82. Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola (Selys, 1877)

No: 82 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Argiocnemis

Name: Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola / Blue-tipped Shadefly* / แมลงปอเข็มปลายตุ้มฟ้า

Habitat: Shaded ponds, streams and lakes (uplands & lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: March-December / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: Mortonagrion aborense

*Name adapted up by me (based on Thai names/existing common names of other species in genus).

Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola is another small damselfly that changes colour at different stages of its life. It is fairly common and I have seen it at a number of places throughout Thailand. 

The male

The mature male has blue stripes on the thorax and the abdomen has distinct markings. S8-9 and half of S7 are blue. Caudal appendages are black.

Male, in the hand

The sub-adult male

The younger males vary in colour from yellow to green stripes on the thorax with a red abdomen. The markings on S7-9 are white at this stage.

The female

The mature female is predominately blue/black, similar to that of the male.

Very old female

Another female

This female has slightly different markings to the one above.

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Photo added (taken 26/03/2011 @ Kanchanaburi, added 25/04/2011)

The sub-adult female

As with the younger males, the young female will vary in colour from yellow to green stripes on the thorax with a red abdomen. The markings on the 7th segment is white at this stage.

A teneral female (at Nam Nao National Park)...

I have seen this species at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Chantaburi, Nam Nao National Park, Petchabun and Kanchanaburi. I believe it to be a widespread species and is around throughout the year.