187: Amphithemis curvistyla Selys, 1891

Number: 187 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Amphithemis

Species: Amphithemis curvistyla / White-faced Dwarf Skimmer* 

Habitat: Upland Forested Ponds   

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Nayok

Sightings (by me): Uncommon 

In flight (that I have seen): October - November    

Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there is no common name, I have based mine on 'White-faced' to tie in with the Thai name and 'Dwarf Skimmer' which has been used to describe species in the genus. So the White-faced Dwarf Skimmer.

Well, after a number of years of searching but having little knowledge of the species, I finally clapped eyes on it: Amphithemis curvistyla - a seemingly rare species indeed. I had searched every marshy area, pool and puddle, been ripped to shreds and bitten to death, but didn't find it at Phu Khieo where it had once been reported. Obviously a rare species full stop, but even rarer here. Finally, whilst looking at a more standard deep banked pond where I have spotted a few goodies previously, there he was - almost out of reach battling in the air with many T. aurora and not doing what it says on the tin. Though the pond has a boggy area to one side, it is deep and has seriously deep banking covered in thick, thorny foliage. I would never have thought that I would see it there. But, there he was, bold as brass. Sadly, even armed with a 400 mm lens, I only managed a record shot (heavily cropped) as it was just too far out of reach. I returned to the scene of the crime several times and was torn to shreds searching around the horrible banking, but I didn't see him or any of his friends again. Still, I know it is there now and will return next year (or go to Phu Kradueng where I believe it may be a little more commonly seen). Still, it was worth all the effort - he really is a beautiful thing. Since then, I have spotted this species at Khao Yai National Park. There were a small number of males and females but all were yellow or not yet matured. Still, gives me an excuse to go again!

The 'Young' Male

This is a young male that is still yellow in appearance and it will eventually have a black thorax and a red abdomen. They key identifying this species is that it is a tiny species and it also has a white face. This male will eventually turn red/black (see record shot below).

This is the first ever male I saw of this species but unfortunately it was at a good distance and I only managed this with a 400mm lens. It will do for now but I really want to get close to a male like this.

The Female

Here is a reddish female that I saw briefly at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. Sadly, it isn't the best shot in the world.

The 'Young' Female

The young female looks very much like the young male. It, too, will turn more of a red colour as it ages.