164: Onychothemis culminicola Förster, 1904

Number: 164 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Onychothemis 
Species: Onychothemis culminicola / Brick-red River Hawk*
Habitat: Forested Shallow Sandy Streams
 Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai, Narathiwat, Pratchup Khirikhan, Yala

In flight: May-August / Sightings (by me): Uncommon
Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there is no common name, I have named it myself, partly based on the translation of Thai name and Onychothemis being known as River Hawks. 

At last, I have spotted a new member of the Libellulidae family. It is well over a year since I spotted my last new record species from the family. This time, it is in the shape of Onychothemis culminicola, a beautiful and bold species, easily recognised by its bright red abdomen and brown thorax boasting strong yellowish stripes. I have spotted its relative, O. testacea testacea, on several occasions and they were also clearly the dominant species at a very shallow and sandy stream situated just below Pa La-U waterfall. I was actually there to try and locate Nihonogomphus pulcherrimus, which I was guided to by Pattarawich Dawwrueng. Amazingly, I did see a solitary male. However, it was unable to land as it was attacked by numerous  O. testacea every time it arrived at the water's edge. It was obviously spooked by them and just flew around before finally flying up high into the treetops. I was annoyed that I didn't photograph it, but happy at the same time as I managed to see it for the first time. I moved on along the stream and then I saw it. A solitary male O. culminicola hanging on to a branch on the opposite side of the stream (also constantly bombarded by O. testacea). It was extremely skittish and took me almost an hour to get the shots I have. I am extremely pleased and, according to Kroolek Reinthong - a fellow odonologist - it is a provincial record. Obviously it is scarce there. I couldn't find any other specimens during my visit. Since then I have seen it on occasion around the country. 

The male

The male is easy to ID with its bold red abdomen and strong markings on the thorax. However, should you see one, approach with caution. They fly away at the slightest movement (but often return if you retreat).

Same male, closer

Slightly different angle.

The 'Teneral' Male

Fortunately, Noppadon Makbun and I spotted a newly emerged male at a river as we searched a number of streams and rivers around Narathiwat province. 

The Female

Just a record shot for now, but this is the only female I have ever seen and it appears to be scarce or possibly incredibly skittish like this one. I hope to get an improvement shot.

Many thanks to Pattarawich Dawwrueng for letting me know about this location.