134: Euthygomphus yunnanensis (Zhou & Wu, 1992)

Number: 134 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Euthygomphus

Species: Euthygomphus yunnanensis / Indochinese Straight-banded Clubtail

Habitat: Forested Rivers

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Lomsak, Nakhorn Ratchasima, Petchabun, Narathiwat

In flight: April-August / Sightings (by me): Uncommon

Another species I saw, but only got a fleeting glimpse of, was Merogomphus parvus, which has been confirmed by Noppadon Makbun. Since I returned to the same place, I managed to capture good photos of of the adult male. The species is quite large with a slim abdomen and distinctive large band on the abdomen. It has greenish stripes, green eye and fairly large white appendages.

The Male...
He's a really stunning little fellow. However, it's a very shy creature and difficult to get close to. The male looks like many other species in the same genus. However, the white dorsal patch on S6-7 seems consistent (though does vary slightly), and it quite visible. This specimen I saw at a large waterfall near Lomsak, resting on the only bit of sandy deposits in the area.

Male in the hand ... 

This was the best I managed in extreme low light.

Caudal appendages

Dorsal view ... this was the best I managed in terrible lighting. Both superior (white) and inferior (black) appendages are in line when looking from above.

Lateral view ... here you can see how the inferior appendages are shorter and curve upwards.

The 'Teneral' Male

I saw this male briefly as it rested on a large lilly pad. However, once I got closer it flew away quickly.

 

The Female

Like with most gomphids, the females are rare to see than the males and, even if you do see one, it isn't always easy to ID them. Fortunately, the band on the female is very similar making ID OK.

The 'Teneral' Female

This could be a teneral of this species, though never easy to tell with female gomphids. It even had Noppadon Makbun a little stumped (and me totally at a loss), though it is likely this species, knowing which gomphids are known from here it was seen. If you know any different, let me know!