233: Podolestes orientalis Selys, 1862

         Number: 233 / Family: Argiolestidae / Genus: Podolestes

Species: Podolestes orientalis/ Blue-spotted Flatwing

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Swampy ponds, Streams

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Podolestes coomansi  

A few days after spotting Podolestes coomasni for the first time, Noppadon Makbun and I were slowly wading through a swampy pond that was heavily shaded form trees and shallow in areas but very deep in other parts, making it somewhat treacherous to walk through. Eventually, a few more common species started to show and then a large damselfly landed right in front of me... it was Podolestes... coomansi again? The area was quite dark and the damselfly was difficult to see. Worse still, as I went to take a photo, it lifted up and flew. Fortunately, it flew right near to Noppadon who had more light and he said straight away... it's orientalis! So, Podolestes orientalis, commonly known as the Blue-spotted Flatwing, was a new addition to both our records and we were both incredibly happy! Better still, I got a decent shot of it and we managed to spot 3-4 males that morning. I also saw a female but it was far too skittish and eluded the lens. Interestingly, Podolestes coomansi was also present. 

The male

Very similar in appearance to Podolestes coomansi, the easiest way to separate the species is by looking at the markings on the thorax. They are quite different and quite easy to separate... IF you can see them in the gloom.

This was the first one I saw in the gloom...