217. Polycanthagyna ornithocephala (McLachlan, 1896)

Number: 217

Family: Aeschnidae

Species: Polycanthagyna ornithocephala

Common name: Beak-tailed Hawker

Synonyms: Aeshna ornithocephala McLachlan, 1896

Habitat: Forested pond

Provinces sighted: Nam Nao NP (Petchabun)

Sightings: Rare (solitary male)

In flight (that I have seen): October

Species easily confused with: Polycanthagyna erythromelas

I recently visited Nam Nao NP in Petchabun for the first time in over two years. However, I have kind of done the main bits to death, as too has my brother Paul (for birds). Therefore, we decided to search a little deeper and try to find a few more areas. Though limited on where to visit at the park, there were numerous ponds and ditches along the 14 kms trail to the ranger station I hadn't visited before (I used to just drive quickly along the trail as it seemed to by dry and devoid of life all the way). Anyway, at one small pond that was part exposed to baking heat and the other part in shade, it looked like a typical pond and didn't seem to offer much. However, I suddenly noticed a large dragonfly fly out from the shaded area and into the bright sunshine where it was instantly attacked by several smaller dragonflies. Amazingly, it returned to the same shaded area and I was able to creep across the pond and get in some shots pretty easily, though I was hampered by the sun blasting through the trees making photograhpy difficult. Once I had got enough shots, I wasn't sure if it was a new species or not. It was likely to be Polycanthgyna erythromelas as I had once seen it at Phu Khieo, which is not too far away. Anyway, upon processing the photos I noticed that it had a blue head instead of green and some of the markings were slightly different, though I just put it all down to variation. Anyway, upon posting it on the Facebook dragonfly group, Noppadon Makbun thought it was actually a different species, Polycanthagyna ornithocephala, a species that had only been recorded from one location in Kanchanaburi back in 2000. Noppadon's suspicion was confirmed by Wen-Chi Yeh. So, amazingly, it turns out to be a rather rare and special species indeed! I hope to return soon and search for the female as it looks so cool!

The male

They don't come much more stunning than this. 

 Slightly nicer shot from a different angle as I could eliminate the annoying sun.

The appendages

Rather interesting appendages, I think.

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for correcting my initial ID and Wen-Chi Yeh for the confirmation.

216. Tetrathemis irregularis hyalina Brauer, 1868

Number: 216

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Tetrathemis

Species: Tetrathemis irregularis hyalina

Common name(s): Elf

Synonyms: N/A

Habitat: Forested ponds

Provinces sighted: Khao Yai NP (Nakhon Ratchasima); Krathing Waterfall (Chantaburi)

Sightings: Uncommon

In flight (that I have seen): July

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 irregularis hyalina. Noppadon agreed. 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 more 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. 

Though I don't have photos of the male to hand, I think I may have seen it but need to look back through my ever-growing number of hard drives. For now, I will just add the female pics.

The female

Here is the female from Chantaburi which I saw last month.

... and here is another female I saw in 2011 just outside Khao Yai (in hand).

I will upload any images of the male (if I have any and if I can find them!)

215. Lyriothemis elegantissima Selys, 1883

Number: 215

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Lyriothemis

Species: Lyriothemis elegantissima

Common name(s): Forest Chaser

Provinces sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum)

Sightings (by me): Solitary male

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: Lyriothemis sp.; Lyriothemis sp. 2

Well, I had seen this species on numerous occasions... or so I thought. I have come across a number of similar-looking red Lyriothemis species. However, I recently saw the true form of Lyriothemis elegantissima. In fact, I think I only saw it because the more common Lyriothemis species (yet to be described) was absent. Maybe I have noticed it before but overlooked it! Similar to the others in many ways but it has heavy black markings on the thorax and on the end segments of the abdomen. The key, however, seems to be the genitalia. It is possible that the other two Lyriothemis species are, in fact, the same species but they are most certainly not L. elegantissima! It seems to prefer heaily tree-lined swampy areas. Though I only managed to get records shots of it, I know it resides at Phu Khieo now and will most certainly return in better weather next year and hope to get improvement shots These were taken from a good distance in gloomy conditions with a 400mm lens so I am actually quite happy with them!

The male

194. Cratilla metallica (Brauer, 1878)

Number: 194  

Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Cratilla
Species: Cratilla metallica
Common name(s): Dark-tipped Forest-skimmer 

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Temporary ditches in forested area 

Province(s) sighted: Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and To Mo Community Forest (Narathiwat)

Sightings (by me): 2 males

In flight (that I have seen): April 

Species easily confused with: Cratilla lineata calverti

Well, I promised myself a trip to the south and I couldn't have got any further... Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in Narathiwat was a super-cool place that houses a lot of great species and has the potential for a whole lot more. That said, I saw plenty, including one I have always wanted to see in Cratilla metallica. It is a brilliant species and lives and acts in a very similar way to its cousin, C. lineata, which I also saw there. However, I only managed to spot two males and sadly didn't get to see the female. C. metallica is found from Kanchanaburi south, though I am not sure how common it is. If you manage to hit the south, look for tiny ditches along trails in the forest. Hopefully, you will manage to spot one or two like I did guarding 'their' mud hole. 

The male

He is very easy to ID due to the distinct double blue bands across the abdomen and the black tips to the wings which give it its nickname. It also has a wonderful metallic green thorax (which obviously gives it its scientific name). 

Here, you can see his awesome green metallic thorax.

Hopefully, I will spot the female one day...

193. Lestes dorothea Fraser, 1924

Number: 193  

Family: Lestidae

Genus: Lestes

Species: Lestes dorothea

Common name(s): -  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Temporary ponds/small permanent forested ponds   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum); Nam Nao National Park (Petchabun)

Sightings (by me): Locally abundant 

In flight (that I have seen): June - September  

Species easily confused with: Lestes praemorsus decipiens; Lestes elatus; Platylestes platystylus

Finally, after searching for it for a long time, I have found it. I think. Lestes dorothea has eluded pretty much everyone (many of the guys on Dragonflies of Thailand on Facebook) including myself but the help of identification through the female has helped for once. 

The major problem is that the males of L. praemorsus and L. dorothea are almost identical in appearance.  I knew that both species had been recorded at Phu Khieo previously and I did notice that the pruinescence at the end of the abdomen on some specimens was significantly reduced when compared to others. Conclusive proof? Of course not. Worse still, the appendages are almost identical (from what I could tell anyway). This was also noted by Tom Kompier on his blog with information that has helped a lot on this. The telltale difference (I am led to believe) is the difference in the female. The female of L. dorothea has the bold markings on the thorax (like a swoosh) followed by another prominent dot. This is the same as the male but is almost always hidden. Again, this was pointed out by Tom on his blog and Noppadon Makbun also explained this to me, though still would like to compare the appendages. Looking back at both males and females, the latter is now easy to separate (see comparison below). However, the male is still a little difficult to separate, but I will have to entrust the expertise of others for now (unless I can find a very young male for easy comparison).

The male:

Though I could be mistaken, from memory it is a slightly larger species than L. praemorsus. However, the key to identifying the male is the reduced pruinescence at the end of the abdomen (see comparison below). 

 L. dorothea, male

 L. praemorsus, male (for comparison)

L. dorothea, copula in the hot afternoon at Nam Nao

 L. dorothea, the same female (not the prominent markings on the thorax)

L. praemorsus, female (for comparison) from Nam Nao. Note the small dots on the thorax.

 Here is a more recent copula from Phu Khieo where the males seem to be abundant (now I can separate them).

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for all his help on this confusing genus as well as Tom Kompier for the more than useful information on his blog.

191. Archibasis viola Lieftinck, 1948

Number: 191  

Family: Coenagrionidae

Genus: Archibasis

Species: Archibasis viola

Common name(s): Violet Sprite  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Mid-range forested ditch   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum)

Sightings (by me): Rare (2-3 males) 

In flight (that I have seen): July   

Species easily confused with: Archibasis oscillans 

A few weeks back, a birder called Andrew Pierce I knew, decided to take a trip to Phu Khieo on a dragon trip. He saw several of the rare gems that haunt PK but was light on one or two. However, he also saw another species that he couldn't work out what it was and posted on Facebook (Dragonflies of Thailand). The majority of feedback suggested it was Archibasis sp. but the lighting and angle of the shot made it difficult to be sure which species. When I saw the photo I was amazed and, in all honesty, it kick-started my dragonfly season. Not that I hadn't wanted to get out there, but I have been so busy working and the weather has been awful so it has been all too easy to kind of turn a blind eye to the hunt. Anyway, he asked if I wanted to return and so we did the following Saturday, along with my brother, Paul. I have been to almost every ditch, pond, stream and lake there... but I had never come across Archibasis. We eventually landed on the small heavily tree-lined and dull-looking pond that was situated very close to a stream. Amazingly, it was already there. There were 2-3 males but were extremely skittish at first. As they settled, I managed to get in a few decent shots and Andy also improved on his own shots. It was clear that it was Archibasis viola, though it did take a little more research later on in order to be 100% confident as it is primarily known as a southern species in Thailand stretching only as far north as Chantaburi. The pond itself looked almost like any other pond I had visited, though this one wasn't on my radar as it looked devoid of life... not anymore!

What is also interesting is the fact that this is the rarer of the two species likely to be found in Thailand away from the south and A. oscillans (being the other) has been reported from Nakhon Nayok, but seems to prefer streams to marshy pools so there is every chance I may find this species too at Phu Khieo. Anyway, I need to return to find the female... watch this space. 

 

For the record, I would just like to thank Andy Pierce for guiding me to this species as it would probably have taken me many more trips before I fell upon it (if ever). Thanks, matey!

189. Amphithemis curvistyla Selys, 1891

Number: 189  

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Amphithemis

Species: Amphithemis curvistyla 

Common name(s): N/A  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Upland Forested pond   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum) 

Sightings (by me): Rare (1 male) 

In flight (that I have seen): Mid November    

Species easily confused with: -

Well, after a number of years of searching but having little knowledge of the species, I finally clapped eyes on it: Amphithemis curvistyla - a seemingly rare species indeed. I had searched every marshy area, pool and puddle, been ripped to shreds and bitten to death, but didn't find it at Phu Khieo where it had once been reported. Obviously a rare species full stop, but even rarer here. Finally, whilst looking at a more standard deep banked pond where I have spotted a few goodies previously, there he was - almost out of reach battling in the air with many T. aurora and not doing what it says on the tin. Though the pond has a boggy area to one side, it is deep and has seriously deep banking covered in thick, thorny foliage. I would never have thought that I would see it there. But, there he was, bold as brass. Sadly, even armed with a 400 mm lens, I only managed a record shot (heavily cropped) as it was just too far out of reach. I returned to the scene of the crime several times and was torn to shreds searching around the horrible banking, but I didn't see him or any of his friends again. Still, I know it is there now and will return next year (or go to Phu Kradueng where I believe it may be a little more commonly seen). Still, it was worth all the effort - he really is a beautiful thing.

188. Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 188  

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Tramea   

Species: Tramea virginia 

Common name(s): Saddlebag Glider  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Lowland Forested pond   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Wiang National Park, (Khon Kaen) 

Sightings (by me): Rare (1 male) 

In flight (that I have seen): September    

Species easily confused with: Tramea transmarina euryale

Well, I am desperate to get to that magical 200 species barrier (though I may need a few more due to some of them not identified yet - I really want 200 identified species photographed). And, though it is rare nowadays, I will never give up until I get there. I am now in the process of wading through about 10 million backed up photos  (sorting out other bugs and animals too). Suddenly, from a set of photos from Phu Wiang last year, I noticed a few record shots of a Tramea transmarina euryale male that, well, didn't sit right. The problem was that there were several males flitting about on that  day and all seemed to want to land on the same stick. I took a few photos and left it at that (a record shot for Khon Kaen). In any case, I was preoccupied with hundreds of Amphiallagma parvum at the same small pond (I had only ever seen them in tiny numbers before). But, looking carefully again last night, one of the specimens was clearly not T. transmarina euryale. The colour patches on the wing bases were far too big and I also noticed that it had a whitish face instead of having a metallic blueish patch. Doing a little research I saw Tom Kompier's brilliant examples from Vietnam and started to get excited. I then sent my photo to Noppadon Makbun, who did a little research himself and came up with it probably being Tramea virginia - the same species I thought it was. I couldn't be happier. And though it's only a record shot (and the sun was right in my face), I now know where it is... and I will find it again.

According to the IUCN Red List: "There is a single old record from Thailand". So, not a bad find really!

You can see the large patch on the base of the wings and he has a whitish face.

I will return and find you again for better shots!

187. Aciagrion sp.

Number: 187  

Family: Coenagrionidae 

Genus: Aciagrion   

Species: Aciagrion sp. (possibly A. occidentale)

Common name(s): N/A  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Forested pond   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum)  

Sightings (by me): 3-4 males spotted at one natural pond 

In flight (that I have seen): October    

Species easily confused with: All Aciagrion species

Tiny, blue and all look the same! Talk to any dragonfly lover about Aciagrion and they instantly wince. It is an incredibly difficult and confusing genus that needs to be resolved - though anyone who dares to do it is a brave individual indeed. There are several known species in Thailand, though one or two of them could have been misidentified (possibly even by the original authors). That said, it seems that there are possibly several more out there that are yet to be described. One of which, I may have spotted last week. It is an Aciagrion species that seems to fall between A. hisopa and A. borneense with a sprinkling of A. pallidum thrown in for good measure. Superficially, it looks like A. borneense. However, the striking difference is the solid blue patch on the abdomen (save a tiny "v" nick) and the appendages are white. The colouration of the rest of the male seems to match that of A. borneense. If it was the only specimen, then I would possibly put it down to being a slightly different population of A. borneense. However, through Dragonflies of Thailand (on Facebook), it appears that this species (with exacting markings) has been spotted at several locations throughout Thailand, though is scarce or overlooked. Also, looking back through my records (old photos) it appears that I did spot a young male (very pale but with a solid patch) at Nam Nao a couple of winters ago. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch one (I saw 3-4 males at one location) as I had forgotten my net. I will return to try and collect a specimen. For now, however, it can only be known at Aciagrion species - until someone far braver than me takes up the horrible and extremely confusing Aciagrion gauntlet and goes back to the drawing board with this genus. Probably not in my lifetime though haha.

The 'new' Aciagrion species (to add even more confusion to the boiling Aciagrion pot):

For comparison, here are photos similar species (where - though subtle - you can make out differences):

1. This one taken at Nam Nao a few years back I first though was A. borneense, but you can just make out the markings (which are similar to that of the specimen above), though this could even be A. occidenale aaarrrggghh!!!)

2. A pallidum, a common winter species (here, this male has whitish appendages...

... though many have a more reddish/orangy colour (often more than this)...

...or an even more confusing blue colour (though this could be another species!!!)

3. A. borneense - here you can clearly see the typical markings which make ID possible - very different than the new species. Easily the most common species.

4. A. hisopa - similar to the 'new' species but completely blue (no green) and the ocelli (eye spots) are large. Also, from memory, it is slightly larger too.

5. Just for good measure, here is A. approximans, another fairly common uplands species to add to the mix (though fairly easy to separate with its purplish hues).

So, there you have it. Aciagrion is as clear as mud! Over to the experts.

186. Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, 1842

Number: 186  

Family: Libellulidae   

Genus: Nannophya   

Species: Nannophya pygmaea 

Common name(s): The Scarlet Dwarf   

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Forested pond (temporary)   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum)  

Sightings (by me): Extremely rare 

In flight (that I have seen): August    

Species easily confused with: N/A

Straight after seeing Ceriagrion pallidum for the first time, around the corner of the same little forested pond, I saw a microscopic, but bright red dragonfly hanging on to reeds for dear life in very blustery conditions. To be honest, I had to look at it for a few seconds before my mind would compute. It was Nannophya pygmaea - a lifer species for me. I had always wanted to see Thailand's smallest species, but feared I would have to travel south in order to do so. However, there it was, much smaller than I could ever dream. I shocked myself into action and managed to get a few shots away before the wind was too much and it shot off never to be seen again. I spent a few hours searching the rest of the pond, but eventually the sun disappeared and with it any chances of finding more. I will return to get improvement shots and I hope that it isn't as rare as I think it is. Maybe I won't see it again. Who knows? I believe it has been recorded once at Phu Kradueng, Loei, but other than that it is mostly seen in the far south, though it is rare there too. 

The male

185. Ceriagrion pallidum Fraser, 1933

Number: 185    
Family: Coenagrionidae    
Genus: Ceriagrion   
Species: Ceriagrion pallidum 
Common name(s): N/A   
Synonyms: N/A    
Habitat: Forested pond (temporary)   
Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (Chaiyaphum)  
Sightings (by me): Rare 
In flight (that I have seen): Early July - Mid-August    
Species easily confused with: Ceriagrion fallax; Ceriagrion indochinense

A species I had been looking for at Phu Khieo WS for two years, has at last made an appearance. However, maybe I have seen it before, but simply overlooked it. At first glance it looks a lot like a young male C. indochinense or a young C. fallax (though I haven't yet seen this species at this location). However, luckily for me, it was actually the former species that helped me to ID it. Thanks to help and information from Noppadon Makbun, I knew it was similar to C. fallax but much paler. Then, yesterday, two male C. indochinense harried a slimmer much paler specimen into the reeds and it just looked different. I wasn't sure but following closer inspection and a few photos, it was in the bag: Ceriagrion pallidum was mine. It is exactly as the description and alongside C. indochinense, it is fairly easy to separate. Fortunately, I even managed to spot other males at different ponds and several females even made an appearance. Better still, this species is fairly easy to approach and not skittish like similar species in the genus. Now I just need to find C. nigroflavum (if it is actually now present in Thailand) to complete the "set" of known Ceriagrion species in Thailand, though there are more I am sure.

I would just like to add that I believe this to be more common and should be at different locations, though it is most definitely easy to overlook. Next time you see a pale specimen, don't simply pass it off as an immature C. indochinense or C. fallax. Take a closer look and you never know. 

The male

Here is a freshly emerged male, which I actually saw at the start of July, though I couldn't confirm it was correct until I found mature males. That said, it isn't really that different from the mature males, just even paler.

The female

Another, slightly paler still female