248: Sympetrum thailandensis Makbun, 2023

  Number: 248 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Sympetrum

Species: Sypetrum thailandensis / Thai Mountain Darter*

Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Nayok

Habitat: Forested Ponds

In flight: July-October / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Sypetrum hypomelas

*As there is no common name, I decided to use the first part of the Thai name 'Thai Mountain' and 'Darter' which seems fairly common for the genus, Sypetrum, so the Thai Mountain Darter.

Back in 2018, a couple of nice ode enthusiasts (like me) visited different areas of Khao Yai National Park and eventually spotted Sypetrum hypomelas. They took photos and then noticed that some of them looked different. Noppadon Makbun showed me the photos and I decided to go and look for myself as they did indeed look rather different. When I arrived at the location (just one forested pond), I saw a few common species. Then suddenly, S. hypomelas showed up. Then another... then... huh? Ahhhh! Yes! The 'different' one! And yes, in nature it looked so different, especially when looking at them side by side. In simple terms, it is more red and black, whereas S. hypomelas was more black, red and yellow. Anyway, I got a large number of photos and went home. I tried to collect, but there were people around. Roll on five years and it has now been described by Noppadon. It has been name Sypetrum thailandensis, which I have named the Thai Mountain Darter, based on the Thai name. It is a super beautiful species. I returned a couple of years later and I was a little early (July) for the species but I still managed to spot a solitary female that had newly emerged.

The Male

The Male is similar to S. hypomelas, but differs in the fact that full males are predominantly red and black and there are two black dorsal spots on S7-8 of the abdomen. It is an incredibly beautiful species and I am so happy to have seen it!

Here, you can clearly see the two blacks spots on the abdomen.

Likewise here. Note the damaged wing from flighting (they were quite aggressive).

The Female

This one is not quite fully mature as it will darken a little more, but you can make out the two spots on the abdomen like with the male.

The 'Teneral' Female

This female had just emerged but is identifiable due to the the prominent spots on the abdomen (S7-8).

The Ovipositing Female

Here is a female producing one egg at a time and the firing into the water, which is typical of this genus.

245: Pornothemis sp.

  Number: 245 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Pornothemis

Species: Pornothemis sp. / -

Province(s) sighted: Trat (Mainland & Koh Kood)

Habitat: Mangrove Forest

In flight: June / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Pornothemis starrei

On holiday in Trat with Beau, my brother, Paul, and his missus, Suu, part of the trip was to visit mangrove areas. We also met up with an old friend and birder, Mark Hogarth, who now lives on Koh Chang. He went out with us one day to search for birds in the mangroves. For me, I had three potential species in mind, with the hope of more. I was preying to see a lifer for me in the shape of Mortonagrion arthuri, Pornothemis starrei (which had just been seen somewhere in Trat province) and also maybe Raphismia bispina and other mangrove specialists. However, several hours of walking in and two things were clear: there are very few species at mangroves and, if there are any, they don't show early. To the point, of the first outing, I didn't even see a single ode! Not one, but enjoyed seeing lots of crabs. On a further trip, we set out early (bloody birders), and walked and walked. Several nice birds were spotted but odes: 0. Nothing. Nada. By about 8:30am, the day was warming up and the birds were retreating. Then, as I walked along a boardwalk, I massive dragonfly moved from one branch and went a bit further away... then.... wait, it's not a massive dragonfly... it's a copula! Sadly, it was quite far out and I only got a few record shots of it against a gloomy backdrop, even using the camera's own flash! It was clear straight away that it was Pornothemis starrei, until I got back to my room... it looks a little different and is missing a lot of the markings. And according to Noppadon Makbun, there could be more than one species in the genus in Thailand and should be left at Pornothemis sp. for now. Hopefully, that will change soon! Still very happy to see it, though that was it... not a single other species or specimen. Finally, once I reached Koh Kood, we were looking from a bridge at mangrove and I saw another male Pornothemis sp. at great distance through binoculars, perching on a tree branch over mangrove... by the time I got down to it, it had gone. We even decided to stay one more day and visited there the next day to find it and others. We did but other than an enormous gomphid (with strange markings) that eluded the camera and a few very common species, that was it. Not a single other Pornothemis sp. to be found, though it had been threatening rain all day. Bad weather, too late in the year or just a bad day at the office? Who knows? I will have to return one day. 

The Copula

Though it looks very similar to Pornothemis starrei, there are very few greenish-yellow spots like you find on that species. Therefore, for now, I will leave it as Pornothemis sp.

 

244: Hylaeothemis clementia Ris, 1909

 Number: 244 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Hylaeothemis

Species: Hylaeothemis clementia / Eastern Junglewatcher

Province(s) sighted: Chaing Mai

Habitat: Forested Streams 

In flight: July / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: N/A 

Another species I had dreamt of seeing but didn't really know much about was Hylaeothemis clementia, commonly known as the Eastern Junglewatcher. Thankfully, Noppadon Makbun was on hand to help out. He showed me where it was and he had seen it the day before, both male and female. When I went to see it, it was a little early and nothing was showing. Then there was a little shower and I thought that there was no hope. So we moved on... we returned later and nothing still. But amazingly, a solitary male dropped down from the trees and was in a great position to get a few shots, though I had to turn round very carefully so not to spook him... and that was it. One male. I didn't get to spot the female, but I will return one day! Once more, many thanks to Noppadon for guiding me to this species!

The Male

It's quite a small species and seemingly quite approachable, though I wasn't taking any chances. The most striking features of this species are it's blue eyes and prominent dorsal spot on the abdomen. It also sat back from the stream.

Here's on Noppadon caught earlier...

233: Risiophlebia dohrni (Krüger, 1902)

           Number: 233 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Risiophlebia

Species: Risiophlebia dohrni / Potbellied Elf

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Shady Swampy Forest

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Risiophlebia guentheri

Back in 2018, I saw the amazing Risioplebia guentheri in Chantaburi, thanks to Noppadon Makbun's earlier finding of it. And it was such an amazing and unique species. I couldn't get over how small it was, and it's arced and bulbous abdomen. I was so excited to see such an incredible species. Roll on seven years and, while at another heavily shaded swampy area in Narathiwat province, Noppadon shouted me over once more... he had found the other known species in the genus for Thailand.... Risioplebia dohrni, commonly known as the Potbellied Elf. I was so happy to see it but had forgotten just how small it was. Worse still, it preferred to sit really low down near the ground making photography very difficult. Noppadon has already seen this species so he went off in search of others leaving me to fire away. Once I returned I wasn't overly happy with the shot but it was just such a difficult angle. 

The Male

Check out that bulbous section of its abdomen followed by an amazing arc. Such a cool little species, but so small that it is difficult to find and photograph. 

232: Rhyothemis aterrima Selys, 1891

          Number: 232 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Rhyothemis

Species: Rhyothemis aterrima / Black Jewel Flutter

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Rhyothemis plutonia 

One species that had been reported from Thailand fairly recently but again from the deepest of deep south at Sirindhorn Peat Forest in Narathiwat, was Rhyothemis aterrima, commonly known as the Black Jewel Flutterer. It is well-known in Malaysia so it isn't that much of a surprise to be found here too. However, as with many species, this one also eluded myself and Noppadon Makbun. Frustrated, we gave up on the place and searched other areas in the locality for different species. On the last day in Narathiwat, we decided to take one last look at the place before heading to Yala and see if we could find it as the weather was much hotter and brighter than the previous visit. Opposite the entrance to Sirindhorn, there is a large open area with peat swamp. My brother, Paul, peering through his massive scope for birding saw something interesting... it was bloody R. aterrima but about 100 kilometres away! Maybe I am exaggerating a little but it was way too far out for my 180mm lens, let alone Noppadon's 100mm one. I switched up to 400mm and got a couple of very poor record shots, but at least we had now seen it! We couldn't understand how a few people had decent shots of it if it was so far out, but at the back my mind, one photo that had been taken of it was on wood... the boardwalk? Anyway, we decided to have one last scout around the boardwalks with fading embers of seeing it - and possibly see anything else. Amazingly, we saw another male on the first part of the peat forest but was really, really high up but kept on landing every 30-45 seconds or so. Sadly, this one was also way too high up. So we carried on and went to the second section. Here we saw one straightaway perched rather high on a branch but much lower. We got much better record shots but we were still a little unhappy with them. Finally, another male swooped down from somewhere and started doing the dance around the ponds but much lower, though faster. It then landed straight on the boardwalk... it stayed briefly and then took off... we were gutted. But then, 30-45 seconds later, it landed again on the boardwalk... and again... and again... we edged closer and closer to it as it was incredibly skittish but eventually we got into a decent position and fired off some nice shots as it perched on the bannister of the boardwalk. We couldn't have been happier and the shots really brings out the beautiful colours of this species... when in flight it just looks black.

The Male

From a distance, it just looks black. But on closer inspection (depending on the angle of the light), it's green, copper, reddish, black and even clear segments. It really is a truly stunning species and a fitting species for the last in Narathiwat ... until I return!

Another male OR...

Now, this is specimen I saw a few years back at the lower reaches of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum. It's about 20 hours' drive from where it is now know in Thailand (Narathiwat - see above). However, this could either be R. aterrima, extending its range massively north or it is something else. There were 2-3 of them at a lowlands pond surrounded by forest. I initially (without thinking) put it down as R. plutonia, but it is clearly not that species. Both Noppadon Makbun and Chee Yen Choong (Malaysian species expert) believe there is no reason for it not to be R. aterrima, which would be an amazing find! Any thoughts?

229: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis Förster, 1903

        Number: 229 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis / Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk*

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum t. triangulare

*Name made up by me based on the translation of the two subspecies in Thailand now adding 'Northern' for Orthetrum triangulare triangulare and 'Southern' for O. triangulare malaccensis, based on the latter only being found in the very deep south of Thailand.

Another Orthetrum species -- or rather -- subspecies in this case that I was desperate to see was Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis, and the common name translated from the Thai name as the Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk. Orthetrum t. triangulare is a large and common species found pretty much throughout Thailand at slow-moving rivers, streams and trickles in well forested areas. However, as of yet the range isn't known to extend into to the very bottom provinces of Thailand (namely Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala). However, over the past decade more ode hunters have hit the very south -- including myself back in 2018 -- aiming to find new species for the country. Oddly, O. triangulare malaccensis had already been recorded in Yala and I saw it, albeit fleetingly, fly straight past me at a small stream in Narathiwat. This trip in August, 2025 seemed to be going the same way in the fact that none showed for the first 8-9 days and it was becoming a little frustrating. Amazingly, however, on a day searching a new area in Yala, noticed a small pond created by seepage which was surrounded by foliage and tall trees. It was too early to search then as it was morning and Noppadon Makbun and I decided that it would have been better to leave that place until after we had visited the stream we intended to find first. On the way back, we were amazed not only to find 3-4 idividuals of O. triangulare malaccensis, but we also saw a further two new species for my records in Orthetrum schneideri and the incredibly impressive Indaeschna grubaueri, all three of which I was desperate to see but had almost given up the ghost on them. That said, O, t. malaccensis was incredibly skittish and took a good which to photograph and I am happy with the results, though sadly, I didn't get to see the female... until next time!

The Male

Though very similar to the common species, Orthetrum t. triangulare, there are a number of key differences. One being the abdomen is possibly less robust; secondly, the blueish patch is noticeably shorter; and finally, as mentioned, location. It also seems that this subspecies has some greyish-blue pruinescence to the thorax.

228: Orthetrum schneideri Förster, 1903

       Number: 228 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum schneideri  / Schneider's Forest Hawk*

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

*Though this species has been given the common name Schneider's Skimmer, I will change it to Schneider's Forest Hawk to be consistent with the rest of the genus.

One species I really wanted to see but it seemed to elude both Noppadon Makun and I, eventually showed at a small pond once he had already given up on it. Better still, at this tiny pond, we also saw. Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis and Indaeschna grubaueri. I was over the moon to find three new species for my records and one small place! Small forested ponds were hard to find here, but if you found one they were often full of ode treasures! In the end, we saw 4-5 males of Orthetrum schneideri, also known as Schneider's Skimmer and I did get a fleeting glimpse of the female, which just looked uniform yellow-brown but it was spooked by attacks from the males. In the end, I got a couple of good photos that I was happy with as it was an incredibly skittish species! 

The Male

Though very similar to O pruinosum, location is key to separating these easily. If you see a species like this in the bottom three provinces of Thailand, then it should be this species. All other provinces are the common species found everywhere else. The other way to split the two is the distinct neat change from powder blue on the abdomen to pastel red.

This male was perching over the dark swampy pond.

227: Orchithemis pruinans (Selys, 1878)

      Number: 227 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orchithemis

Species: Orchithemis pruinans  / Blue Sentinal

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Forest Peat Swamp

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Orchithemis pulcherrima

Another species I expected to see at Sirindhorn Peat Swamp was Orchithemis pruinans, and it didn't disappoint... eventually! For the first part of the morning, it didn't show but then one eventually turned up and later in the day, a few more appeared, through no females. In all, there were around five  or six males spotted. Definitely not a common species, as it is only known form this location in Thailand as far as I am aware. Also known as the Blue Sentinal, it is very similar to the black form of its cousin, O. pulcherrima, though this species has a much slimmer abdomen. 

The Male

From a distance, it looks uniform black with a single white band, but when you photograph it and look closely, it has several colours and one being the pruinescence on its thorax, possibly where 'Blue' in the common name comes from. He is a rather stunning chap and not too difficult to approach once the day heats up.

226: Nesoxenia lineata (Selys, 1868)

      Number: 226 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Nesoxenia

Species: Nesoxenia lineata  / Striped Grenadier

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Lowlands Shaded Swampy Area

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Agrionoptera insignis, Lathrecista asiatica

This was one of the absolute highlights of the trip to the south in August, 2025 with Noppadon Makbun, as well as my brother Paul and his missus, Suu. Oddly, it was a species we has discussed before the trip and wondered if we had a chance of seeing it. And on about the 3rd day, we did just that! At a heavily shaded swampy area that was partly dried out at one end but deep at the other, we saw a few common species and some rarer ones but we had seen already. Then came the shout... Dennis! lineata! It was the best thing ever, though making it over was very tough wading knee-deep through deep mud and water. But eventually, there it was... really low down on a twig in the gloom but it was unmistakable! Nesoxenia lineata, also known as the Striped Grenadier. I felt like I was going to explode with excitement. We found it! After a million photos, we moved on. One male. Amazing. But on the last day before we left Narathiwat, we decided to head there once more, but this time earlier in the morning. After a quick look along the river, we reached the entrance to the swamp (found by Paul first - thanks, r kid!). And amazingly, there were so many more species flying around... including about 20 males of N. lineata, though this time harder to get near. It was amazing! And it works out to be only the second recording of this species in Thailand, so not bad, eh? Better still, on the way back we briefly saw a female... sadly, after one shot, it was gone, but enough for a record shot until next time!

The Male
It is such a handsome little fellow with his greenish thorax with blue pruinescence  and red and black abdomen. 

The Female

The female looks very much like female Lathrecista asiatica but there are a few differences (broader black likes on the abdomen and different thoracic markings). This looks like an old female and sadly we only saw it for a few seconds and was facing directly into the light.

225: Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, 1842

     Number: 225 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Nannophya

Species: Nannophya pygmaea  / Scarlet Pygmy

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Open Peat Swamp

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Species easily confused with: N/A

An absolute lifer for me... one I thought I had seen in Chaiyaphum (but it's a different species) followed by seeing it again in Chantaburi, again probably the same as above. Though that is good news in itself, I still hadn't seen my dream species and one that is one of the smallest in the world! I am, of course, talking about Nannophya pygmaea, commonly known as the Scarlet Pygmy amongst several other common names. And, after seeing it at the Peat Swamp in Narathiwat, I was happy but the shots were poor as it was very low down and you couldn't get to them because of the boardwalk. Finally, we gave up on the idea but we managed to spot them again a few days later... this time we were still at peak swamp but at ground level! And there were several males spotted and a solitary teneral female. We also found a few more males at the entrance to the peat swamp too on the last day there. 

The Male

Hands down possibly my favourite species in the world. When you see it you are so shocked at it's tiny size, but the fully matured males are an striking black and red colour, even with red and black eyes and a very prominent amber wing base. This species really was the holy grail for me! You can see why.

The 'Young' Male

The young male is similar to the adult male but yellowish in colour. It will become bright red eventually.

The 'Teneral' Female

I was fortunate enough to spot a female (well Noppadon saw it first), but it was only a teneral specimen (newly emerged). It was overhanging a pond and was at an awkward angle. This was the best I could get. And there were no other females spotted. Early or late in the season maybe?

217: Chalybeothemis fluviatilis Lieftinck, 1933

Number: 217 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Chalybeothemis

Species: Chalybeothemis fluviatillis / Green-eyed Percher 

Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest

Province(s) seen (by me): Narathiwat 

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: N/A

Another incredibly rare species for Thailand and only known from one area is Chalybeotemis fluviatillis, commonly known as the Green-eyed Percher. Difficult to approach, it was even harder to spot, though we did eventually spot 7-8 individuals flitting around the edge of one smallish peat swamp pond outside Sirindhorn Peat Swamp. Both Noppadon and I were really, really happy to see this species with its glorious eyes! Sadly, we only saw males. No females were present - likely hiding deep in the reeds.

The Male

Small in size, the male has striking green eyes and unique markings on the abdomen.

Check out those gorgeous green eyes...

214: Tetrathemis hyalina Kirby, 1889

Number: 214 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Tetrathemis

Species: Tetrathemis hyalina / Elf

Habitat: Forested Swampy Ponds

Provinces sighted: Chantaburi, Phuket, Narathiwat

Sightings: Uncommon

In flight (that I have seen): July-August

Species easily confused with: Tetrathemis platyptera

Well, I think I can finally put this species into the 'seen' bank. Going all the way back to 2011, I saw what I thought was Tetrathemis hyalina. However, I think I actually got the two species (T. platyptera) as they were living side by side. In fact, I was so confused that I actually decided to not count it as a record, especially as I didn't think it could be found as high up as Khao Yai. That is until I saw it again seven years later in Chantaburi. Now, I am convinced it is in fact the same species and I should have had more faith in Noppadon's ID (he is never wrong haha).

It is very similar in appearance to its common cousin but there are subtle differences. The easy way to separate them is through the almost clear (or hyaline) wings as well as the reduced size of the markings on the abdomen of the Elf. Since then, I have managed to spot a female in Phuket and also a small number of males at a swampy pond in Narathiwat... though they were a bugger to get anywhere near.

The Male

Super skittish and took me an age to get these (very happy with them). The abdomen of the male is much slimmer than that of the common species, which is the easiest way to split them. Of course, the lack of enfumed wings is also a feature, though not all T. platyptera do have yellowish wing bases, so it isn't a guarantee.

The Female

Here is the female from Chantaburi.

I am pretty sure that this is also a female of this species from Phuket (though it has puffed out its abdomen), but has significantly reduced markings along the abdomen. Let me know if I am wrong.