208: Orchithemis pulcherrima Brauer, 1878

Number: 208 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orchithemis

Species: Orchithemis pulcherrima / Variable Sentinel

Habitat: Forested Lowlands Streams

Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi, Narathiwat, Ubon Ratchatani

Sightings (by me): Uncommon

In flight (that I know of): July-August

Easily confused with: Orchithemis pruinans

A species that had the Facebook dragon guys scratching their collective heads was a rather plain looking female. It looked a little like a Lyriothemis species until it suddenly dawned on someone... it was Orchithemis  pulcherrima -- a new species for most of our records! Amazingly, one or two members even got a fleeting glimpse of a red male high up in the tree canopy, though I missed it. 

It likes to perch on twigs at the edge of the forest. However, with the weather being so poor, the others weren't showing. Since then, I have spotted a solitary male in Ubon Ratchatani province, and several males and females in Narathiwat province, where it was a little more common.

The 'Red' Male

I think this is the standard form, though correct me if I am wrong. This was a solitary male I saw under heavy tree cover in the gloom at Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park in Ubon Ratchatani in 2022.

The 'Orange" Male

This male will likely turn red eventually and was actually quite skittish.

The 'Black' Male

This is very similar to O. pruinans but has a much broader abdomen. This specimen hovered for a long time in the hope that a female close by would fly. 

The 'Purple' Female

I think that this is one of a few forms of female too... this one has a more purplish colour to it. 

The 'Yellow' Female

I think this is a young female and may go darker eventually.

The "Old' Female

This, is think, is the normal female, but old just old (you can see how the colour on the thorax is different than the 'Purple' female above.