224: Libellago hyalina (Selys, 1859)

  Number: 224 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Libellago
Species: Libellago hyalina / Clearwing Gem
Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat, Yala
In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Habitat: Lowland Forested Streams and Rivers

Species easily confused with: N/A

Well, after years of searching for Libellago hyalina, the Clearwing Gem at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum where it has been recorded but to no avail, I finally went to Sirindhorn Peat Swamp in Narathiwat where it was abundant. Though the day started very slowly, by the afternoon it was everywhere and there were three forms there! I managed to spot the red, the blue and the purple forms of male and the yellow and dark forms of the female (though I missed a photo). So, here they are... you could say i was a little happy!

The 'Purple' Male

This was the rarest form at the swamp but no less beautiful.

The 'Red' Male

This is the form that is supposed to be the most common and looks like this in Surat Thani where it is also known.

The 'Blue' Male

No idea why but this one was easily the most skittish form. This is the best photo I managed to get of him.

The Female

I thought the female was rather fetching too, especially this form (yellow), sadly I missed getting a decent photo of the dark female.