235: Sundacypha petiolata (Selys, 1859)

           Number: 235 / 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.

223: Libellago stigmatizans (Selys, 1859)

   Number: 223 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Libellago

Species: Libellago stigmatizans  / Orange-faced Gem

Province(s) sighted: Songkhla

Habitat: Lowland Forested and Shaded Streams

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

Species easily confused with: N/A

Well, I DID NOT expect to see this species possibly ever as it is very rare in Thailand and a southern species, so the chances were very low. But, Noppadon Makbun pulled out all the stops as he had seen this species once before at San Kala Khiri National Park which is just inside Songkhla province. There is a wide but shallow stream that runs through the park where I saw Libellago aurantiaca for the first time too. But along a small and heavily shaded stream, Noppadon was sure this is where he saw it... we walked it for a long time and eventually, out of nowhere a solidary male Libellago stigmatizans appeared turned up. Known as the Orange-faced Gem, it was absolutely stunning, just sitting on twigs, some of which were floating along. We both managed to get some OK shots of it, but eventually the light faded. The next day, we would another stretch of the stream and we quickly found one, then another, then another... three males appeared at a small opening. Annoyingly, as there there three of them, they were constantly battling for the best twig on the stream. May a female was about to appear, though we'll never know. Anyway, we managed to get great photos this time round though I did actually just lie down in the stream much to Noppadon's amusement... well worth it though! Many thanks to Noppadon for leading me to it!!!

The Male

Simply beautiful with its greenish blue thorax and orange to black abdomen with his wonderful orange face and black with a purplish sheen on the wing tips. Is there a more handsome species?

222: Libellago hyalina (Selys, 1859)

  Number: 222 / 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.

221: Libellago aurantiaca (Selys, 1859)

 Number: 221 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Libellago

Species: Libellago aurantiaca / Fiery Gem
Habitat: Lowland Forested Streams and Rivers
Province(s) sighted: Songkhla
In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: N/A

One genus I absolutely adore is Libellago, though I had actually only seen one of the four known Thai species from the genus... until I went to the deep south and I saw all four on one trip! I was amazed to see them. The last one I saw was the very bright and cool-looking Libellago aurantiaca, commonly known as the Fiery Gem. It is a very small but wonderful and bright species with a glowing orange abdomen. Thankfully spotted by Noppadon Makbun, I had the chance to photograph the male. We saw two to three males along a stretch of forested shallow river at San Kala Khiri National Park in Songkhla province. I was so happy to see it, though I didn't see a female.

The Male

It boasts very bright orange abdomen and is simply stunning, though tough to photograph as he was so low down at water level... backbreaking but worth it!

151: Rhinocypha arguta (Hämäläinen & Divasiri, 1997)

Number: 151

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus:  Rhinocypha

Species:  Rhinocypha arguta

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกท้องส้ม, แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกสั้นขีดคู่

Habitat: Montane streams (in bright areas)

Province(s) sighted: Phu Kradueng National Park (Loei)

Sightings (by me): 6 males, 1 female

In flight (that I have seen): October

Species easily confused with: None

A beautiful and rare montane damselfly I set out to see, almost evaded me once more. Then, third time lucky and at the exact location where Noppadon Makbun led me (when I visited last time), I saw a solitary male Rhinocypha arguta basking in glorious sunshine. Unfortunately, he wasn't reading the script as he simply moved from rock to rock as I tried to position myself to get a good photo. I managed to get a couple of record shots, but nothing spectacular. On the second day, I spotted a further 5 males along the stream at various points - all in bright sunspots. Though difficult to get anywhere near, I eventually got some half-decent shots. 

According to the IUCN website [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/174523/0] website, it states about R. arguta: "It is widely found in northern Thailand (in the Phu Kradung mountains (National Park), Loei Province, and Pee Pan Nam mountain range (Jae Sawn National Park)". It is also found at two sites in Vietnam. The female is yet to be described.

The male

The male is easily recognised as it is the only species in its genus to have orange colouration. 

This specimen moved away from the river and sat in the nearby bushes - getting as much out of the sun as possible. 

Unfortunately, though I managed to spot a solitary female, she flew straight up into a tree and I could see her peering dow at me from a safe height. Her blue eyes really stood out, but she was out of reach of my camera. Until the next time ... 

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for leading me to this beautiful creature.

90. Heliocypha perforata limbata (Selys, 1879)

No: 90 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Heliocypha

Name: Heliocypha perforata limbata / Common Blue Jewel

Habitat: Forested Streams (Uplands & Lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: Aristocypha fenestrella, Aristocypha iridea, Heliocypha biforata

The third damselfly I have added to my blog from the Rhinocypha genus is Heliocypha perforata limbata. It's supposed to be uncommon but can be quite common at isolated locations. It is most common at Khao Yai, where I have seen many specimens. 

The Male

The male easy is to identify with its distinct blue thoracic marks. The prothorax has a pink/purple mark and the abdomen is black with blue marks on each segment. The caudal appendages are black. The wings are hyaline with black/pearlescent tips.

Mr. Moody...

This male flapped his wings in anger every time a male got anywhere near to HIS log. On occasion, he would also raise the end of his abdomen to look as big as possible. I wonder, through evolution, if they'll ever make weapons to fend off their enemies ... knives made out of grass or whatever?

In the hand...

This gives an idea of size... and shows just how beautiful this species really is.

The female

The female is difficult to differentiate with other females of the same genus, but is often seen close to the male making life - for novices like me - easier. Note the white of the wing tips.

This female is ovipositing onto a rotten log. 

Young female

This female is the same as the adult female, but yellow in colour and doesn't have the white to the tips.

In the hand...

A young female in the hand.

Oviposition ...

Here an ovipositing female is closely guarded by a male.

Mirror image...

A pair of females ovipositing.

... and then there were ten

Amazingly, for a very short time I managed to capture 8 females ovipositing at the same time, with 2 males patrolling over the top of them. Can you spot them all? Click on the image to see it up in size.

I have only spotted this species in Petchabun, Chiang Mai, Khao Yai NP, and Chantaburi. I have a few other photos of the females ovipositing. Email me if you would like to see them.

89. Heliocypha biforata biforata (Selys, 1859)

No: 89 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Heliocypha

Name: Heliocypha b. biforata / Black-tipped Jewel* 

Habitat: Forested streams (uplands & lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Very common

Easily confused with: Aristocypha fenestrella, Aristocypha iridea, Heliocypha perforata limbata

*As there is no common name, I have adapted the Thai name 'Black-tipped' and at least one species in the genus Heliocypha, has ben given the name 'Jewel', giving Black-tipped Jewel.

A lovely little damselfly that I see often at streams and rivers, is Heliocypha biforata, which I have given the common name Black-tipped Jewel. I used to really struggle to get close to it to take good photos, but the last trip I went on to Chantaburi, I managed to get some decent photos of the male. They love to sit on the rocks in the hot afternoon sun right in the middle of the river.

The Male

The male is easy to identify because of its colours/markings on the thorax and abdomen and the black tip on the wings which gives it its name.

The 'Young' Male

This young male really highlights the vivid blue/pink markings on its wings and looks far more impressive than the mature males. You will find this stage of damselfly away from the water, often with females, rather than down at the stream.

The 'Teneral' Male

Though it has most of the patternation, it has almost no colouration at the moment. It eve has whitish eyes.

The Female

The female is also difficult to get close to, and takes a lot of stealthy movement. The mature female has blue markings like this...

The 'Young' Female

This is a young female which will eventually turn more blue like the specimen above.

The 'Teneral' Female

Like with the newly emerged male, this female doesn't yet have any colour.

Close-up of the young female

Heliocypha b. biforata is a common and widespread species and can be seen all year round at rivers and streams.