Number: 190 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Microgomphus
Species: Microgomphus svihleri
Common name(s): Thai Sheartail*
Habitat: Small Forested Streams
Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum
In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare
Species easily confused with: Microgomphus sp.
*As there is no common name, I have used 'Thai' from the Thai name and it seems that 'Sheartail' is accepted as the common genus name.
So, with a new month comes baking heat again... and a new species. Microgomphus svihleri is a species that I knew resided at Phu Khieo as it had already been recorded there by Andrew Pierce. However, for some reason, it had managed to evade my lens for over two years. Finally, last Saturday, I was trawling along the stream bed of a narrow, dull stream noting a few common species, when my eyes focused on a little gomphid staring at me from the top of a frond. I edged towards it and flew about five metres from where it was and into blinding sunshine. I edged forward again and this time managed to fire off a few photos before it flew high up into the tree canopy. Though I wasn't entirely sure I had a new species for my records in the bag at the time, it only took a few minutes research at home to realise that it was, indeed, another species. I was clicking my heels with excitement, I can tell you! I will be returning soon to continue my search along these murky, relatively under recorded streams and hopefully can find a more cooperative male as well as a female and a host of other species.
The Male
The male, seen here basking in the baking heat, looks similar to many other small gomphids but can be separated by its unique appendages (just visible in the second photo where it kind of looks like a mini 'OK'). I will attempt to catch one next time for a close up of the appendages. This male was happy in brilliant sunshine but only for a moment before he shot off.
The 'Teneral' Female
The Male
The male, seen here basking in the baking heat, looks similar to many other small gomphids but can be separated by its unique appendages (just visible in the second photo where it kind of looks like a mini 'OK'). I will attempt to catch one next time for a close up of the appendages. This male was happy in brilliant sunshine but only for a moment before he shot off.
The Female
I was happy to spot a couple of females on a different trip to the same area. Check out those eggs!
This female had just emerged and was hanging out to dry just above the water, but she quickly flew upwards and disappeared out of sight.
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