Number: 201
Family: Euphaeidae
Genus: Dysphaea
Species: Dysphaea dimidiata dimidiata
Common name(s): Black Velvetwing
Synonym(s): Dysphaea limbata Selys, 1859; Dysphaea semilimbata Selys, 1859
Habitat: Large, exposed area of forested river with large boulders
Province(s) sighted: Nari River, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, sandy stream lowlands (Narathiwat)
Sightings (by me): Small number of skittish males
In flight (that I have seen): April
Species easily confused with: Dysphaea dimidiata walli; Dysphaea vanida; Euphaea masoni
Another species that I hoped to see as it seems common in the south was Dysphaea dimidiata dimidiata. I did manage to spot a small number of males, but each one was as difficult to approach as the next. I first saw two males battling it out with a Gomphidia abbotti abbotti on a fallen tree overhanging the River Narwi. They were so skittish that I ended up literally having to swim to the other side of the river and creep up on them... you can imagine how hard that was. Eventually, one settled down and I managed to fire off a few decent shots of it in blazing sunshine -- though did have to swim around quite a lot to get all the shots I wanted. So, another one in the bag, though this attempt did mess up my camera for a day.
I also managed to spot a couple more males along the same stretch of river and I saw a solitary male at a shallow and sandy stream on the lower reaches.
Sadly, I didn't get to spot the female, but I am happy enough to get the male!
The male
It is similar to other species in the genus but has 'more black' on the wings.
Another species that I hoped to see as it seems common in the south was Dysphaea dimidiata dimidiata. I did manage to spot a small number of males, but each one was as difficult to approach as the next. I first saw two males battling it out with a Gomphidia abbotti abbotti on a fallen tree overhanging the River Narwi. They were so skittish that I ended up literally having to swim to the other side of the river and creep up on them... you can imagine how hard that was. Eventually, one settled down and I managed to fire off a few decent shots of it in blazing sunshine -- though did have to swim around quite a lot to get all the shots I wanted. So, another one in the bag, though this attempt did mess up my camera for a day.
I also managed to spot a couple more males along the same stretch of river and I saw a solitary male at a shallow and sandy stream on the lower reaches.
Sadly, I didn't get to spot the female, but I am happy enough to get the male!
The male
It is similar to other species in the genus but has 'more black' on the wings.
