An Incredibly Quiet Return to Nam Nao

Location: Nam Nao National Park, Petchabun/Chaiyaphum 

Date: 04 July, 2020

Habitat: 'Helicopter Pad' lake, streams at 14 kms trail, temporary ponds

Well, following the hardcore Covid-19 lockdown, things were starting to slowly open back up. Though I was champing at the bit to get out, I was still a little cautious of visiting national parks, even though it was announced that they were open. Therefore, I opted for one of my regular old places, Nam Nao NP. However, I decided to hit the areas that didn't require entry to the actual HQ and so decided upon the 'Helicopter Pad' lake and the 14 kms trail which has a number of small ponds en route. 

From the moment I arrived, however, everything seemed a little eerie. It just didn't feel right. This is one of the places I visit regularly and it was slap-bang in the best part of the season. There should have been dragons everywhere by about 10 am... but there was simply nothing. It was dull, admittedly, but nothing seemed to show. Sometimes the sun emerged from its slumber and poked through the heavy clouds. Nothing. Other times the rain took hold and then abated. Nothing. Only a few seriously common species flitting around. It was the same result at every location. To the point, I am not going to mention dragons in this blog (just show a few pictures). In the end, I started taking photos of other interesting bugs, even though they too were somewhat thin on the ground. It had been raining a lot (though still low compared to normal) and there were clear 'tide marks' from earlier flash floods, but this kind of stuff never usually stops me being incredibly busy all day, having to choose which dragon to chase...

I talked to a few other bug enthusiasts and they seemed to have the same problem. Maybe it is the fact that flights have stopped, borders being closed, self-quarantine is in process and the curfew, but we will never know. Hopefully, by the time I get out, they will be allowed to fly freely again! Haha.

My best photos of the day:

Tetrathemis platyptera, male

Tetrathemis platyptera, another male

Tetrathemis platyptera, and another male... the most common species

Neurothemis fulvia, male

Brachythemis Contaminata, female

Trithemis aurora, male

Other stuff...

When you've just been caught doing something you shouldn't... no idea what beetle this is. 

The world's smallest robber flies? They were seriously tiny! No idea of species

The Black and Golden Cicada (Huechys fusca). ID by Les Day with thanks

The Red Lacewing (Cethosia biblis biblis). Not rare but rarely seen

The Giant Bamboo Weevil (Cyrtotrachelus dux). A beast of a weevil but quite skittish too

Micro weevil (total opposite scale to the one above). This one hanging onto grass in the breeze. No idea of species.

Tachnidae but not idea what species (ID an info by Adrian Plant). Apparently, they are generally parasitoids of Lepidoptera (so I kept him away from the butterfly pics!)

Scorpion fly (Neopanorpa sp.). Cool species. ID by Adrian Plant.

Possibly the Chinese Blister Beetle (Mylabris phalerata), ID by Gerard Chartier with thanks

A Miletis species in terrible condition. Possibly the Unicoloured brownie (but not sure. ID by Dave Eric Sargeant)

A stick insect with a leg missing.

COVID-19 = COMSP-19

Name: COMSP-19

Date: 25 March - unknown

Location: Khon Kaen (areas within a short radius of my house)

During these horrible times of COVID-19, we are trapped in the house most of the day with nothing to do. I should actually now be in Yala and the surrounding areas but the government has enforced a virtual ban on travelling out of the province and also encourages everyone to avoid crowded areas. However, it is important to still get out a little and get some exercise. Therefore, I am going to try to complete "COMSP-19"... a stupid name I came up with to overcome the boredom where I will attempt to spot and get decent shots of 19 common species of dragonflies and damselflies by walking around where I live during the virtual lockdown. Obviously I can only check the immediate areas around my home and small ponds etc. close by. There are, of course, more species but many are difficult to photograph well. Let's see if I can do it... I will add species as I find them. If you cannot be bothered waiting for me to get better shots (it may take a lifetime haha), please feel free to see more/better shots by clicking "see here". 

Species 1-9 still to find... can I do it? Watch this space!

Species 10 - Crocothemis servilia servilia (see here)
Another seriously common species you can find almost anywhere. Often spotted in the longer grasses or perched on sticks near the edge of ponds, this species usually doesn't disappoint in making an appearance. Though the females are quite dull, the males, on the other hand, are a beautiful red and can be identified by a solid stripe along the abdomen. (male above, female below).

Species 11 - Brachydiplax chalybea chalybea (see here)
This is a beautiful little dragonfly you will often find at tiny ponds up to enormous marshy areas. As it is quite small and a little skittish, it is difficult to get decent shots. When you do, you can only admire his orange flanks, black tip to the abdomen and stunning blue colour along the top of the thorax and abdomen. If you look carefully, you should find the male but the female is difficult to find. Will add a female--if I can find one.

Species 12 - Diplacodes trivialis (see here)
Right up there as the most common species in Thailand, it is still difficult to photograph well. Primarily as it tends to perch on the ground or very close to it and it is also a rapid mover... just as you get into position, it shoots off... probably why I haven't photographed it fr so many years! Anyway, here is a female. Males were present, but they just annoyed me so I gave up on them. You can see this species anywhere... 

Species 13 - Rhyothemis phyllis (see here)
Another common species that is often seen fluttering around the edge of ponds and forests. There are just problems with this species, though. It often hangs out with its closely-related cousin Rhyothemis variegata variegata, which are almost impossible to separate when in the air, except the females. Also, the females of this species are rarely encountered. Fortunately, I managed to spot one at my pond today! Sadly, she was at quite a distance and only managed a record shot... still great to see. (male above, female below).

Species 14 - Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops (see here)
This is a beast of a dragonfly and one you are most likely to encounter if you visit any pond or lake. They hang around the edge of ponds and guard "their" area. Strangely, I only saw a female today. Not the best shot but I have only seen the female about a dozen times (compared to literally hundreds of males). Will add a male when I spot one.

Species 15 - Ceriagrion auranticum (see here)

Very commonly seen throughout Khon Kaen, but the females are often overlooked as it tends to hide away in shaded areas. Here are two females. I think the "reddish" female is the mature one and the greenish one is slightly more immature.

Species 16 - Ceriagrion praetermissum (see here)
Not that often seen but quite common when you do find them. The males are quite brightly coloured, the females are not. Worse still, the females tend to hang around shaded areas are are hard to spot. Here is a close-up of a female. Will post photos of the male, if I can get one.

Species 17 - Trithemis pallidinervis (see here)

Commonly found in exposed areas around ditches, ponds, marshy areas and slow-moving rivers. Can easily be spotted on exposed twigs and are fairly easy to approach (male top, female bottom).

Species 18 - Ischnura senegalensis (see here)

One of the most common species of damselfly found throughout Thailand. Hangs around the edges of ponds often in the scrub, but easy to spot its blue end segments of the abdomen as it moves... will add the female when I spot it.

Species 19 -  Brachythemis Contaminata (see here)

Easily the most common species in Thailand and can be found at almost any body of water. Found right at the edge and even often a good distance away from water. The only difficulty is getting shots of them with a creamy background as they perch low down. Commonly known as the ditch jewel, it may be common but still quite stunning.