it presumably breeds. It occurs at ca 450–1500m a.s.l. but is probably most common in the middle of this range.

Observations on iNaturalist also describe males being found some distance from water, and suggest it may prefer to perch on small dead branches and twigs 20-50 cm off the ground.

When in flight, it is nearly invisible except for the blue ring on S8. Short flights from twig to twig appeared to be in search of small insect prey.

Identification

Protosticta joepani is similar to Drepanosticta versicolor in that both species have mostly dark bodies and abdomens, with males having a pale dorsal patch on the tip of the abdomen. Male P joepani have a mostly yellowish metepimeron. P. joepani males have a light blue patch covering the anterior ~2/3 of S8, and wrapping around the sides. D. versicolor has a pale dorsal patch on S9-10 that doesn't wrap around the sides.

P. joepani males have dark terminal appendages, while D. versicolor has pale terminal appendages.

P. joepani males have a pale pronotum, while D. versicolor has a dark pronotum.

D. versicolor males often have a long and slender curved spine on the pronotum.