No: 87 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Tetrathemis
Name: Tetrathemis platyptera / Pygmy Skimmer
Habitat: Forested Ponds, Marshland & Slow-moving Streams
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: April-October / Sightings (by me): Locally Common
In flight: April-October / Sightings (by me): Locally Common
Tetrathemis platyptera is a small dragonfly that I have seen on several occasions at different water sources, from large rivers to small farm ponds under lots of tree cover. It is easily confused with T. irregularis, but one of the easiest ways to distinguish the two species, is that T. irregularis has clear wings (apparently) and T. platyptera has yellow/orange colouration to the base of the wings. Also, I have never even seen T. irregularis (I believe it is very much a southern species).
The adult male
This adult male has distinct yellow and black markings and its vivid turquoise eyes. the yellow base of the hind wings can clearly be seen, which distinguishes the species.
In the hand...
A male I caught in Khao Yai NP.
The "Old" Male
This is a very old male that has lost lots of its colour. You can still make out the markings on its thorax and abdomen.
The 'Teneral' Male
I saw this teneral male when I visited Nam Nao National Park in October 2010. It has all the markings of the adult, but the wings are still colourless and the eyes haven't yet developed that dazzling metallic sheen.
Another teneral male I saw at Khao Yai.
The Female
The female is very much like the male, but the markings are a little different and the abdomen is much more robust.
This photo gives good indication of just how small this species is. Also, it shows up the markings on the thorax very well indeed, as well as the yellow base of the wings. I managed to catch this female by hand. It was sheltering under trees in a darkened area just after a heavy storm at Phu Wiang National Park last October.
The 'Teneral' Female...
This female I saw recently at a stream next to Nam Nao town, Petchabun, has very prominent colouration to the wings. Something I rarely see in this area, especially as a teneral specimen.
The Copula
This is the first copula (wheel) I have seen of this species (it lasted about 5 seconds).
Another copula I saw (again very briefly)...
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