56. Megalestes kurahashii (Asahina, 1985)

No: 56 / Family: Synlestidae / Genus: Megalestes

Name: Megalestes kurahashii / Thai Broadwing Sylph*

Habitat: Upland forested streams

Province(s): Chiang Mai
In flight: April-June / Sightings (by me): Uncommon

Easily confused with: N/A

*As there is no common name, I based in on 'Thai Broadwing' taken from the Thai name and 'Sylph', relating to a mythical air spirit.

One of the biggest damselflies I have come across, is Megalestes kurahashii. Although it is big, it is very difficult to spot. Mainly because it skulks around in darkened areas and has excellent camouflage - if it moves at all. I saw a few males and females, when I visited Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, in April 2010. I returned in July 2024 and only saw a few specimens this time, so I assume it is more common earlier in the year.

The Male

If you don't move, it doesn't either and it is hard to see, even though it's massive. The darkish metallic green blends perfectly with the branch and it's hard to see in the gloom (used flash in the photos). It also has stunning blue eyes.

The 'Young' Male

I only saw one male when I visited Doi Inthanon first time round (not looking in the right place). It was hanging around the edge of the large lake near the headquarters (that doesn't exist any more). Unlike the mature male, it has a lighter metallic green and yellow markings to the thorax and a virtually green abdomen, only the caudal appendages are whitish in colour. Furthermore, the eyes are more of a greenish colour. Very cool species.

Here, he was almost blown off his perch by a strong gust of wind.

The Female

The female is almost identical to the male, except the markings differ slightly along the thorax and the abdomen is slightly more robust. Also the end segments are rather chunky (2nd photos shows it up very well indeed).

I have only seen this species at Doi Inthanon in April. They were not common, but I did manage to spot 2 females and 1 male. The females were at the small river just outside the headquarters and the male was at the large lake near the headquarters. Both places are close together and I imagine that they oviposit in the river and not the lake. If you look for them, you really have to look hard!