132: Agrionoptera insignis insignis (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 132 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Agrionoptera

Species: Agrionoptera insignis insignis / Grenadier

Habitat: Forest Uplands ponds
Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Chantaburi, Nakhorn Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Petchabun

Sightings (by me): Uncommon
In flight (that I have seen): April-November

Another new species I found at a natural pond, in Khao Yai NP, is Agrionoptera insignis insignis. I instantly knew the species, thanks to Noppadon Makbun's great image of the male on his blog. When I first saw it on his blog, I wanted to see this beautiful dragonfly. And now I have!

The Male

When I returned to the same place that I saw a teneral female, I managed to spot 2 males resting close by under heavy tree cover. They were difficult to get anywhere near, but my persistence paid off and I managed to get a decent shot or two... as well as a million leech bites, full of mud and scratches everywhere. Totally worth it! Since then, I have seen this species quite often. It isn't common but nor is it uncommon... somewhere in the middle haha. 

Another male basking in the bright afternoon sunshine at Phu Khieo WS.

The 'Teneral' Male

This male was spotted at first light at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, in Chaiyaphum. He had clearly just emerged.

The Female

The females are fare less common than the males, but seem quite approachable when you do see them. Annoyingly, they seem to push their wings forward obscuring some of the patternation on the thorax.

 

Fortunately, she opened her wings momentarily...

The 'Teneral' Female

The female has very similar markings to that of the male. Some seem to be confused with this species and Lathrecista asiatica, especially the male. However, I knew exactly what this was from a good distance. The anguish I went through trying to get close enough to photograph it without scaring it away was immense, especially as I was wading through heavily muddy water.