174: Platylestes platystylus (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 174 / Family: Lestidae / Genus: Platylestes  

Species: Platylestes platystylus / Green Spotted Spreadwing*

Habitat: Forested Marshy Lakes 

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum  

Sightings (by me): Rare / In flight: July-November 

Species easily confused with: Lestes praemorsus decipiens; Lestes elatus

*As there is no common name, I have used the first part of the Thai nam 'Green Spotted' and the commonly used name for the genus, 'Spreadwing, so it is 'Green Spotted Spreadwing. 

Well, things just seem to be going well for me this year. Another trip to Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum yielded yet another species for me ... this time in the shape of Platylestes platystylus. It is a species that I have been searching for now for a long time (I think I saw it once in Chiang Mai and the search was on from then). Every time I thought I saw it, on closer inspection it turned out to be either L. decipiens or most often L. elatus. It is clearly an uncommon species but even more so in NE Thailand (but then most things are). I decided to search an area I visited last October, which is an extremely claggy and marshy area that is difficult to walk through and even though I nearly died of exhaustion, it was well worth it. There deep in the reeds was another specimen from the Lestidae family ... surely ... it was ... yes! Finally, I saw it and got a few decent photos though the wind was terrible and made photographing twig-sized bugs on reeds rather challenging indeed. I managed to spot 4-5 males in a small area and was also extremely happy to not only spot, but get some great shots, of the female 'in action'. I have since seen another two males and a single young male.

The Male

The male is a blueish-olive colour and quite pale compared to other similar species. It also has a number of small spots on the thorax which is characteristic of the species. However, for a proper identification, you need to look at the white appendages, which are quite different from other Lestid species. 

The 'Teneral' Male

Here is a newly emerged male early in the morning. Probably emerged overnight. Here, it displays all the markings very well.

The Appendages

The Female

The female is very similar to the male but is slightly paler olive green, has fewer spots and its abdomen is more robust, which is typical of this family. Here, she is ovipositing (laying eggs).

The Copula

... and in tandem ... 

but what's happening?