240: Anax panybeus Hagen, 1867

              Number: 240 / Family: Aeshnidae / Genus: Anax

Species: Anax panybeus / Arrow Emperor

Province(s) sighted: Phitsanoluk, Udon Thani

Habitat: Forested Ponds and Streams

In flight: May-September / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: All Anax Species

Back in 2015, I was at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in the Phitsanulok area and I saw an Anax species patrolling a large lake and I wasn't sure exactly which species it was. I managed to get a couple of shots of it but it was so far away and the closest I could get covered about 3 pixels. Anyway, I asked on the Facebook group, Dragonflies of Thailand and a few experts, including Noppadon Makbun suggested that it could be Anax panybeus, based on the faint and small spots on the abdomen. The real reason why there wasn't much confidence was that it seemed out of range... until my daft brother, Paul, and his big lens for birding popped up again. 

He was searching an area in Udon Thani province of all places and while out looking for feathered friends in Isaan, he takes photos of interesting looking dragons for me to look at. This time he came back with a good photo of an Anax species. I was confident that it was Anax panybeus but got confirmation from Noppadon Makun first and he stated that it was, in fact, not just a provincial record, but a new record for the whole of the NE of Thailand which is an amazing feat! Congrats, r Paul! But, that got me thinking again... and I dug out a few other photos of the one I saw patrolling at PHRK and putting two and two together, I came up with A. panybeus too, commonly known as the Arrow Emperor! Not quite in the NE of Thailand but still another great find, which Noppadon confirmed later. So, as I only have a couple of terrible shots of it, I am posting Paul's great in-light shot of his he saw in Udon Thani!

The Male

This is Paul's great effort in capturing a male, A. panebeus, while in flight...

...and here is my poultry attempt...

I must get a better photo of him one day (I did only have a 180mm lens on me!)

First photo courtesy of my brother, Paul, as a placement photo until I can get a good shot my own. Many thanks, r kid!