120: Dysphaea gloriosa (Fraser, 1938)

Number: 120 / Family: Euphaeidae / Genus: Dysphaea 

Species: Dysphaea gloriosa

Common name(s): Glorious Velvetwing
Thai name(s): N/A
Habitat: Forested Rocky Streams 

Location(s): Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Petchabun, Loei, Trat 

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

Species easily confused with: Euphaea o. ochracea

*As there is no common name, I took the species name 'gloriosa' meaning 'Glorious' and 'Velvetwing' being the most consistent name given to the genus, Dysphaea.

A species that confused me so much was Dysphaea gloriosa. It looks so much like Euphaea ochracea, it is unbelievable. But when I saw it fly, it looks so different and thought that it must be a new species. It is bigger, the wings are solid ochre and it flies completely differently (the wings tend to move in a circular motion). The caudal appendages are much longer too. I sent photos to Noppadon Makbun and he confirmed that it was Dysphaea gloriosa, which I have named the Glorious Velvetwing, so a new species for me! Since then I have seen this species at numerous locations and can be the dominant species.

Anyway, it taught me a lesson. If you see a damselfly that looks slightly different... take lots of photos as it might be a new species!

The Male

It really is a stunning river dweller that has very long wings and are an obvious ochre colour. It is easily confused with Euphaea ochracea but the wings and the way it fly make it easier to pick out in the field.

Interestingly, this male has a distinct black tip and the whole population (15+ specimens) at a small stream on Koh Kood, Trat, were all the same. 

Here he is in a more natural position. They tend to 'hug' whatever they land on (large logs and rocks)...

Male in the hand. This shows how much larger it is than E. ochracea.

The Copula

Here is my only ever sighting of a tandem, which I saw at Tat Ton National Park in Chaiyaphum where there the species is abundant. Only a record shot, but very hard to see this.

The Female

I did manage to spot a solitary female on a cable high above a road in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary as it started to pour down. Here is the best I could get using a 400mm lens.

Here is how I first saw it... just as the rains came.

The 'Teneral' Female ???

When I visited a small stream near a resort I was staying at recently (8/7/12), I noticed a number of males. Very early the following morning I noticed a newly emerged female. Unfortunately, Euphaea masoni was also present. However, I have seen a number of females of that species and this one seemed larger. I could be wrong, though. Can anyone shed light on the matter? I know identifying teneral specimens can be very tough.