197. Prodasineura sp.

Number: 197  

Family: Platycnemididae

Genus: Prodasineura

Species: Prodasineura sp.

Common name(s): 

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Forested sandy-bottomed stream  

Province(s) sighted: Lower reaches of Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary (Narathiwat)

Sightings (by me): Locally common 

In flight (that I have seen): April   

Species easily confused with: Prodasineura autumnalis, prodasineura verticalis

One species that I expected to see at Hala-Bala did not disappoint, although it took a little bit of searching to find it. Instead of being at the wildlife sanctuary, it was fairly abundant at a couple of the more open and sandy-bottomed streams nearer the base of Bala. Prodasineura sp. (whichever species it is), is very similar in every aspect to P. autumnulis and P. verticalis and the genus needs revision. Like most species in the genus, it likes to hang low down near the stream's edges and is difficult to photograph. These were the best I could get in blazing sunshine, as my neck was slowly turning into the appearance of a gingerbread biscuit.

The male

42. Prodasineura verticalis (Selys, 1860)

Number: 42

Family: Platycnemididae

Genus:  Prodasineura

Species:  Prodasineura verticalis

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มหางเข็มส้ม

Habitat: Forested upland streams
Province(s) sighted: Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon; Koh Chang environs (Trat); Lamklong Ngu NP (Kanchanaburi).

Sightings (by me): Uncommon (most common in Chiang Mai)
In flight (that I have seen): March-May (though probably much longer)

When I went to Chiang Mai back in March-May 2010, I noticed a species of Prodasineura that I instantly fell in love with. Prodasineura verticalis. Since I saw this species for the first time, Noppadon Makbun told me that there are 3 distinct forms of this species; "Northern", "Eastern" and "Western" forms, which I have been lucky enough to spot and photograph. Without Noppadon mentioning this, I would have over-looked the other forms. If you compare the three males, you can see significant differences. Noppadon isn't sure which is the true form of the species. It's a fantastic looking species and is the 3rd Prodasineura damselfly I have added to my blog.

The "Northern" male

The male has wonderful red, black and orange stripes on the thorax and the abdomen is completely black except for the caudal appendages which are a greyish colour. This specimen I saw in Chiang Mai (25/03/2010).

The "Eastern" male

The thoracic dorsal markings are much broader than the "Northern" specimen. Other markings are slightly different too. Caudal appendages are also black, not greyish (as above). This specimen I saw at a small river, Koh Chang (13/04/2011).

The "Western" male

Though not the best angle in the world, you can see that the markings on the thorax are different again to the two above (they are slimmer and straigher) and the caudal appendages are black. This one I saw at Kanchanaburi (26/03/2011).

The "Northern" female

The female looks similar to all species in the Prodasineura genus, except it has a slightly red tinge to the thoracic markings. Again, this specimen I saw in Chiang Mai.

The "Eastern" female

Again, even with the female, the thoracic markings are much slimmer than the Northern form. This specimen was ovipositing at a small river, Koh Chang.

An "Eastern" copula, ovipositing

The "Western" female

This isn't a very good shot and so comparing this specimen is difficult. It was raining and under heavy tree cover, making it really dark. It was also too high up to see dorsally and flew away when it tried to get above it. I will get a better example soon. I saw this female in Kanchanaburi.

21. Calicnemia erythromelas (Selys, 1891)

Number: 21

Family: Platycnemididae

Genus: Calicnemia 

Species: Calicnemia erythromelas

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มหญ้าปลายดำ

Habitat: Uplands man-made pond (though this probably isn't accurate)

Province(s) sighted: Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai)

Sightings (by me): Extremely rare (just this solitary male)

In flight (that I have seen): April (full flight unknown)

Species easily confused with: Calicnemia chaseni; Calicnemia miles

On my last day up Doi Inthanon (April 10, 2010), I got on my motorbike and headed about 5 kms away from the main headquarters. I seemed to be going nowhere until I came across a small man-made lake high up in the mountains. I decided to have a quick look and saw a number of upland species, which I already had good photos of. My battery was about to die on me, and the batteries on my flash had already gone. I had also taken over 4,000 photos in 7 days there. It was time to give up... well, not quite. As I walked I noticed what looked like Calicnemia miles. Until I noticed the length of the black on its abdomen. I wasn't sure what it was and took a number of photos in fading light and then my battery finally gave in too. I sent the photos to Noppadon Makbun and he confirmed that it was indeed Calicnemia erythromelas. I later found out it's a rare montane species. I was thrilled. Unfortunately, they aren't the best photos in the world and I didn't get to see the female, but I'm happy to at least see it.

The male

Very similar in size and colour to Calicnemia miles, but doesn't have red on the thorax. Its most obvious feature is the last segments of the abdomen which are completely black. Looks like it's been dipped in paint.

20. Calicnemia miles (Laidlaw, 1917)

Number: 20

Family: Platycnemididae

Genus: Calicnemia

Species: Calicnemia miles

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มหญ้าหางส้มธรรมดา, แมลงปอเข็มคาลดำแดง

Habitat: Sluggish (almost dried-up) uplands streams, under heavy tree cover

Province(s) sighted: Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai)

Sightings: Scarce

In flight (that I have seen): April (though I am sure it's longer)

Species easily confused with: Calicnemia chaseni; Calicnemia erythromelas

When I visited Chiang Mai for 2 months in March-May 2010, one of the species Noppadon Makbun told me to look out for was Calicnemia miles. I look for it, as well as many other species, but I thought it was going to elude me. Then, one day, in late April I saw two males and a female high up Doi Inthanon. They like really dark areas and maybe I had just missed them before. But once I had noticed the male, it was really obvious.

The male

The male is stunning, with red, black and white stripes on the thorax and a bright red abdomen. The end segments are completely black.

The female

The female is similar to the male, but is much duller in comparison and the abdomen is more robust.

This female was busy cleaning herself off following ovipositing.

A copula

Amazingly, I went back to see if I could find them again two days later (as I wasn't happy with the original photos) and there they were... in a copula! I was so happy to see that.

Ovipositing

I watched the copula for a while and was really happy when the female began ovipositing. Unfortunately, they really liked to be a darkened, shaded area so I had to use flash. She likes to lay her eggs on rotting roots, in the minimal amount to water. The tiny stream was almost dry.

I'm not sure of the distribution of this species. All I know is that it is in flight while I was in Chiang Mai, in April. Also, if you look for this species, it loves shaded areas, so look carefully!