239: Burmagomphus w. williamsoni Förster, 1914

    Number: 239 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Burmagomphus

Species: Burmagomhpus w. williamsoni / Williamson's Clubtail*

Province(s) sighted: Prachuap Khiri Khan

Habitat: Open Streams on the Edge of Forest

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

Species easily confused with: All Burmagomhpus species

*No common name so named 'Williamson' after Edward Bruce Williamson and 'Clubtail' which is linked to Burmagomphus.

This was a photo that sat on my hard drive for quite a few years as it is, well, terrible. However, according to Noppadon Makbun, it is actually a female of the species Burmagomphus williamsoni, which I have simply named Williamson's Clubtail. I saw the species literally for about 2 seconds... one photo, gone. I was at a stream outside the entrance to Pa La-U Waterfall. There isn't much else to say about it really as it is such a poor photo, but I will add it until I can get better photos of the female and of the male. 

The Female

As you can see, not exactly an award-winning photo but at least I have seen it!

238: Burmargiolestes melanothorax (Selys, 1891)

            Number: 238 / Family: Rhipidolestidae / Genus: Burmargiolestes

Species: Burmargiolestes melanothorax / Orange-faced Burmese Damselfly*

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

Habitat: Uplands Shaded Streams/Ponds

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Locally Common

Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there is no common name, I have based in on the Thai name, with the fact that it has an orange face and was first described from Burma. Can you think of better?

Almost 15 years past from my first visit to Chiang Mai searching for dragonflies when I found 40 new species for my records... I was over the moon. But in all the times I had been since, I never ever saw one I was desperate to see: Burmargiolestes melanothorax, which am now giving the common name, the Orange-faced Burmese Damselfly for now at least. Anyway, it took another trip, along with Noppadon Makbun and a lot of searching and then, in an instant, I saw a female... and then a male... and then more. In fact, there were lots of them in the gloom. Hard to photograph, but there, all thanks to Noppadon! I was so happy to finally put it to bed and got decent shots of the male and the female.

The Male

I can't show you this species without showing his face first. Is there anything better? Rather a plain-looking species but that orange face changes everything. It was worth the 15-years wait!

And a more traditional shot of him...

The Female

The female is very much like the male minus the orange face but is much more robust. She does have nice orange legs, though.

237: Sundacypha petiolata (Selys, 1859)

           Number: 237 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Sundacypha

Species: Sundacypha petiolata / Stream Sapphire

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Shaded and Shallow Forest Stream

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

Species easily confused with: N/A 

Easily one of the highlights of the trip was specifically looking for, and finding, Sundacypha petiolata, commonly known as the Stream Sapphire. It is an incredibly rare species that has only been recently discovered for Thailand and we were kindly told about the location by a couple of birders who are close friends of Noppadon Makbun and in the Facebook group, Dragonflies of Thailand. However, for the first hour or so, it was a no show... just a few common species popping up. As the day warmed, more species showed, typical of forest streams. Eventually, I got the call: "Dennis!!!" I was further down the stream and I could hear Noppadon firing away. I reached him and there it was: a female. We both got plenty of shots in, though it was still a little dull. Then eventually, I spotted a male. Not too skittish, but not that easy. Anyway, we carried on along the stream and saw a few more individuals and some other more common species too. Many thanks to the friends of Noppadon (and Noppadon) for guiding us to the stream. There is no way I would have found it otherwise.

The Male

For me, one of the most beautiful little species known in Thailand. Very small and a little bit skittish, but you can get photos if you see him. Stunning colours with yellow markings on the thorax and orange dorsally on the abdomen. That's before we see the black wingtips that shine iridescent blue in the right light.

The Female

The female isn't as colourful as the male but still beautiful in her own way.

I also got a brief glimpse of a second female (feint wingtips) ovipositing on a twig on the stream, closely guarded by a male.

236: Ictinogomphus acutus Laidlaw, 1914

           Number: 236 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Ictinogomphus

Species: Ictinogomphus acutus / Rusty Clubtail*

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest

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

Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there is currently no common name, I have based the name on the genus being known as 'Clubtails' and the appendages of the species having a unique 'rusty' colour. 

Like many species at Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, Ictinogomphus acutus eluded us 'til the last. My brother saw this species a year or so earlier and managed to get a decent shot of it, which we quickly named it the Rusty Clubtail, due to its abdomen end segments. When we arrived, it was nowhere to be seen... except it was! Paul's missus, Suu, saw it perching in the trees and took some nice photos which I will add when I get them processed. Paul even sent images of where it was! Bur the dragonfly guys (me and Noppadon Makbun) missed it again. 2-0 to the birders! As we searched for it, the birders returned and explained where it was... we could see it. The guys wandered off looking for birds. Suddenly, there it was... massive... it WAS still in that tree but it shot off and we watched it disappear over the over side of the lake. It returned shortly afterwards, circled the lake and then, instead of landing in the same tree, it decided it had had enough and lofted off high and far into the distance. It was a beautiful, of not fleeting, glimpse of it, but enough to count it for my records. Until I return, I am using Paul's shot of it from his previous trip.

The Male

The male is very easy to recognise and is found in Mainland Malaysia just over the border so it isn't a surprise to find it here. Check out the 'rusty' end of its abdomen... definitely a beast of a dragonfly and hope to get my own photos next trip!

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

235: Risiophlebia dohrni (Krüger, 1902)

           Number: 235 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Risiophlebia

Species: Risiophlebia dohrni / Potbellied Elf

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Shady Swampy Forest

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

Species easily confused with: Risiophlebia guentheri

Back in 2018, I saw the amazing Risioplebia guentheri in Chantaburi, thanks to Noppadon Makbun's earlier finding of it. And it was such an amazing and unique species. I couldn't get over how small it was, and it's arced and bulbous abdomen. I was so excited to see such an incredible species. Roll on seven years and, while at another heavily shaded swampy area in Narathiwat province, Noppadon shouted me over once more... he had found the other known species in the genus for Thailand.... Risioplebia dohrni, commonly known as the Potbellied Elf. I was so happy to see it but had forgotten just how small it was. Worse still, it preferred to sit really low down near the ground making photography very difficult. Noppadon has already seen this species so he went off in search of others leaving me to fire away. Once I returned I wasn't overly happy with the shot but it was just such a difficult angle. 

The Male

Check out that bulbous section of its abdomen followed by an amazing arc. Such a cool little species, but so small that it is difficult to find and photograph. 

234: Rhyothemis aterrima Selys, 1891

          Number: 234 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Rhyothemis

Species: Rhyothemis aterrima / Black Jewel Flutter

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest

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

Species easily confused with: Rhyothemis plutonia 

One species that had been reported from Thailand fairly recently but again from the deepest of deep south at Sirindhorn Peat Forest in Narathiwat, was Rhyothemis aterrima, commonly known as the Black Jewel Flutterer. It is well-known in Malaysia so it isn't that much of a surprise to be found here too. However, as with many species, this one also eluded myself and Noppadon Makbun. Frustrated, we gave up on the place and searched other areas in the locality for different species. On the last day in Narathiwat, we decided to take one last look at the place before heading to Yala and see if we could find it as the weather was much hotter and brighter than the previous visit. Opposite the entrance to Sirindhorn, there is a large open area with peat swamp. My brother, Paul, peering through his massive scope for birding saw something interesting... it was bloody R. aterrima but about 100 kilometres away! Maybe I am exaggerating a little but it was way too far out for my 180mm lens, let alone Noppadon's 100mm one. I switched up to 400mm and got a couple of very poor record shots, but at least we had now seen it! We couldn't understand how a few people had decent shots of it if it was so far out, but at the back my mind, one photo that had been taken of it was on wood... the boardwalk? Anyway, we decided to have one last scout around the boardwalks with fading embers of seeing it - and possibly see anything else. Amazingly, we saw another male on the first part of the peat forest but was really, really high up but kept on landing every 30-45 seconds or so. Sadly, this one was also way too high up. So we carried on and went to the second section. Here we saw one straightaway perched rather high on a branch but much lower. We got much better record shots but we were still a little unhappy with them. Finally, another male swooped down from somewhere and started doing the dance around the ponds but much lower, though faster. It then landed straight on the boardwalk... it stayed briefly and then took off... we were gutted. But then, 30-45 seconds later, it landed again on the boardwalk... and again... and again... we edged closer and closer to it as it was incredibly skittish but eventually we got into a decent position and fired off some nice shots as it perched on the bannister of the boardwalk. We couldn't have been happier and the shots really brings out the beautiful colours of this species... when in flight it just looks black.

The Male

From a distance, it just looks black. But on closer inspection (depending on the angle of the light), it's green, copper, reddish, black and even clear segments. It really is a truly stunning species and a fitting species for the last in Narathiwat ... until I return!

Another male OR...

Now, this is specimen I saw a few years back at the lower reaches of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum. It's about 20 hours' drive from where it is now know in Thailand (Narathiwat - see above). However, this could either be R. aterrima, extending its range massively north or it is something else. There were 2-3 of them at a lowlands pond surrounded by forest. I initially (without thinking) put it down as R. plutonia, but it is clearly not that species. Both Noppadon Makbun and Chee Yen Choong (Malaysian species expert) believe there is no reason for it not to be R. aterrima, which would be an amazing find! Any thoughts?

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...

232: Podolestes coomansi Lieftinck, 1940

         Number: 232 / Family: Argiolestidae / Genus: Podolestes

Species: Podolestes coomansi / Coomans Flatwing*

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat, Yala

Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest and Swampy ponds, Streams

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

Species easily confused with: Podolestes orientalis 

*Due to no common name, I decided to name it Coomans Flatwing, with 'Flatwing' being associated with Podolestes and it being named after Mr. L. Coomans de Ruiter of Manado (Celebes), in recognition of his significant assistance, field activity, and collection efforts. The Thai name translates as the Blue-spotted Flatwing. However, this name is already take in English with Podolestes orientalis, which also resides in Thailand.

While walking through natural peat swamp in Narathiwat outside of Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest searching for odes. It was initially very quiet for species and individuals were in low numbers. But one I did eventually bump into was an extremely skittish species Podolestes coomansi, commonly known as Coomans Flatwing. I was incredibly happy to see it... or rather Noppadon Makbun saw it first. I managed to get a few shots away, but it was very, very difficult and would fly away at the slightest movement. Over the course of the next few days in Narathiwat and Yala, the species would pop up now and then but in very low numbers. I managed to get a good shot of the male and a record shot of the female. I saw 2-3 females but they were even more skittish than the males!

The Male

The male is uniform dull brown but punctuated with sky blue stripes and spots along the abdomen and the thorax. It really is a stunning species and was noted by Noppadon that it was more brightly coloured than the ones spotted at the peat forest in Surat Thani.

The Female

The female is very similar to the male, but has a more prominent blue patch at the end of its abdomen and is far more skittish than the male. This is the best I could get on the trip.

231: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis Förster, 1903

        Number: 231 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis / Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk*

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

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

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum t. triangulare

*Name made up by me based on the translation of the two subspecies in Thailand now adding 'Northern' for Orthetrum triangulare triangulare and 'Southern' for O. triangulare malaccensis, based on the latter only being found in the very deep south of Thailand.

Another Orthetrum species -- or rather -- subspecies in this case that I was desperate to see was Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis, and the common name translated from the Thai name as the Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk. Orthetrum t. triangulare is a large and common species found pretty much throughout Thailand at slow-moving rivers, streams and trickles in well forested areas. However, as of yet the range isn't known to extend into to the very bottom provinces of Thailand (namely Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala). However, over the past decade more ode hunters have hit the very south -- including myself back in 2018 -- aiming to find new species for the country. Oddly, O. triangulare malaccensis had already been recorded in Yala and I saw it, albeit fleetingly, fly straight past me at a small stream in Narathiwat. This trip in August, 2025 seemed to be going the same way in the fact that none showed for the first 8-9 days and it was becoming a little frustrating. Amazingly, however, on a day searching a new area in Yala, noticed a small pond created by seepage which was surrounded by foliage and tall trees. It was too early to search then as it was morning and Noppadon Makbun and I decided that it would have been better to leave that place until after we had visited the stream we intended to find first. On the way back, we were amazed not only to find 3-4 idividuals of O. triangulare malaccensis, but we also saw a further two new species for my records in Orthetrum schneideri and the incredibly impressive Indaeschna grubaueri, all three of which I was desperate to see but had almost given up the ghost on them. That said, O, t. malaccensis was incredibly skittish and took a good which to photograph and I am happy with the results, though sadly, I didn't get to see the female... until next time!

The Male

Though very similar to the common species, Orthetrum t. triangulare, there are a number of key differences. One being the abdomen is possibly less robust; secondly, the blueish patch is noticeably shorter; and finally, as mentioned, location. It also seems that this subspecies has some greyish-blue pruinescence to the thorax.

230: Orthetrum schneideri Förster, 1903

       Number: 230 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum schneideri  / Schneider's Skimmer

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

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

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

One species I really wanted to see but it seemed to elude both Noppadon Makun and I, eventually showed at a small pond once he had already given up on it. Better still, at this tiny pond, we also saw. Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis and Indaeschna grubaueri. I was over the moon to find three new species for my records and one small place! Small forested ponds were hard to find here, but if you found one they were often full of ode treasures! In the end, we saw 4-5 males of Orthetrum schneideri, also known as Schneider's Skimmer and I did get a fleeting glimpse of the female, which just looked uniform yellow-brown but it was spooked by attacks from the males. In the end, I got a couple of good photos that I was happy with as it was an incredibly skittish species! 

The Male

Though very similar to O pruinosum, location is key to separating these easily. If you see a species like this in the bottom three provinces of Thailand, then it should be this species. All other provinces are the common species found everywhere else. The other way to split the two is the distinct neat change from powder blue on the abdomen to pastel red.

This male was perching over the dark swampy pond.

229: Orchithemis pruinans (Selys, 1878)

      Number: 229 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orchithemis

Species: Orchithemis pruinans  / Blue Sentinal

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Forest Peat Swamp

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

Species easily confused with: Orchithemis pulcherrima

Another species I expected to see at Sirindhorn Peat Swamp was Orchithemis pruinans, and it didn't disappoint... eventually! For the first part of the morning, it didn't show but then one eventually turned up and later in the day, a few more appeared, through no females. In all, there were around five  or six males spotted. Definitely not a common species, as it is only known form this location in Thailand as far as I am aware. Also known as the Blue Sentinal, it is very similar to the black form of its cousin, O. pulcherrima, though this species has a much slimmer abdomen. 

The Male

From a distance, it looks uniform black with a single white band, but when you photograph it and look closely, it has several colours and one being the pruinescence on its thorax, possibly where 'Blue' in the common name comes from. He is a rather stunning chap and not too difficult to approach once the day heats up.

228: Nesoxenia lineata (Selys, 1868)

      Number: 228 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Nesoxenia

Species: Nesoxenia lineata  / Striped Grenadier

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Lowlands Shaded Swampy Area

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

Species easily confused with: Agrionoptera insignis, Lathrecista asiatica

This was one of the absolute highlights of the trip to the south in August, 2025 with Noppadon Makbun, as well as my brother Paul and his missus, Suu. Oddly, it was a species we has discussed before the trip and wondered if we had a chance of seeing it. And on about the 3rd day, we did just that! At a heavily shaded swampy area that was partly dried out at one end but deep at the other, we saw a few common species and some rarer ones but we had seen already. Then came the shout... Dennis! lineata! It was the best thing ever, though making it over was very tough wading knee-deep through deep mud and water. But eventually, there it was... really low down on a twig in the gloom but it was unmistakable! Nesoxenia lineata, also known as the Striped Grenadier. I felt like I was going to explode with excitement. We found it! After a million photos, we moved on. One male. Amazing. But on the last day before we left Narathiwat, we decided to head there once more, but this time earlier in the morning. After a quick look along the river, we reached the entrance to the swamp (found by Paul first - thanks, r kid!). And amazingly, there were so many more species flying around... including about 20 males of N. lineata, though this time harder to get near. It was amazing! And it works out to be only the second recording of this species in Thailand, so not bad, eh? Better still, on the way back we briefly saw a female... sadly, after one shot, it was gone, but enough for a record shot until next time!

The Male
It is such a handsome little fellow with his greenish thorax with blue pruinescence  and red and black abdomen. 

The Female

The female looks very much like female Lathrecista asiatica but there are a few differences (broader black likes on the abdomen and different thoracic markings). This looks like an old female and sadly we only saw it for a few seconds and was facing directly into the light.

227: Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, 1842

     Number: 227 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Nannophya

Species: Nannophya pygmaea  / Scarlet Pygmy

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

Habitat: Open Peat Swamp

In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Species easily confused with: N/A

An absolute lifer for me... one I thought I had seen in Chaiyaphum (but it's a different species) followed by seeing it again in Chantaburi, again probably the same as above. Though that is good news in itself, I still hadn't seen my dream species and one that is one of the smallest in the world! I am, of course, talking about Nannophya pygmaea, commonly known as the Scarlet Pygmy amongst several other common names. And, after seeing it at the Peat Swamp in Narathiwat, I was happy but the shots were poor as it was very low down and you couldn't get to them because of the boardwalk. Finally, we gave up on the idea but we managed to spot them again a few days later... this time we were still at peak swamp but at ground level! And there were several males spotted and a solitary teneral female. We also found a few more males at the entrance to the peat swamp too on the last day there. 

The Male

Hands down possibly my favourite species in the world. When you see it you are so shocked at it's tiny size, but the fully matured males are an striking black and red colour, even with red and black eyes and a very prominent amber wing base. This species really was the holy grail for me! You can see why.

The 'Young' Male

The young male is similar to the adult male but yellowish in colour. It will become bright red eventually.

The 'Teneral' Female

I was fortunate enough to spot a female (well Noppadon saw it first), but it was only a teneral specimen (newly emerged). It was overhanging a pond and was at an awkward angle. This was the best I could get. And there were no other females spotted. Early or late in the season maybe?

226: Macromia callisto Laidlaw, 1922

    Number: 226 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Macromia

Species: Macromia callisto  / Beautiful River Cruiser*

Province(s) sighted: Songkhla

Habitat: Lowland Forested Shallow Rivers

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

Species easily confused with: All Macromia species

*Name made up by me based on 'River Cruisers' being the given name for Macromia species and 'callisto' meaning 'most beautiful'.

One species both Noppadon and I believed we saw a couple of times on the trip to the deep south was Macromia callisto, a species I have named the Beautiful River Cruiser. However, without solid photos, it was impossible to tell for sure. Then, on the last day at San Kala Khiri National Park in Songkhla, Noppadon managed to net a female. Oddly, while he was catching that I saw a male Macromia species whizzing past me along the edge of the river at speed, but I couldn't place it (I am not confident with this family at the best of times). Though I am poor at identifying females of Macromia species, Noppadon is confident that this, indeed, Macromia callisto, a species he has seen before. Sadly, no male, but at least it's another species for my records. I don't think that it is very rare, just incredibly difficult to correctly ID without capturing them. With thanks to Noppadon for catching this beautiful specimen and allowing me to photograph it for a first close up of this species.

The Female

A typically robust Macromia female, identifiable through the markings on the abdomen.