223: Libellago aurantiaca (Selys, 1859)

 Number: 223 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Libellago

Species: Libellago aurantiaca / Fiery Gem
Habitat: Lowland Forested Streams and Rivers
Province(s) sighted: Songkhla
In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: N/A

One genus I absolutely adore is Libellago, though I had actually only seen one of the four known Thai species from the genus... until I went to the deep south and I saw all four on one trip! I was amazed to see them. The last one I saw was the very bright and cool-looking Libellago aurantiaca, commonly known as the Fiery Gem. It is a very small but wonderful and bright species with a glowing orange abdomen. Thankfully spotted by Noppadon Makbun, I had the chance to photograph the male. We saw two to three males along a stretch of forested shallow river at San Kala Khiri National Park in Songkhla province. I was so happy to see it, though I didn't see a female.

The Male

It boasts very bright orange abdomen and is simply stunning, though tough to photograph as he was so low down at water level... backbreaking but worth it!