194: Lyriothemis biappendiculata (Selys, 1878)

Number: 194 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Lyriothemis

Species: Lyriothemis biappendiculata / Black-tipped Wide-bellied Dragonfly

Habitat: Lowland Forested streams  

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat, Yala

Sightings (by me): Locally common 

In flight (that I have seen): April-August  
Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there isn't a common name, I decided to use part of the Thai name 'Black-tipped' and there are quite a few names for the genus, such as Bombardier, Skimmer and Chaser. However, I think this genus deserves a more descriptive name so I decided to add 'Wide-bellied' to 'Dragonfly' (Lyriothemis: Wide-bellied Dragonflies), which is a more accurate description, so... the Black-tipped Wide-bellied Dragonfly. 

Halfway through the morning of the first full day, my camera packed up. I was gutted, though it was probably my fault (I had been swimming to get a shot) and I think a little water trickled down my wet sleeve and managed to get into the battery compartment (however, it seemed to work later--see full article on Hala-Bala which will be posted shortly). So, one morning was traipsing behind the birder group I was with. It was, of course, interesting as I learnt a little about some of the birds there. However, I was champing at the bit to get on with dragon hunting... way behind my brother, I heard him call out. I ran (well, rather hobbled as 'stiffleg syndrome' had set in from the previous day's walking). Anyway, as I reached him I could already see a solitary red dragonfly perched on a stick at the edge of the path. I knew straight away that it was Lyriothemis sp. and a new one at that for me. However, armed only with a 100-400mm lens and set up for birding getting a shot proved tricky. So, between me and my brother we fired off a few shots and this one was the best that came out. Turns out to be Lyriothemis biappendiculata, male -- a species that I have seen recently in Yala (August, 2025) where both males and females were abundant.

The Male

A beautiful black and red colour that tends to stay motionless for long periods of time (fortunately) and this is often the position you find them along paths that run along streams or hanging above shady swampy ponds.

The Female

This is one of the few species where the female outdoes the male. I like the uniform yellowish brown... but it's those black wingtips and black appendages at the end of the abdomen... awesome! So happy to finally see the female!