189: Archibasis viola Lieftinck, 1948

Number: 189  / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Archibasis

Species: Archibasis viola / Violet Sprite  

Habitat: Forested and Shaded Ponds and Slow-moving Streams  

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchatani

Sightings (by me): Uncommon (females rare) 

In flight (that I have seen): July-August   

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 Wildlife Sanctuary, in Chaiyaphum, 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, commonly known as the Violet Sprite.

Since then, I have recorded this species in a number of places from Ubon Ratchathani right down to Narathiwat, though it certainly isn't common.

The Male

Any ideas why it is nicknamed the Violet Sprite? Very obvious colour but usually hides away in the gloom making it hard to see. 

 

Another male I spotted at Ubon Ratchathani. This one shows off the pruinescence at the lower parts of the thorax.

I have 'seen' a female but it was stupidly skittish and no chance. 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!

A great meeting at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum

Date: Saturday, 22nd July 2017

Habitat: Forested ponds/seepage, streams

I told you I was back and now I am for sure. Work can wait. The season can't. I was champing at the bit to get out there and, seeing Andrew Pierce's photos of the (then) Archibasis sp. from Phu Kheio, it really piqued my interest to the point I had to go. How have I not seen this species in over 20 visits? Well, Saturday came and with it, the chance to finally meet Andy and, along with my brother, Paul, we set out -- after a proper dusting down of my camera. So, was it going to be a productive day? Well, let the dragon games begin... we picked up Andy from Khon Kaen Uni at about 5 am (after getting lost using GPS... how do I manage to find anywhere?) After the usual greetings, we set off on the short hop across the boring gap from KK to Chumpae and then straight into the large 7/11 for grub and water. By now, I was getting excited, but that was dashed by a million kids wearing yellow shirts turning up and flooding the place and my instant thought was, "Are they going to PK?" For the record, they didn't. So, we arrived. I don't mean that we had reached the peak of our professional skills; I simply mean we had arrived at the entrance with the wonderful sign that reads, "Roll clown the window" and "20 baht for children, monks and the elderly". We failed on the elderly front but managed to get in for 90 baht in total due to Andy's special card. Now, where can I get one of those cards? 

So, what did we see? Well, the first thing that I saw personally was just how quiet the place was. Though it was still early (about 7.30 am), the place should be teeming with activity. It wasn't. All of those rarities I had promised Andrew didn't seem to be there. The first highlight was Andrew's keen eye spotting a little snake overhanging a ditch. After a few photos, I decided to do my usual thing and creep up on it for better photos... I got a few, but as I got too close, it simply dropped into the water and disappeared... a great defence mechanism, I thought -- until my brother said it was going to bite me underwater. I got out of the water rather quickly. We moved on up the hill stopping at different ponds but nothing of note was spotted. Eventually, we reached the bridge where the main river runs through... and it was flowing normally. From the bridge, we could see a gomphid but it was too low down for a positive ID. We then looked briefly at the two ponds near the stream. I pointed out one of several Amphiallagma parvum to Andrew, who snapped away happily at it. Other than that, it was quiet, save the usual suspects. So, up we went. Eventually, we dropped on a few of the better ponds where I had spotted a few rarities. I spotted a male Orolestes octomaculata. Nothing rare about that and there were many of them hanging in the gloom. However, this was a hyaline male and it was more cooperative than the others I have seen... I was so happy about that! Eventually, my eyes managed to focus on one of PK's true goodies: Ceriagrion pallidum. A rare species but is found here (and at Phu Wiang in Kho Kaen, where I saw it a few years back but didn't know until recently). Another new one for Andy, which made me happy. This is where I saw a solitary male Nannophya pygmaea last year, but it wasn't to be this time round. So, up we went. More ponds, more common species but nothing much to report. We stopped at a stream where Andy had seen several Microgomphus thailandica. However, other than an enormous Cordulid (probably a Macromia sp.) whizzing around at great speed, being so gloomy, nothing showed. Eventually, a little lower down than I had seen it before, I spotted a solitary male Orolestes seylsi. We were both very happy to snap away at this one. As we moved up, the day warmed up and more and more species were appearing. Indolestes anomalus, Lestes praemorsus decipiens, and Ceriagrion azureum... to name but a few. However, one of the shots I took of L. praemorsus decipiens is most likely to be Lestes dorothea, based on the markings on the female. To the point, I am going to say that it is that species, especially as it has been recorded from the place before. We hit a few more ponds but the yielded the same common species so we pushed on to the place where Andy saw that Archbasis sp. It was close to a stream and was under heavy tree cover. There were two ponds there... one to the left and another to the right.... I chose the one to the left. There was literally nothing there. And I mean nothing. Suddenly,  heard a call from Andy... I made it over quicker than Bolt could make it... and there it was. The species he had photographed a while back. There were 2 or 3 males there but they were so skittish. Eventually, they settled down and we both snapped away. At a cafe afterwards, we looked at the photos and the Internet and it was clearly Archibasis viola, a species only known from Chantaburi down... now PK down. There were a few other species here too, but all common. Weird how they were all at the pond and none at the next identical pond. After that, it was the usual suspects all the way until we returned to the main river at the bottom. The two ponds were now alive with dragon activity and I was personally really happy to get a decent shot of Paracercion (calamorum) dyeri, copula. Though I have seen the male here several times, it is my first sighting of the female. We also saw an Anax sp. patrolling the edges. It was most likely Anax indicus as I saw several doing the same there last year. We had a quick look at the river, but there was nothing really to report. So, that was it. We set off home and the second we exited the place the heavens opened. So, good timing! A great day, made even better by meeting Andrew Pierce, a lovely guy who I hope to meet many more times in the near future. The dragon bug is back inside me and I am going to get out there a lot more. Watch this space!

Best photos of the day:

Aciagrion pallidum, male -- a true gem at PK.

Orolestes octomaculata -- hyaline male. Awesome damsel.

 Indolestes anomalus, copula. Probably the most common species in the genus and they tend to copulate en masse. 

Orolestes seylsi, male -- another incredible gem found only at PK in Thailand. 

 Rhyothemis obsolescens, male -- and uncommon species but can be found at PK (though not often)

Neurothemis intermedia atalanta, male -- a seriously common species, though this 'orange' stage is rarely seen.

Brachydiplax farinosa, male -- my first photo of the trip.

 Mortonagrion aborense, copula with female ovipositing. Certainly seems more abundant this year.

Mortonagrion aborense, young male.Certainly a stage I see rarely... and check out those parasites. Why are they small on small species and large on large species? Wouldn't they all grow to the same size or do they expand to the capacity of the host? Hmmm...

Aethriamanta gracilis, male -- a species that is common at just one lake here.  

 Paracercion (calamorum) dyeri, copula -- my first sighting of the female. Really happy about that.

Common, but super cool... Aethriamanta brevipennis, male (red form)

Cratilla lineata calverti, female... one of the most common dragons in the forest. However, young females are hard to approach.

And now the reason for my big smile... Archibasis viola, male. 2-3 males at one small and gloomy pond. There is nothing better.

 Now, I am going to do something I don't normally do. I am going to say that this is Lestes dorothea (without seeing the appendages). The markings on the female match perfectly.

What a tough beast! This web must best incredibly strong in order to see off a robust Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops, male and a Brachydiplax farinosa (being feasted upon). 

A ssssnake... well spotted by Andy. Any ideas what species?

... and let's finish on an unpopular bug... grasshoppers. Why are they not popular? How cool is this little fellow?

Next trip: Dunno but very soon!

188: Coeliccia nigrescens Laidlaw, 1931

Number: 188  / Family: Platycnemidiae / Genus: Coeliccia

Species: Coeliccia nigrescens / Dusky Sylvan* 

 

Habitat: Narrow Forested Streams 

Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Nayok, Kalasin, Sakhon Nakhon 

Sightings (by me): Rare (2-3 males, 1 female) 

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

Species easily confused with: Coeliccia didyma didyma; Coeliccia didyma didyma

*As there is no common name, I based the first part on the species name 'nigrescens' meaning 'becoming black' or  'darkening' so settled on 'Dusky' and 'Sylvan' which has been used for some species in the genus, so the Dusky Sylvan.

So, one trip in yielded nothing (Pala-U w/f). The next trip to Khao Yai and into Nakhon Nayok, did produce... thanks to November Rain Rain (Facebook name). Thanks to her kindness, I managed to find the rather elusive Coeliccia nigrescens, which I have named the Dusky Sylvan. It is a species that has already been recorded at Nakhon Nayok and, as far as I am aware, one location in the south. However, I found it where I didn't expect it to be... along the edge of the road under the cover of tree cover and darkness. It seemed to be at home in the overflow bit that runs along side the road, but only in one short section. It was reported to be along a path and was commonly seen, both males and females. Unfortunately, I was greeted by torrential rain and seriously poor conditions. The path -- which I found -- was almost devoid of the species... I got a fleeting glimpse of a solitary male that retreated hastily back into the gloom. Fortunately, there were 2-3 males, plus a solitary female under heavy cover. However, with the horrible rain and gloom, photography was really tough. I managed to get some OK shots of the male and a record shot of the female, which will have to do for now. However, I know where it is now and will return in better weather for sure. It is very much like a Coeliccia sp. and has many of the same traits... the annoying speed at which it can retreat when you finally managed to spot one in the gloom and the way they hand from the tips of leaves. It is also incredibly like C. didyma but can be separated by the white appendages and doesn't have a blue patch on segments 9-10. Also, the markings on the thorax are slightly different. 
So, until I return, these photos will have to do. Since then, I have seen it a few times at Phu Phan National Park in both Kalasin and Sakhon Nakhon, where it is more abundant, though does look a little different.

The Male
Very much like C. didyma but can be separated by the end of the abdomen which has small whitish tips. Here is the 'Phu Phan' form...

Here is the 'Khai Yai' form. See how the blue spots of the thorax are heavily reduced.

The Female

I have taken photos of the female at both Phu Phan and Khai Yai and there is rather conflicting views.

This specimen looks very much like C. poungyi and it could possibly be that species. However, I am yet to see a male of that species at Phu Phan NP in around 8-10 trips. Furthermore, take a look at the copula (at the bottom) and the other female (directly below). It is decidedly similar, though C. poungyi seems to have a spot closer to the top of the abdomen, whereas this is a longer spot/stripe that comes from the base. Please correct me if I am wrong. I need to find more specimens.

As you can see, this is 100% C. nigrescens as it had just split after ovipositing. Here, it is more like a full stripe. 

And here is a record shot of the female from Khao Yai, though obviously older. 

The Copula

This copula I managed to photograph at Phu Phan and you can clearly see the similarities with the females at the top.

I'm Back (Sort of)

Location: Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Nayok

Date: Wednesday, 10th May 2017

Habitat: Mid- to upland forested ponds/seepage

Just when you thought you had finally got rid of me forever, I am back for good... though not really just yet.

Due to work commitments eating up all my time and a million other things going on in my life, I have had zero opportunity to get out there and hunt and we're already slap bang in the middle of the key part of the season. That said, I did manage to get out a couple of times back in May during a two-location trip to Hua Hin and Khao Yai with my wife, Beau, and were completely contrasting places. Pala-U Waterfall was again my destination in Hua Hin and it was - again - a write-off. My car battery died near the bridge at the entrance and I wasted half a day getting it going again (thanks, old man with a beaten up pick-up truck who had jump leads) and then having to buy a new battery. Then it was a day of ridiculously scorching heat and it seemed as though the dragons had retreated deep under cover. I saw glimpses of a few species, but nothing to write home about (or blog about anyway). I may post a blog on it, but not sure if it is worth it. Towards the end of the trip, we ventured north and stopped off at Khai Yai for a few days (Nakhon Ratchasima entrance). I managed to sneak out for a day here too. However, unlike Hua Hin, is was basically pouring down all day. I managed to sneak in a couple of hours here and there... and I forgot how good the place was. That said, I couldn't locate the natural pond I visited last time I went back in 2011 where I saw a number of new species for my records and really wanted to find it again. However, it wasn't to be. In any case, I was put onto a new species for me deeper into the park, just inside Nakhon Nayok. A fellow dragon hunter known as November Rain Rain in the Dragonflies of Thailand group on Facebook was kind enough to let me in on her find. So, half knowing where the place was but still unsure, I set off met by a number of elephants en route. I reached the place where I thought it was (following GPS) and following a sharp incline, I made it. However, when I walked around the trail, it was nowhere to be found... nor was any water for that matter. However, unperturbed, I made my way to another area and realised that I had visited the wrong bit... it was slightly further down the hill (about 50 metres) as she described... duh! However, very little water anywhere and I still could find anything. I found a little bit of scrub where a number of cars parked and eventually I dropped on a tiny blue damsel... I knew exactly what it was as I seem to spot them wherever I go: Indolestes sp. I also knew that November had spotted Indolestes birmanus there too on her trip. And knew it would be that species. However, even though I had seen this rare species a couple of times at Phu Kradeung, I was really happy to see it, especially as this was the first 'blue' one I had spotted. In the area, there were very few other specimens, though I saw another male, a solitary Indothemis carnatica, male, and Ceriagrion azureum, one male, one female. There were also a few other very common species flitting around. However, it was almost devoid of water anywhere. Eventually, I searched the overflow channel that runs along the road, heavily covered by trees. There were a few tiny puddles in the gloom and I could see a Copera sp. in the distance hovering over mud. Then, in the corner of my eye I saw a more familiar shape moving...  I knew it was Coeliccia. But was it the species I came all this way to see? I took a couple of snaps and it was off. However, the shot was good enough for an ID... YES!!! It was indeed Coeliccia nigrescens, a species known from Nakhon Nayok and one location in the south (if memory serves correct). So, thanks to November, my season was up and running. However, getting decent photos was a different story. It took me an age to get anything half decent, made more difficult by the impending storm that God was whisking up right over my head. The rains came and I dashed for the car. Eventually, it abated and I went in search again. Overall, I found 3-4 males and a solitary female (though it was reported to be common only a week or so earlier). Amazing what dull rainy weather can do! Anyway, moving on I went in search of other odes, but there was nothing rare to mention. Just the usual suspects found in the forested areas at Nam Nao and Phu Kheio (for me). I did manage to spot a few OK looking areas and will return for sure (if I can ever get a break from work). This place has loads to go at and there is a lot to still be uncovered I am sure. However, I am most certainly off to Phu Khieo this Saturday and hope to find something exciting to get me going again  like this trip did.

Best photos of the day:

The rare (but even rarer) blue Indolestes birmanus, male

 New for my records (though only a record shot) Coeliccia nigrescens, male... yup, it does exist, though looks decidedly like Coeliccia didyma from a (very close) distance.

Hmmm... Yes... new species... but not... or maybe... the "blue" Aciagrion saga continues. Likely to be Aciagrion pallidum, but not sure 100%.... female, then male.

The impending rains (and seriously heavy)... time to close those spreadwings (something I see a lot) when it is cold or a storm is coming... young male Lestes praemorsus decipiens.

 A common species in forested areas but hard to find cooperative specimens... Vestalis gracilis, female

 A stunning welcome to any camera lens... Orolestes octomaculata, male (a bitch to get close to )

At a cafe outside the park during torrential rain... Gynacantha subinterrupta, female... though still a nice spot.

I also saw a few bigger living things... a beautiful Red Muntjac deer, hogging the road early in the morning.

How to control your children... it took less than 10 seconds...

 

... and the reason why people DON'T greet by shaking hands with their left....

Next trip: Phu Khieo this Saturday (even if it kills me).