76. Mortonagrion aborense (Laidlaw, 1914)

No: 76 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Mortonagrion

Name: Mortonagrion aborense / Blue Midget 

Habitat: Forested Streams and Ponds

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: April-November / Sightings (by me): Fairly common

Easily confused with: Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola

A tiny damselfly that is supposed to be uncommon, but I have seen quite a few times, is Mortonagrion aborense, commonly known as the Blue Midget. Not surprising really as it is tiny. You can find this species in shaded areas under tree canopies at forested, weedy ponds and streams. Mature males and females are blue and black in colour

The Male

 As it is a tiny species, it is often easy to overlook. However, its bright blue/green stripes on its thorax and the blue end segments, help it to stand out. It also has distinctive markings along the abdomen. Here is a male I saw at Phu Kradeung NP, which has green hues to the thorax. Note that the blue section near the appendages can vary slightly as it ages. 

The 'Young' Male

The young male's abdomen is often quite reddish in colour, making you jump for joy and thinking you have a new species. Alas, no. It will eventually also go blue. Note: large cluster of mites on the abdomen.

The 'Teneral' Male

This male I saw at Nam Nao NP is probably only a few hours old. However, you can still make out the thoracic markings.

The Female

 Though I have spotted the male fairly frequently, the female I have only seen on a small number of occasions. It is similar to the male, but lighter in colour and the markings on the abdomen are slightly different. Like many species, the female changes colour as it ages, from reddish to blue.

The 'Young' Female

The young female's abdomen is like that of the male's so don't fist pump just yet if you see one. Likewise, it will eventually also go blue. 

The Copula

At last, I have managed to spot a copula. It was the first time I spotted this species at Phu Khieo and it turned out to be a copula to boot.

Another copula

... and ovipositing (laying eggs)

 - a very rare sight for me.