Number: 144 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Ceriagrion
Species: Ceriagrion calamineum / Turmeric-yellow Marsh Dart*
Habitat: Open, Ponds, Usually Surrounded by Tree Cover
Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Ratchasima, Bueng Khan
Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Ratchasima, Bueng Khan
In flight: July-August / Sightings (by me): Uncommon
Species easily confused with: Many Ceriagrion Species
I know colour isn't a good way to identify odonata. I also know that identifying Ceriagrion can really difficult with some species. However, on a recent trip to Khao Yai I spotted a damselfly that just seemed different to all the others. The colours were similar (but slightly more orange) to that of C. indochinense. However, it's size eliminated C. indochinense straight away (the latter is larger, in my experience anyway). Anyway, it turns out that it is a new species (well, most probably), known as Ceriagrion calamineum. Since then, I have only managed to spot a solitary male in a large partially flooded open field on the edge of forest in Bueng Khan. sadly, I am yet to see the female.
The Male
The male is a kind of 'burnt orange' or as suggested in the Thai name, the colour of turneric. It also has pale green eyes.
The first time I saw the species... there were many at Khao Yai (though not seen then there since)
In the hand...
This gives an idea of its size.
Here, I placed him against my lighter for a better idea of size (I will get round to measuring that exact size one day).
I didn't get to see any females, but the males were commonplace at one location in Khao Yai NP.
Once again, many thanks to Noppadon Makbun and Oleg Kosterin for the ID (both are pretty sure it's the correct ID)
No my friend, Onychargia atrocyana white pruinosed form isn`t a species. So, still 149 ;)
ReplyDeleteHahaha I know, but I feel it deserves a place all of its own (I'm really clutching at straws)!
ReplyDeleteMy real aim is to get many, many more species... once I've hit around 152-3 then I know I've cracked 150!
I am almost sure this is C. calamineum: the mesostigmal plate is partly seen and agrees, the colour should be chrome yellow (or orange yellow), habitat in Cambodia also high open places. But I would not say it had unusual size in Cambodia: in fact, the species is extremely close to C. olivaceum in anything but the male colour
ReplyDeleteBut are you sure this very site in Khao Yai was situated in Nakhon Ratchasima Province rather than in Nakhon Nayok Province (from where C. calamineum is known)?
ReplyDeleteHi Dr. Oleg! Many thanks for the reply. Noppadon also agrees with you. Yes, the colours match your photos too (on asia-dragonfly.net). As for size, it was more of a comparison to C. indochinense which is larger than this species (the ones I have encountered anyway). Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi again Dr. Oleg. As far as the location is concerned, I must look carefully at the map. I will then get back to you when I am 100% sure.
ReplyDeleteContinue like this with... pretty sure species, and you will achieve quickly and easily your goal.
ReplyDelete