247: Macrogomphus albardae Selys, 1878

  Number: 247 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Macrogomphus

Species: Macrogomphus albardae / Indochinese Giant Tiger*

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum

Habitat: Forested Streams and Rivers

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

Species easily confused with: All Macrogomphus Species

*As this species has no common name, I have used the Thai name 'Indochinese' and the genus I erected for the genus 'Giant Tigers', based on the Thai name, so the Indochinese Giant Tiger.

This species I originally had as Macrogomphus matsukii, though it has been renamed as Macrogomphus albardae. I still cannot differentiate between the two species, though it may simply come down to range. From what I can tell, M. albardae prefers uplands forested rivers and streams, whereas M. matsukii favours more open lowland and large rivers. Other than that, it is a typical looking species.

The Female

I saw this female perching early morning at the large river that flows through Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum. Though it is a beast of a dragonfly, it is also quite skittish.

Here is another female I saw in Bueng Khan low down under a bridge.

(More images to add soon).