118: Tramea transmarina euryale (Brauer, 1867)

Number: 118 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus:  Tramea

Species:  Tramea transmarina euryale / Saddlebag Glider

Habitat: Upland and Lowland Forested Ponds and Lakes

Location(s): Widespread

In flight: April-November / Sightings (by me): Locally common 

Another species I saw alongside Indothemis limbata limbata, was Tramea transmarina euryale, commonly known as the Saddlebag Glider. There were 4-5 males constantly patrolling the edges of the pond. I watched them for about 30 minutes and almost gave up on waiting for one land to take photos. However, my luck was in and a male landed in the bushes behind me, just while there was enough light left. Once it had landed, it wasn't easily frightened and both photos below are uncropped, using a 300 mm lens. Since seeing it for the first time in 2011, I have seen this species at numerous locations around Thailand and is widespread and locally common.

The Male

The thorax is brown and the abdomen is a strong red, with prominent dorsal marks on S8-9. The caudal appendages are black and very long. There is also red colouration to the base of the wings.

The Female

The female is similar to the male, but more of a brownish colour, rather than bright red. This one I saw in Narathiwat.

The 'Teneral' Female

This female had recently emerged. I managed to carefully collect her for a quick photo...

Before I released her unharmed...

The Copula

It's very rare for me to see a copula let alone be able to approach it so you could say I was just a little bit happy with this form Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary.

And what was also of note was the number of mites on the female... yummy!