216: Amphicnemis gracilis Krüger, 1898

 Number: 216 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Amphicnemmis
Species: Amphicnemis gracilis / Will-o-wisp / แมลงปอเข็มพรุท้องยาว  
Habitat: Peat Swamp Forest
Province(s) seen (by me): Narathiwat
In flight: August / Sightings (by me): Rare (Two males, 1 female)
Species easily confused with: N/A

Finally, I got to see a species I had always wanted to see. However, known primarily from peat swamps I had never had the opportunity to see it... until August 2025. Searching in the main area of Sirindhorn Peat Swamp in Narathiwat with Noppadon Makbun on the first day we arrived, we didn't see it, though knew it was there: somewhere. Then, while searching areas outside the protected area, though still very much peat swamp, Noppadon shouted me over... and there it was in all its glory: one small male Amphicnemis gracilis a.k.a. Will-o-wisp... It was hiding in the gloom and almost impossible to see. I spent an age trying to get decent photos of it and eventually got one half-decent shot that I was happy with as it was so low down in gloom and I had earlier bust my knee! As I was firing away using all my skills, Noppadon shouted me again as he saw a female (red form). As he did so, I noticed a second male but as I waded towards Noppadon, the female flew high up and wasn't seen again. Still, at least I have seen in now and will definitely search for it again in the near future.

The Male

Amphicnemis gracilis, male perching in deep gloom... very happy to get this photo and was surprised how small it was

210: Mortonagrion falcatum Lieftinck, 1934

Number: 210 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Mortonagrion

Species: Mortonagrion falactum / Hooked Midget

Habitat: Open Paddy Fields

Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi

Sightings (by me): Abundant at two locations

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: Mortonagrion aborense

Mortonagrion aborense is a fairly common species that can be found around the country and is often found in swampy areas, grassy ponds and lakes on the edge of forest and also deep under the protection of foliage. So... the same should be said for Mortonagrion falactum, right? Well, it couldn't be further from the truth! We were led by a Dragonflies of Thailand Facebook group member (sorry, I don't know the name but thank you sooo much) to all I can describe as being a regular farmer's paddy field in the middle of nowhere. It was a place you would most certainly drive straight past and not give it a second's thought. Not only that, one we got our eye in (the Facebook team) and we realised just how small it was, it was easy to spot them everywhere. It was also abundant in another farmer's field not too far away, which suggests any field that is similar in the location could well have many of them. So, once found and in fairly decent light (though was heavily cloudy with a storm brewing in the distance) getting photos shouldn't be a problem, right? Well, you couldn't be further from the truth. Being so small and there was a constant breeze making photography really tough. It was also quite skittish and we all had to wade through the rice fields to follow them. I managed to get a few decent photos in the end (as did everyone). However, I think we all felt a little dizzy in the end. 

The Male

Tiny, but beautiful. A species I didn't think I would ever get to see. The most distinctive feature is its blue patch on the abdomen. The appendages are also distinctive which probably give it its name.

The Female

The female is a lot duller in comparison, though there orange-brown thorax was pretty easy to pick out in the long rice fields. On closer inspection (though tough to see), it has slim blue stripes along the abdomen. There is also a feint patch on the abdomen like the male (though no way near as strong). 

 The 'Teneral' Female

I was also lucky enough to spot a teneral female (Noppadon saw teneral male but I missed it).

189: Archibasis viola Lieftinck, 1948

Number: 189  / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Archibasis

Species: Archibasis viola / Violet Sprite  

Habitat: Forested and Shaded Ponds and Slow-moving Streams  

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchatani

Sightings (by me): Uncommon (females rare) 

In flight (that I have seen): July-August   

Species easily confused with: Archibasis oscillans 

A few weeks back, a birder called Andrew Pierce I knew, decided to take a trip to Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, in Chaiyaphum, on a dragon trip. He saw several of the rare gems that haunt PK but was light on one or two. However, he also saw another species that he couldn't work out what it was and posted on Facebook (Dragonflies of Thailand). The majority of feedback suggested it was Archibasis sp. but the lighting and angle of the shot made it difficult to be sure which species. When I saw the photo I was amazed and, in all honesty, it kick-started my dragonfly season. Not that I hadn't wanted to get out there, but I have been so busy working and the weather has been awful so it has been all too easy to kind of turn a blind eye to the hunt. Anyway, he asked if I wanted to return and so we did the following Saturday, along with my brother, Paul. I have been to almost every ditch, pond, stream and lake there... but I had never come across Archibasis. We eventually landed on the small heavily tree-lined and dull-looking pond that was situated very close to a stream. Amazingly, it was already there. There were 2-3 males but were extremely skittish at first. As they settled, I managed to get in a few decent shots and Andy also improved on his own shots. It was clear that it was Archibasis viola, commonly known as the Violet Sprite.

Since then, I have recorded this species in a number of places from Ubon Ratchathani right down to Narathiwat, though it certainly isn't common.

The Male

Any ideas why it is nicknamed the Violet Sprite? Very obvious colour but usually hides away in the gloom making it hard to see. 

 

Another male I spotted at Ubon Ratchathani. This one shows off the pruinescence at the lower parts of the thorax.

I have 'seen' a female but it was stupidly skittish and no chance. For the record, I would just like to thank Andy Pierce for guiding me to this species as it would probably have taken me many more trips before I fell upon it (if ever). Thanks, matey!

185: Aciagrion occidentale Laidlaw, 1919

Number: 185 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Aciagrion   

Species: Aciagrion occidentale / Green-striped Slender Dartlet  

Habitat: Well-vegetated Ponds   

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum

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

Species easily confused with: All Aciagrion species

Tiny, blue and all look the same! Talk to any dragonfly lover about Aciagrion and they instantly wince. It is an incredibly difficult and confusing genus that needs to be resolved - though anyone who dares to do it is a brave individual indeed. There are several known species in Thailand, though one or two of them could have been misidentified (possibly even by the original authors). That said, it seems that there are possibly several more out there that are yet to be described. One of which, I may have spotted last week. It is an Aciagrion species that seems to fall between A. hisopa and A. borneense with a sprinkling of A. pallidum thrown in for good measure. Superficially, it looks like A. borneense. However, the striking difference is the solid blue patch on the abdomen (save a tiny "v" nick) and the appendages are white. The colouration of the rest of the male seems to match that of A. borneense. 

Since posting this, and after a lot of hard work by a number of ode experts, it seems that there is a little light at the end of the Aciagrion tunnel of mess. Most species in Thailand, at least, can now be identified through different characteristics. And it turns out that this is, indeed Aciagrion occidentale. Commonly known as the Green-striped Slender Dartlet. I thought I had seen this on numerous occasions but no. However, this one I saw in October at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum is correct. Yaay! I am very happy indeed. Furthermore, looking at iNat, someone has found it in Khon Kaen (where I live), so I will be looking for the female there this September onwards - it's a late season specialist.

The Male

Looks similar to all male Aciagrion species. However, the tiny 'V' nick is the giveaway, along with the white appendages. The nick or groove is variable and can be much larger.

Here is another I found, I think...

183: Ceriagrion pallidum Fraser, 1933

Number: 183 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Ceriagrion   
Species: Ceriagrion pallidum / Pale Marsh Dart*   
Habitat: Forested Ponds  
Province(s) sighted: Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum
Sightings (by me): Rare 
In flight (that I have seen): July - September    
Species easily confused with: Ceriagrion fallax; Ceriagrion indochinense

*As there is no common name, I have used 'pallid' from the species name and given the genus the name 'Marsh Dart'.

A species I had been looking for at Phu Khieo WS for two years, has at last made an appearance. However, maybe I have seen it before, but simply overlooked it. At first glance it looks a lot like a young male C. indochinense or a young C. fallax (though I haven't yet seen this species at this location). However, luckily for me, it was actually the former species that helped me to ID it. Thanks to help and information from Noppadon Makbun, I knew it was similar to C. fallax but much paler. Then, yesterday, two male C. indochinense harried a slimmer much paler specimen into the reeds and it just looked different. I wasn't sure but following closer inspection and a few photos, it was in the bag: Ceriagrion pallidum was mine. It is exactly as the description and alongside C. indochinense, it is fairly easy to separate. Fortunately, I even managed to spot other males at different ponds and several females even made an appearance. Better still, this species is fairly easy to approach and not skittish like similar species in the genus. Now I just need to find C. nigroflavum (if it is actually now present in Thailand) to complete the "set" of known Ceriagrion species in Thailand, though there are more I am sure.

I would just like to add that I believe this to be more common and should be at different locations, though it is most definitely easy to overlook. Next time you see a pale specimen, don't simply pass it off as an immature C. indochinense or C. fallax. Take a closer look and you never know. 

The Male

As you can see, it is similar to other yellow species in the genus but is a little more pale as with the common name I gave, the Pale Marsh Dart. It also has a blacked tip to the abdomen, but like the rest of it, it looks washed out. Another feature are the small dots on the thorax of both the male and the female.

The 'Teneral' Male

Here is a freshly emerged male, which I actually saw at the start of July, though I couldn't confirm it was correct until I found mature males. That said, it isn't really that different from the mature males, just even paler.

That said, here is another newly emerged male I saw at Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen, which I dismissed as a young C. indocchinense for about a year. 

The Female
This female looks like a typical Ceriagrion female. However, these colours, though subtle, are quite unique for the genus. It also has very pale olive-coloured eyes. Though it still has those little specks/dots on the thorax.

The 'Young' Female

Now, I could be wrong. This could be the older female than the one above. I am not sure. However, the abdomen on this one is quite pale and the thorax is greenish. Any guesses?

180: Ceriagrion malaisei Schmidt, 1964

Number: 180 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Ceriagrion     

Species: Ceriagrion malaisei / Slender Orange Marsh Dart*   
Habitat: Lowland Forest Streams
Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum
Sightings (by me): Rare 
In flight (that I have seen): March    
Species easily confused with: Ceriagrion sp.; Ceriagrion chaoi

*As there is no common name, I have used 'Slender Orange' from the Thai name and given the genus the name 'Marsh Dart', creating the Slender Orange Marsh Dart.

Thanks to Tom Kompier, I am now able to confidently say that I have definitely seen Ceriagrion malaisei. This means that my earlier sighting back in 2011 must now been downgraded to Ceriagrion sp. Although it is very similar, it is, in fact, as different species. C. malaisei has a longer abdomen than the Ceriagrion sp. and there are several differences between this one and C. chaoi. When I visited Ph Ing Waterfall in Chaiyaphum, I managed to spot on one male hiding deep in the grasses. However, it was a blisteringly hot day and was in the middle of a drought. Therefore, I expect t see many more when I return. Likewise, it means I will have to return to a pond (which I will struggle to find) about 5 hours away to get myself a specimen of the Ceriagrion sp. as it is most likely a species yet to be described. What a shame hehe.

The Male

As you can see, the length of the abdomen is noticeably long. Likewise, it seems that the abdomen is slightly two-tone orange. Going back, I remember there being a number of younger specimens that I thought were C. olivacium as they were a rusty reddish colour dorsally on the top. It appears that tey are actually juvenile males. I must return one day. 

Not the best shot in the world, but enough for a positive ID.

Once again, many thanks to Tom Kompier for the ID.

152: Amphiallagma parvum (Selys, 1876)

Number: 152 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Amphiallagma

Species:  Amphiallagma parvum / Little Blue

Habitat: Forestet Ponds

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Petchabun, Nakhon Ratchasima

Sightings (by me): Uncommon

In flight (that I have seen): June - December

Species easily confused with: N/A

Looking through my recent photos and 'species list' for Nam Nao NP - during my year-long project - and I was wondering why I hadn't spotted Amphiallagma parvum this year (I spotted two males back in  October 2010). I went to look at my photos of the male on this blog and then realised I hadn't even added the species. I can't believe it. I had missed a species - which, of course, was great news for me. Since then, I have seen this species at a number of locations and even though it is tiny, it always gives me a big smile. The male is fairly easy to spot if you are in the right place, but the female is much rarer to find.

The Male

The male is tiny in size, but is instantly recogniseable due to its vivid blue colour and black stripes. It really stands out among the tall reeds and grasses.

The Female

Similar to the male, but more robust and somewhat paler blue, I rarely encounter the female.

Another female...

The Tandem

Here is a tandem I managed to see at Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen. Sadly, since I took this photo, the pond has been 'improved' by the rangers and it has dries out in the dry season and has putrified water during the rainy season. I very much doubt it will still be there and, as water is so scarce in this national park, I have my doubts that the species remains.

The Copula

Here is another pair from the same location as above, but in a wheel.

144: Ceriagrion calamineum (Lieftinck, 1951)

Number: 144 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Ceriagrion

Species: Ceriagrion calamineum /  Turmeric-yellow Marsh Dart*

Habitat: Open, Ponds, Usually Surrounded by Tree Cover
Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Ratchasima, Bueng Khan

In flight: July-August / Sightings (by me): Uncommon

Species easily confused with: Many Ceriagrion Species

I know colour isn't a good way to identify odonata. I also know that identifying Ceriagrion can really difficult with some species. However, on a recent trip to Khao Yai I spotted a damselfly that just seemed different to all the others. The colours were similar (but slightly more orange) to that of C. indochinense. However, it's size eliminated C. indochinense straight away (the latter is larger, in my experience anyway). Anyway, it turns out that it is a new species (well, most probably), known as Ceriagrion calamineum. Since then, I have only managed to spot a solitary male in a large partially flooded open field on the edge of forest in Bueng Khan. sadly, I am yet to see the female.

The Male

The male is a kind of 'burnt orange' or as suggested in the Thai name, the colour of turneric. It also has pale green eyes. 

The first time I saw the species... there were many at Khao Yai (though not seen then there since)

In the hand... 

This gives an idea of its size.

Here, I placed him against my lighter for a better idea of size (I will get round to measuring that exact size one day).

I didn't get to see any females, but the males were commonplace at one location in Khao Yai NP.

Once again, many thanks to Noppadon Makbun and Oleg Kosterin for the ID (both are pretty sure it's the correct ID)

133: Aciagrion hisopa (Selys, 1876)

Number: 133 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Aciagrion

Species: Aciagrion hisopa / Blue Slim

Habitat: Exposed but Weedy, Natural Uplands Ponds 
Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Nakhorn Ratchasima, Loei, Petchabun, Phitsanulok (poss. more)
Sightings (by me): Locally common
In flight: April-August

One genus that always confuses me is Aciagrion. Many are almost identical species, different populations and possibly subspecies that it is hard to work out what is what. However, more recently, a number of species were separated based on key identification factors. Fantastic news for all concerned... until you look again at Aciagrion hisopa. Going back through my records, it looks like there are at least two or three different forms, which could possibly end up being sub-species or even different species (cue brain explosion). For now, I am going to lump them together, but try to show the differences. Technically, I should throw the lot onto the hisopa-complex and leave it at that but I am excited to learn!

Male 'A'

T male has a very slim ocular stripe and the ocular spots are large. Also S8-10 are solid blue. 

Here, it gives you an idea of size... and the length of my horrible fingernails!

Male 'B'

As this has white appendages it should be A. hisopa. However, where the occular spots are large on the above male, they are very small (almost a line) on this specimen. This one is far more like the 'true' form.

Female 'A'

The female is very similar to the male, though the eyes were a more vivid green. This specimen was tucked away deep in the bushes.

Young Female 'A'

Very similar to the adult, but is more of a grey colour and it has dorsal markings on S8-9, which disappear with time.

Copula 'A' 

Here, in the 'wheel' position.

I saw 3-4 copula that day, but they flew away at the slightest movement. It took me a long time to get these photos. Here, the female is ovipositing onto rotting vegetation.

Here is an ovipositing pair from Phu Khieo WS, which look exactly the same.

Female 'B'

Here is another female which I think is the 'true' form. You can clearly see that the ocular spots are far narrower. I am not sure if there is any variation between same species (i.e. different populations). 

Female 'C'

Like Female 'A', this one from Khao Yai National park, has large ocular spots and also has a blue patch part way along the abdomen like you see sometimes with Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola. Furthermore, this superficially looks more ilke A. pallidum. 

I will add more photos (of the males too), when I find them - they are all over my hard drive from years of neglect!

Teneral Female 'A'

Finally, a teneral female with large occular spots from Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, where hundreds had emerged and all looked the same.