211: Risiophlebia guentheri Kosterin, 2015

Number: 211

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Risiophlebia

Species: Risiophlebia guentheri

Common Name(s): N/A 

Habitat: Forested swampy area

Provinces sighted: Krathing Waterfall (Chantaburi)

Sightings (by me): One male, one female

In flight: July

Species easily confused with: N/A

One of the reasons why the group trip was arranged was to see an incredible species that was recorded for the first time for Thailand just last year. Tiny and black (with yellow markings) and being at home in dull swampy areas, I actually missed it at first. Under heavy tree cover, the other Facebook guys were trying to point it out. They were all firing away and I still couldn't see it! Eventually, on a little stick, there it was: a tiny, dull species known as Risiophlebia guentheri. It is a rather peculiar species that obviously likes swampy areas and so far is only known from the one location in Thailand. Once I managed to get in a few decent photos in the gloom, I could see just how good it looked with its bulbous S1-2 of the abdomen and a curve to the remainder. Fortunately, for me (blind and stupid haha), it was fairly easy to approach. Once we made it back outside the swamp, a couple of the team were already happy in the fact that they, too, had found male and female! Aaarrrgh! They saw the female... and the lighting was much better outside. Amazingly, a second female was found and everyone managed to get in shots of both sexes, although the place was then shrouded in cloud as the rains moved in (you can see the rain on the female as I took photos before dashing for shelter).

The male

Identifiable by its diminutive size and that incredible bulbous section on the abdomen. Knowing how dark it was, I am very happy with these shots. 

The female

Similar to the male but has a more robust abdomen and the bulbous section is even more prominent (you can just see the rain on her abdomen). 

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for leading us to this species.

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.

186: Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 186  

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Tramea   

Species: Tramea virginia 

Common name(s): Saddlebag Glider  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Lowland Forested pond   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Wiang National Park, (Khon Kaen) 

Sightings (by me): Rare (1 male) 

In flight (that I have seen): September    

Species easily confused with: Tramea transmarina euryale

Well, I am desperate to get to that magical 200 species barrier (though I may need a few more due to some of them not identified yet - I really want 200 identified species photographed). And, though it is rare nowadays, I will never give up until I get there. I am now in the process of wading through about 10 million backed up photos  (sorting out other bugs and animals too). Suddenly, from a set of photos from Phu Wiang last year, I noticed a few record shots of a Tramea transmarina euryale male that, well, didn't sit right. The problem was that there were several males flitting about on that  day and all seemed to want to land on the same stick. I took a few photos and left it at that (a record shot for Khon Kaen). In any case, I was preoccupied with hundreds of Amphiallagma parvum at the same small pond (I had only ever seen them in tiny numbers before). But, looking carefully again last night, one of the specimens was clearly not T. transmarina euryale. The colour patches on the wing bases were far too big and I also noticed that it had a whitish face instead of having a metallic blueish patch. Doing a little research I saw Tom Kompier's brilliant examples from Vietnam and started to get excited. I then sent my photo to Noppadon Makbun, who did a little research himself and came up with it probably being Tramea virginia - the same species I thought it was. I couldn't be happier. And though it's only a record shot (and the sun was right in my face), I now know where it is... and I will find it again.

According to the IUCN Red List: "There is a single old record from Thailand". So, not a bad find really!

You can see the large patch on the base of the wings and he has a whitish face.

I will return and find you again for better shots!

176: Macromidia rapida Martin, 1907

Number: 176   

Family: Synthemistidae 

Genus: Macromidia   

Species: Macromidia rapida 

Common name(s):Common Shadow Emerald  

Synonyms: N/A   

Habitat: Heavily shaded forest river  

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

Sightings (by me): Rare 

In flight (that I have seen): July   

 Species easily confused with: -

Well, another trip to Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary has yielded yet another species for my personal records and another rare one to boot. Towards the end of a long and tough day following the length of the river without much reward, I decided to traipse further inside a covered stretch along the edge. It was seriously quiet, with only a few robber flies and moths punctuating the silence. Then, right at last knockings (well, about 3.00pm to be precise) as I was contemplating calling it a day as you have to leave by 4.00pm, I saw a small shadowy figure hiding deep under cover. I couldn't even be sure it was a dragonfly at first and had to take 3-4 photos just to see. With that, I knew it was new for me. My nerves got the better of me, and I slipped down the banking and into the water. It had gone. Surely. I gingerly made my way back up the banking to the same place and amazingly, it was still there. This time, I was more cautious. However, I couldn't get the right shot as the appendages were blocked by a massive piece of bamboo. I had to take off all my bags and crawl through the thick bamboo, tearing my clothes and slashing my skin in the process. Even then, it wasn't quite right. I nudged the camera forward, followed by my weary body and I was kind of suspended by bamboo and other plants holding on to me for dear life. Finally, I managed to fire off a couple of decent shots. Surprisingly, once I freed myself once more, I managed to catch him with my fingers and got a few shots of the appendages before releasing him back into the gloom. When I got home, I did a little research and it turns out to be Macromidia rapida, a species only recorded once before in Thailand and was recorded at the same place. So another very rare species indeed for Thailand.

Now in hand (but armed with a 180mm lens, I couldn't get the full body in)

The distinct yellowish-black appendages

... and the genitalia just for good measure.

---. Unknown Gomphid

Number: --- 
Family:   Gomphidae
Genus: Unknown 
Species: Unknown
Common name(s):N/A
Synonyms: N/A 
Habitat: Rocky forested stream
 Province(s) sighted: Pa La-U Waterfall (Pratchup Khirikhan)
Sightings (by me): Solitary female
In flight (that I have seen): May (2014) 
Species easily confused with: -

Whilst I was at Pa La-U waterfall, I was lucky enough to spot another emergence. This time, it was a medium-sized Gomphid. In the blazing sunshine, the dragonfly emerged rather quickly. Unfortunately, it is a female and at this stage (lacking colour, markings and other attributes) it is extremely difficult to confidently ID. So, though exciting to watch my first ever Gomphid emerge, I am annoyed that I can't ID it. Hopefully, somebody somewhere may know. For now, I can only call it Unknown Gomphid.

 Now fully emerged and stretched.

Appendages (close up) ...

Whilst 'pumping' her abdomen straight, she emitted a clear liquid which came out in rather large quantities.

Hopefully someone can ID this specimen or at least determine the genus (I have no idea).

159: Matrona nigripectus (Selys, 1879)

Number: 159 / Family: Calopterygidae / Genus: Matrona

Species: Matrona nigripectus / Common name(s): Blue-based Jewelwing*

Habitat: Forested Streams

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

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

Species easily confused with: Neurobasis chinensis chinensis

*As there is no common name, I have used 'Blue-based' from the Thai name and given the genus the name 'Jewelwing'.

A northern species that I have always wanted to see and one that is simply divine, is Matrona nigripectus. My chance came recently to go to Chiang Mai (where it can be found). Though I didn't have that much time to search, I knew where it could be (thanks to Noppadon Makbun). Looking at references and pictures, however, I couldn't spot the difference between that species and N. chinensis, a similar-looking but common species, though no less beautiful. It looks almost identical on small online photos. Noppadon explained that in the field the wings are darker and broader ... then he let me in on a secret. Wait for it to fly. The inside of the wings are black and irredescent blue (N. chinensis is bright green with black tips). I began my search and, amazingly, on a seriously quiet and wet day, I found a male hiding under a wooden footbridge and he allowed me to snap away; even get some shots of him with his wings opening (hopefully this will help anyone else trying to see the difference between the two species). In all honesty, when you see the two species together (they live side-by-side) it is easy to separate them, as M. nigripectus is bigger all-round and the green colouring of the abdomen is much brighter in my opinion. So, even though I only saw this species and didn't even get to spot the female, I am well-chuffed (meaning 'very happy' in Northern English dialect). And who wouldn't be spotting a beautiful creature like this?

The Male

Superficially, it looks a little like Neurobasis chinensis. However, the wings are blackish in colour, rather than metallic green - however, the real telltale is when it opens its wings as the wing bases inside are a wonderful blueish colour.

And here is his hidden beauty... check out that shimmering blue!

If you visit Chiang Mai late in the year (October to December), you MUST visit this species at Doi Suthep - but tell me where the females are!

158: Burmagomphus asahinai (Kosterin, Makbun & Dawrueng, 2012)

Number: 158

Family: Gomphidae

Genus: Burmagomphus

Species: Burmagomphus asahinai

Common name(s): N/A

Synonyms: N/A

Habitat: Uplands stream

Province(s) sighted: Nr. Sum Bon Ranger Station, Nam Nao National Park (Petchabun)

Sightings (by me): Extremely Rare

In flight (that I have seen): June (2013)

Species easily confused with: Burmagomphus divaricatus

Yesterday, I returned to Nam Nao NP in the hope of finding something new for my personal records ... even a provincial record, maybe. As I waded through a shallow, but rocky stream, I noticed a small Gomphidae obilisking in the hot sun. As I carefully approached, another slightly larger Gomphidae dropped onto it and a battle ensued. Both flew away ... you could say I was a bit p****d off to say the least. I carried on and eventually at a long flat area of rock surface in the middle of the stream, I saw 2 more males of the same species soaking up the sun. This time I managed to photograph them pretty well  in blinding sunshine and thought that they were Burmagomphus divaricatus. It was only when I got home and looked through my photos more carefully that I noticed that it had slightly different thoracic markings to those I saw in Nam Nao town (about 60-70 kms away) and at Khao Yai - both other places were large, open streams. This was small and rocky. Anyway, I posted a few photos on Dragonflies of Thailand Group (Facebook) and it was comfirmed as Burmagomphus asahinai, a species recently described by three people who I don't have any idea who they are ... hahaha Seriously, though, both Noppadon Makbun and Pattarawich Dawrueng comfirmed this species and Pattarawich also said it was a provincial record ... so I think I can safely say that this is correct. Many thanks to those mentioned as well as everyone else who contributes on the Dragonflies of Thailand Group (Facebook). Without you, as well as Oleg Kosterin, I wouldn't be able to differentiate between Burmagomphus asahinai and Diplacodes trivialis haha

The male
The male is difficult to differentiate between the other species in the genus. The thoracic markings are probably the most obviously difference, though still subtle.  The only thing I can suggest is, always take photos of Gomphidae ... it's not as if you see them everyday anyway. and you may record a new species for yourself!

Male appendages
The male appendages differ slightly to those of Burmagomphus divaricatus (click on link to see entry) - they seem slightly thicker and more curved than those of B. divaricatus. Not the best photos in the world, but may help someone correctly ID the species in the field.

I will return in a month hopefully to spot the female ...