212: Lyriothemis pallidistigma Kompier, Holden & Makbun, 2021

Number: 212 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Lyriothemis

Species: Lyriothemis pallidistigma / Chanthaburi Wide-bellied Dragonfly*

Habitat: Open Grassy Fields

Provinces sighted: Chantaburi

Sightings (by me): Abundant (males and females) at one location

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: Lyriothemis elegantissima, Lyriothemis sp.

*As there isn't a common name, I decided to use part of the Thai name 'Chanthaburi' and there are quite a few names for the genus, such as Bombardier, Skimmer and Chaser. However, I think this genus deserves a more descriptive name so I decided to use a more descriptive 'Wide-bellied Dragonfly' (Lyriothemis: Wide-bellied Dragonfly), which is a more accurate description, so... the Chantaburi Wide-bellied Dragonfly. 

Right at the end of the last day, there was one last location to visit before heading home. Again, we were lead to the location by a fellow dragonfly hunter on Dragonflies of Thailand (Facebook Group). And, yet again, sadly I don't remember their name... but a million thanks anyway! Once we arrived, I was a little shocked. Just like the farmer's paddy field where there were numerous Mortonagrion falactum, this was just a simple field. Seriously, come one. There are millions like it it Khon Kaen. Boring, featureless fields. No way can a rare species reside there. It was a big field, granted, with a lot of long grass. But just a field like any other all the same. However, a female Lyriothemis species had been spotted there and it looked incredibly like L. pachygastra, the male of which I am desperate to see with its awesome blue markings. But I was not confident of seeing anything here. Not a chance. Anyway, there was lots of broken glass in the field and while some of the others put on more suitable footwear, I dived in... within about 5 seconds I came across a female. Amazing! Then a male. Then two more. In fact, they were everywhere! Loads of Lyriothemis out in the open. Why? How? Who? What? What was going on? Who knows? But, there they were, as happy as anything. Within a very short space of time and with everyone well and truly sated with their shots, it was apparent that it wasn't L. pachygastra. It was something else. L. elegantissima was mentioned as was the species I had seen in Phu Khieo, though I wasn't entirely convinced. Upon returning home (and others also collected a few specimens), I began to compare my photos with the ones from PK. The genitalia was slightly different and there were a few other subtle differences. I am convinced it is NOT that species. Then, upon finding Tom's blog (as usual hehe) I notice that he had already posted wonderful photos of L. elegantissima.. it was very similar and found in a similar habitat but, most importantly, the genitalia is almost identical. So, L. elegantissima it was, yay!... though Noppadon still had his doubts ( he always does, haha).  

Since then, this species has now been described as Lyriothemis pallidistigma and is an amazing species.

The Male

Very similar to other red Lyriothemis species but the genitalia and markings are slightly different.

The Female

It is similar to the male but more yellowish in colour, though a few of us saw an orangish female.

A slightly older female...

... and a fully matured female?

...and a young female from a different angle...

Mr and Mrs Lyriothemis... something I saw a few times... the male with the female but not copulating. I wonder why? Copulated already and the male is protecting her? She isn't ready and he is waiting? They are just friends? 

211: Risiophlebia guentheri Kosterin, 2015

Number: 211

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Risiophlebia

Species: Risiophlebia guentheri

Common Name(s): N/A 

Habitat: Forested swampy area

Provinces sighted: Krathing Waterfall (Chantaburi)

Sightings (by me): One male, one female

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: N/A

One of the reasons why the group trip was arranged was to see an incredible species that was recorded for the first time for Thailand just last year. Tiny and black (with yellow markings) and being at home in dull swampy areas, I actually missed it at first. Under heavy tree cover, the other Facebook guys were trying to point it out. They were all firing away and I still couldn't see it! Eventually, on a little stick, there it was: a tiny, dull species known as Risiophlebia guentheri. It is a rather peculiar species that obviously likes swampy areas and so far is only known from the one location in Thailand. Once I managed to get in a few decent photos in the gloom, I could see just how good it looked with its bulbous S1-2 of the abdomen and a curve to the remainder. Fortunately, for me (blind and stupid haha), it was fairly easy to approach. Once we made it back outside the swamp, a couple of the team were already happy in the fact that they, too, had found male and female! Aaarrrgh! They saw the female... and the lighting was much better outside. Amazingly, a second female was found and everyone managed to get in shots of both sexes, although the place was then shrouded in cloud as the rains moved in (you can see the rain on the female as I took photos before dashing for shelter).

The male

Identifiable by its diminutive size and that incredible bulbous section on the abdomen. Knowing how dark it was, I am very happy with these shots. 

The female

Similar to the male but has a more robust abdomen and the bulbous section is even more prominent (you can just see the rain on her abdomen). 

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for leading us to this species.

210: Mortonagrion falcatum Lieftinck, 1934

Number: 210 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Mortonagrion

Species: Mortonagrion falactum / Hooked Midget

Habitat: Open Paddy Fields

Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi

Sightings (by me): Abundant at two locations

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: Mortonagrion aborense

Mortonagrion aborense is a fairly common species that can be found around the country and is often found in swampy areas, grassy ponds and lakes on the edge of forest and also deep under the protection of foliage. So... the same should be said for Mortonagrion falactum, right? Well, it couldn't be further from the truth! We were led by a Dragonflies of Thailand Facebook group member (sorry, I don't know the name but thank you sooo much) to all I can describe as being a regular farmer's paddy field in the middle of nowhere. It was a place you would most certainly drive straight past and not give it a second's thought. Not only that, one we got our eye in (the Facebook team) and we realised just how small it was, it was easy to spot them everywhere. It was also abundant in another farmer's field not too far away, which suggests any field that is similar in the location could well have many of them. So, once found and in fairly decent light (though was heavily cloudy with a storm brewing in the distance) getting photos shouldn't be a problem, right? Well, you couldn't be further from the truth. Being so small and there was a constant breeze making photography really tough. It was also quite skittish and we all had to wade through the rice fields to follow them. I managed to get a few decent photos in the end (as did everyone). However, I think we all felt a little dizzy in the end. 

The Male

Tiny, but beautiful. A species I didn't think I would ever get to see. The most distinctive feature is its blue patch on the abdomen. The appendages are also distinctive which probably give it its name.

The Female

The female is a lot duller in comparison, though there orange-brown thorax was pretty easy to pick out in the long rice fields. On closer inspection (though tough to see), it has slim blue stripes along the abdomen. There is also a feint patch on the abdomen like the male (though no way near as strong). 

 The 'Teneral' Female

I was also lucky enough to spot a teneral female (Noppadon saw teneral male but I missed it).

209: Brachygonia oculata (Brauer, 1878)

Number: 209 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Brachygonia    
Species: Brachygonia oculata / Common name(s): Pixie 
Habitat: Swampy areas and very slow moving swampy streams
Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi, Narathiwat  
In flight: July-August / Sightings (by me): Very common at Narathiwat   
Species easily confused with: None

One species I have always wanted to see and never really had the opportunity as it was thought to be a southern species finally materialised recently. At a seriously dingy swamp area heavily covered in trees and bushes that ripped you to death and with enormous black clouds looming, I was searching for a little species that Noppadon Makbun had told me could be found there. After searching for about 30 mins and being torn to shreds, I almost gave up. The lighting was just too bad. Then, in the corner of my eye, I saw a tiny bit of white fluff move a little in the distance. I looked at it for a moment and thought it was my imagination. Then, as I stood up, it moved again. This time I focused on it through the gloom... OMG! That was it! Soooooo tiny I almost missed it! I was looking for something about the size of Brachydiplax farinosa but it was much smaller! I started taking shots of it and, to my horror, my lens and camera had steamed up. Arrrgghhh! I tried everything to clear it, but it just kept on fogging up again. So... I just sat there and waited. And waited. I eventually gave up and went out into the open so it could get a bit of sun which eventually worked. Upon my return, it was gone! Noooo! I had missed it! I searched for ages without success. Then, right in the corner and deep in the gloom, I saw him again. This time I fired off a load of shots. They were all too dark but they were good enough record shots. Then, just as I was about to leave, he flew a little higher and to an area where the sun shone through a little (just enough for a good shot)... I fired off a few shot and knew I had him in the bag! Brachygonia oculata, male! A superb species and a bit of a lifer for me -- though I had no idea it was so small! I returned the next day with a couple of the guys and we found another male. This time, the lighting was a little better and I got a few other shots. 

The Male
Nothing really to say about this male, other than it is awesome!!! It cannot really be confused with any other species with its brilliant orange body with a gorgeous white patch on the abdomen and black end segments... what a cool dude.

 And closer...

The Female
The female is also very cute but doesn't have the sheer "wow" factor of the male!

208: Orchithemis pulcherrima Brauer, 1878

Number: 208 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orchithemis

Species: Orchithemis pulcherrima / Variable Sentinel

Habitat: Forested Lowlands Streams

Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi, Narathiwat, Ubon Ratchatani

Sightings (by me): Uncommon

In flight (that I know of): July-August

Easily confused with: Orchithemis pruinans

A species that had the Facebook dragon guys scratching their collective heads was a rather plain looking female. It looked a little like a Lyriothemis species until it suddenly dawned on someone... it was Orchithemis  pulcherrima -- a new species for most of our records! Amazingly, one or two members even got a fleeting glimpse of a red male high up in the tree canopy, though I missed it. 

It likes to perch on twigs at the edge of the forest. However, with the weather being so poor, the others weren't showing. Since then, I have spotted a solitary male in Ubon Ratchatani province, and several males and females in Narathiwat province, where it was a little more common.

The 'Red' Male

I think this is the standard form, though correct me if I am wrong. This was a solitary male I saw under heavy tree cover in the gloom at Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park in Ubon Ratchatani in 2022.

The 'Orange" Male

This male will likely turn red eventually and was actually quite skittish.

The 'Black' Male

This is very similar to O. pruinans but has a much broader abdomen. This specimen hovered for a long time in the hope that a female close by would fly. 

The 'Purple' Female

I think that this is one of a few forms of female too... this one has a more purplish colour to it. 

The 'Yellow' Female

I think this is a young female and may go darker eventually.

The "Old' Female

This, is think, is the normal female, but old just old (you can see how the colour on the thorax is different than the 'Purple' female above.

207: Macromia cupricincta Fraser, 1924

Number: 207 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Macromia
Species: Macromia cupricincta / Copper-banded River Cruiser*
Habitat: Forested streams

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Chantaburi, Nong Khai, Petchabun, Sakhon Nakhon
Sightings: Uncommon
In flight: May - August
Species easily confused with: Macromia moorei

*As it doesn't have a common name, I have decided upon 'Copper-banded' which is a rough translation of 'cupricincta' and 'River Cruiser' being named after the genus Macromia.

During the death throes of the day's light, I was sitting in a bungalow with my wife, Beau, at Krathing Waterfall, when I suddenly heard a loud thud on the window followed by the distinctive 'clacking' sound of a dragonfly. I jumped into action and saw it on the floor outside trying the get upright again. I grabbed it quickly and knew it was Macromia straight away but not sure which species (there are at least ten in the genus and I have only seen one). I hastily put my gear together (everything was being charged for the following day) and started shooting it. Sadly, the lighting was terrible. So, I waited until the morning when there was more light, though it was still very dull with the pending rains. I managed to snap away and with decent shots I did a little research. I landed on Tom's awesome blog (as I usually do now -- thanks, Tom!) and it was quite easy to work out that it was Macromia cupricincta, which I have now named the Copper-banded River Cruiser. The unique curve at the base of the wings near the anal loop as well as the protrusion on S10 make identification possible. Yay! Another species for my records. Since this post, I have sen this species 5-6 times.

The Male
It is similar to other species in the genus but has a few distinctive features. This is an older specimen.

And this one has the typical 'rusty' end segments...

This one from Chaiyaphum...

Another male in hand (Chantaburi) which flew into my door.

 One is the curved wing near the anal loop...

 ... then there is that dull brownish face to go with its awesome emerald eyes...

... and, of course, that protrusion on S10...

The Female

This is not my photo. This was taken by my brother, Paul, who is a birder and looks up more than me! I wasn't even there but I thought it would be a good place to show it. Hopefully. I will get to see the female one day.