49. Orthetrum chrysis (Selys, 1891)

No: 49 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum chrysis / Brown-backed Red Marsh Hawk

Habitat: Seepage, ponds, marshes, streams and rivers (uplands and lowlands)
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Very common

Easily confused with: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

Another very common Orthetrum species is Orthetrum chrysis. Commonly known as the Brown-backed Red Marsh Hawk, it is easily confused with O. pruinosum neglectum (I used to get confused all the time). The male is much redder in colour than its counterpart and also has a red tinge to the face. 

The male

The male is often spotted by the water's edge from rivers to virtually dried up streams in lowlands and forested areas. The abdomen of the adult male is a vivid red and also has a red tinge to the face. The thorax is a brown colour and the eyes has a slight blue tint to them.

In the hand ...

Red nose ...

The red nose (or frons) is the easy way to tell the difference 

in this species and O. Pruinosum Neglectum

Looks a bit like Alex Ferguson, I think.

A sad end...

In perfect harmony...

This photo is ideal for showing the difference between the two closely related Orthetrum species. The male Orthetrum chrysis (below), and O. pruinosum neglectum (top). O. Pruinosum Neglectum is much more of a pastel red and not as vivid. The thorax also has more of a blue tinge to it.

The female...

This one had just finished ovipositing, with the male hovering above. She flew about 3 metres away from the water's edge and into some bushes, where I caught her. The female is more of an orange colour than other females of the same genus. 

An ancient female (probably) ...

This is a very very old and worn out female (though there is a small possibility it is O. pruinosum neglectum)

Teneral female

This female had only just emerged and already carried a lot of the red/orange colouration. This ensures that I incorrectly identified the previous teneral female (which has now been removed). I saw the below specimen at Nam Nao Helicopter Pad lake at the 25th of February. It is probably one of the first to emerge for the year.

A copula

This copula I spotted at Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, in Narathiwat. It was an incredibly common species here.

Another copula in Chaiyaphum enjoying their time in the late afternoon sun. Very romantic.