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.