209. Macromia cupricincta Fraser, 1924

Number: 209
Family: Macromiidae
Genus: Macromia
Species: Macromia cupricincta
Common name(s): N/A
Synonyms: N/A
Habitat: Forested stream
Sightings: Solitary male
In flight (that I have seen): July
Species easily confused with: Macromia moorei

During the death throes of the day's light, I was sitting in a bungalow with my wife, Beau, at Krathing Waterfall, when I suddenly heard a loud thud on the window followed by the distinctive 'clacking' sound of a dragonfly. I jumped into action and saw it on the floor outside trying the get upright again. I grabbed it quickly and knew it was Macromia straight away but not sure which species (there are at least ten in the genus and I have only seen one). I hastily put my gear together (everything was being charged for the following day) and started shooting it. Sadly, the lighting was terrible. So, I waited until the morning when there was more light, though it was still very dull with the pending rains. I managed to snap away and with decent shots I did a little research. I landed on Tom's awesome blog (as I usually do now -- thanks, Tom!) and it was quite easy to work out that it was Macromia cupricincta. The unique curve at the base of the wings near the anal loop as well as the protrusion on S10 make identification possible. Yay! Another species for my records.

The Male
It is similar to other species in the genus but has a few distinctive features.

 One is the curved wing near the anal loop...

 ... then there is that dull brownish face to go with its awesome emerald eyes...

... and, of course, that protrusion on S10...

179. Macromia moorei Selys, 1874

Number: 179
Family: Macromiidae
Genus: Macromia
Species: Macromia moorei
Common name(s): N/A
Synonyms: N/A
Habitat: Upland forested stream
Province(s) sighted: Phu Hin Rong Kla NP (Phitsanoluk)
Sightings: 3-4 males
In flight (that I have seen): September
Species easily confused with: Macromia cupricincta

At last another species to add to my list. This time in the shape of Macromia moorei. I saw one patrolling the same area of a small, clear and exposed stream. I tried again and again to get a shot in flight, but they were all terrible. Finally, it rested and I managed to get shots of it and even catch it (luckily as I wouldn't have been able to ID it properly otherwise). It's a new genus for me and, thanks to Noppadon, I am now aware that it is also a provincial record! I know that there is a Macromia species that resides at Nam Nao and Phu Khieo. I have seen it numerous times but never got anywhere near it. I now have to catch it to find out. Watch this space.

 

 

Now in the hand ...

Note his rather bland face.

 The appendages ... (ventral, then dorsal)

... and the genitalia ...

123. Epophthalmia frontalis frontalis Selys, 1871

Number: 123

Family: Macromiidae

Genus: Epophthalmia

Species: Epophthalmia frontalis frontalis

Common name(s): N/A
Thai name(s):แมลงปอป่าตาเขียวปีกใส
Habitat: Unknown

Province(s) sighted: Khon Kaen environs (Khon Kaen)

Sightings (by me): Commonly seen in flight but never perching (4 specimens - all seen dead along the roadside, one found dead in a house)
In flight (that I have seen): June-October (probably longer)

Who says you need lots and lots of patience to capture photos of dragonflies? Try cycling around the country roads and you may get a nice suprise. I did anyway. About 10 kms outside Khon Kaen, along a quiet country road, I cycled past a large, dead dragonfly, probably hit by a car. I stopped and picked it up. Unsure of the species, I carefully placed it into a small pouch I have under the seat where I normally keep my phone and cycled another 20 kms before returning home. Fortunately, it survived the journey and I was able to get good photos of it, before the ants moved in and left just a pair of wings! I searched the Internet and thought it was Epophthalmia frontalis frontalis, which was later confirmed as correct by Noppadon Makbun. Since then, I have spotted 2 more specimens (2 males and 1 female in total). Maybe they are more common that I thought in Khon Kaen, but rarely seen as they reside high up in the trees.

The male
Here is one of the males 'in situ'. Well, he is totally dead, but I just wanted his to look a little bit more natural and I think this is how they rest.

... and back to the better-for-science shots.

Wing venation 

This photo shows the distinctive hyaline wings with slight yellow colouration to the base of the hind wings.

Caudal appendages

Views of the terminal segments which also help with identification.

 Lateral view ...

Lateral view (from a slightly single angle) ...

Dorsal view ...

Basal view ...

The female

I have finaly managed to find a female ... and again, it is dead! Thus, more unnatural shots ... though probably better from an ID point of view. Similar to the male, but slightly more robust. Also, note the eggs still attatched to the appendages.

Wing venation ...

 with broken tips - this was the better side! I think she was quite old.

The female appendages ...

amazing how the eggs are still attatched!

Male vs. female

I was lucky enough to also spot a female (this was my first female sighting), though she is really smashed up. It does, however, allow me to spot a few differences - the abdomen is more robust, the wings have a brown tinge (not clear like the male) and don't have any yellow colouration at the base. The eyes don't seem to be metallic either, though this could be simply because it has faded.