Number: 119 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Hydrobasileus
Species: Hydrobasileus croceus / Amber-winged Glider
Habitat: Exposed Forested Ponds and Lakes
Location(s): Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Petchabun, Ubon Ratchathani
In flight: April-August / Sightings (by me): Locally common
Species easily confused with: N/A
Species easily confused with: N/A
A large dragonfly I saw battling right in the middle of a natural pond at Khao Yai National Park, was Hydrobasileus croceus, Commonly known as the Amber-winged Glider. There were two males and a female, which never seemed to land. Instead carried out a number of threat displays, probably because the female was full of eggs (they look bright yellow/green at the end of the female's abdomen (dragonfly closest to the bottom of the picture). Only 1 male seemed to land and that was at an inaccessible tree on the other side of the pond (just my luck!). However, though quite small this image is good enough to identify the species, especially the male top left. They were amazing to watch and were extremely loud when they collided with each other. I hope to spot one in the resting position one day for better quality pictures. Since then, I have seen this species a number of Times. It certainly isn't common for me, but if you do see it, you should see several at once. But, the best thing ever, was that, in 2022, almost 14 years after first seeing it ALWAYS fly, walking down a forested path with my brother, Paul, I could see one perching. Yes! P-E-R-C-H-I-N-G! It was a male but I was only armed with my 180mm macro lens and it was high up. Fortunately, Paul is a bird nerd so he had his 100-400mm lens... I switched over and got pretty good shots!
The Male
The male is medium-sized and is usually always in flight, battling away (see below). However looking closely, you can clearly see the zig-zag pattern at the base of its abdomen which is the easy way to ID it.
This is usually all you can ever get... believe me. I have tried countless times!
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