206: Philoganga loringae Fraser, 1927

Number: 206
Family: Philogangidae

Genus: Philoganga

Species: Philoganga loringae 

Common name(s): N/A

Synonym(s): N/A 

Habitat: Small forested stream

Province(s) sighted: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, (Chaiyaphum)

Sightings (by me): 1 male

In flight (that I have seen): May   

Species easily confused with: Philoganga montana

After years of searching during March and April at PK, I had mentally given up on seeing Philoganga loringae. I know it is on the wing during this time and it had also been recorded at Phu Khieo in March, though I am not sure how many years back we are talking. I never managed to see it and thought that it may not actually be there anymore. However, during a recent trip right at the end of May, I was standing on a bridge looking down at a small, narrow stream with Adrian Plant and my brother, Paul, and pondering whether or not to investigate it. Suddenly, I spotted a large damselfly in the distance at eye level perched on a twig that was high up above the stream. Armed only with my 180mm macro lens getting a photo would have been an impossibility -- well, I actually tried and I am too embarrassed to show the shots. However, with my brother around, he is always set up for birds with his 100-400mm lens. With this setup, it was possible to get in a few shots, though they are only record shots for now. That said, I was clicking my heels all the way home with this sighting. Once I had a record shot in the bag, I searched the stream below but didn't manage to spot a single specimen, which was made worse by the fact that the male was still perched high above my head (maybe I need to learn female damselfly mating sounds if there were ever such a thing haha).

I had actually seen and photographed Philoganga montana a few hundred kilometres north of Kanchanaburi a few years back in March and, though still rare, P. loringae seems to be a little more common but had evaded my lens until now. So, roll on next year when I can spend more time searching for this stunning damselfly... but will go in March/April again now I know where it is and there may be a few others to be seen.

The male
Only record shots, but good enough for an ID. One of the largest damsels in Thailand.

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.

111: Philoganga montana (Hagen in Selys, 1859)

Number: 111

Family: Philogangidae

Genus: Philoganga

Species: Philoganga montana
Common name(s): N/A
Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มตาปีกยาวภูเขา 

Habitat: Heavily forested upland streams
Province(s) sighted: Lamklong Ngu NP (Kanchanaburi).
Sightings (by me): Rare
In flight (that I have seen): March (longer, I'm sure)

My first ever species from the Lestoideidae family! There are two species of Philoganga, one being Philoganga loringae and the second being Philoganga montana, which is the one I have found. I think it's a rare species, and was identified by Noppadon Makbun, once again! Looking through the Internet, there is little information about this species and it has only been seen at a tiny number of places in Thailand, so I am lucky to find it!

When I saw this specimen, I approached it with extreme caution not wanting to frighten it away before I photographed it (I had to clamber up an old log to get near to it and nearly fell into the stream on several occasions) I snapped away and then left it alone. When I returned, it was in the exact same place. I took more photos and then was even able to catch her easily with my hand. When I released her she flew onto my foot and then crawled onto my hand where she seemed happy enough. Eventually she flew high up into the trees and back to safety.

The female

This has to be the biggest damselfly I have seen. About the same size as Megalestes kurahashii (see earlier post), but was really robust, with an extremely stout abdomen and enormous end segments. It was bigger than many dragonflies I have photographed.

Here, she is in her natural position, amongst bamboo above the stream.

Once I released her she landed on a rotting log.

With the eye colour, maybe she is still young.

Here, she was happy to rest on my hand and gives a good idea of size.

She then flew onto my trusty walking shoes.

A close-up shot of her enormous appendages.

I will return to Lamklong Ngu National Park, as it is such a wonderful place and I hope to spot her other half!