77. Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum Needham, 1930

No: 77 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Pseudagrion

Name: Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum / Grey Sprite 

Habitat: Forested streams and ponds

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

Easily confused with: N/A

A medium-sized damselfly I have seen from Chiang Mai to Narathiwat is Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum. Commonly known as the Grey Sprite, it is a lovely little dragonfly that usually hangs around grasses and reeds that overhang small, shallow streams. It is supposed to me common but I only ever on occasion and, even then, it is in low numbers. That said, once you do see it, it is unmistakeable, especially the male.

The Male

The male is instantly recognisable, with its orange face and heavily pruinosed thorax. If spotted, I tend to only see it in small numbers.

The 'Young' Male

This is a close-up of a young male that is yet to adorn his pruinescence... but still has his orange face.

The Female

Like many species I have seen over the three years I have been looking on and off for odonata, the female Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum has proved to be tough to find and I have only spotted the female once in Chiang Mai and once in Chaiyaphum.