[5] It is a nomadic damselfly found in India, Southeast Asia as far as New Caledonia, and northern parts of Australia.

In Australia, the distribution is in suitable habitat in the north-west and north-eastern part of the continent from about Broome to the south-eastern Queensland border.

[5] This species can be found in freshwater habitat types such as river lagoons, ponds, and swamps.

Sélys described a new species, Lestes umbrina in 1891 from the specimens he purchased that are collected by Atkinson.

Dumont et al. compared the specimens of these three species and concluded that they are synonyms as no structural differences were found among the color forms, varying from pale sand-coloured to greenish-blue.