181: Gynacantha basiguttata Selys, 1882

Number: 181 / Family:  Aeschnidae / Genus: Gynacantha     

Species: Gynacantha basiguttata / Spoon-tailed Duskhawker   

Habitat: Forested ponds  

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum  

In flight: July / Sightings (by me): Rare (two males)  

Species easily confused with: Gynacantha saltatrix; Gynacantha bayadera

There are definitely several species of Gynacantha that reside in Phu Khieo WS, but they are incredibly difficult to locate. That's why I was really happy to spot three species in one day, one of which is a new species for my records in the shape of Gynacantha basiguttata. Known commonly known as the Spoon-tailed Duskhawker, it is a large species that I spooked out of his hiding place which was deep inside tall reeds overhanging a temporary pool. Incidentally, the other two species I saw were G. subinterrupta (a first for me here) and G. saltatrix (another first for the place). According to the records, G. bayadera is also present and Noppadon Makbun believes G. phaeomeria to be there also. Seeing all five species there would be amazing. Hopefully one day, especially if I keep trawling the little swampy ponds all the time. I have seen two males, so assume it is quite rare/hard to find.

The Male

The fully mature male is rather beautiful with a green head, a green-blue thorax and greenish markings along the abdomen. It is a large species and incredibly skittish, but the key to ID is the 'spoon-shaped' appendages which give it its common name.

146: Gynacantha saltatrix (Martin, 1909)

Number: 146 / Family: Aeschnidae / Genus: Gynacantha

Species:  Gynacantha saltatrix / Little Dusk Hawker

Habitat: Heavily Tree-lined Ponds

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani

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

Species Easily Confused with: All Gynacantha Species

I was busily teaching yesterday (03/07/12) when there was suddenly a commotion. One of my students had picked up a dead dragonfly and was scaring her friend. I looked at it from a distance and thought it was Gynacantha subinterrupta, as they are fairly common in Khon Kaen. Then I noticed the whitish section on the caudal appendages. I thought it could have been Gynacantha phaeomeria as I have seen this species once before, but in Loei province. I grabbed it from the kids before it was destroyed and then taught them about dragonflies for a while. When I looked closely I could see that it was a new species for me, even though it was headless. The claspers are much slimmer (not paddle-like) than both other Gynacantha species I have come across before. 

Since my initial ID of G. bayadera, I have been corrected by Mapor. He thinks it is Gynacantha saltatrix. And looking at www.iucnredlist.org it states about G. saltatrix: "It is a crepuscular species which frequents marshes and does not require forest." 

This would make sense as there isn't much in the way of forest in Khon Kaen city!
Since this time, I have found a new location where there seems to be a number of specimens present. 

The Male

The male looks like many others in the Gynacantha genus. However, its caudal appendages differ. Also, the markings along the abdomen are slightly different to those of Gynacantha subinterrupta.

This male I managed to capture with my fingers ... good way of showing his small size.

The Female

The female is very similar to the male.

Another younger female I saw outside my house recently.

G. saltatrix male appendages

... compared to G. subinterrupta (it's rather different) ...

The female appendages

Many, many thanks to Mapor for correcting my initial ID!

142: Gynacantha phaeomeria (Lieftinck, 1960)

Number: 142 / Family: Aeschnidae / Genus:  Gynacantha 

Species:  Gynacantha phaeomeria / Dark-thighed Dusthawker*

Habitat: Forested Areas Along Rivers

Province(s) sighted: Kalasin, Loei

Sightings: Rare / In flight (that I have seen): June-September

Species easily confused with: All Gynacantha species

*As it doesn't have a common name, I decided upon 'Dark-thighed' relating to 'phaeomeria' meaning 'dark' and one feature of dark thighs/legs, as well as Gynacantha species being known as 'Duskhawkers'.

It was a weekend of agony and ecstasy at Phu Rua National Park and environs. Heavy rain, heavy mist, bad judgement on locations and a lot of driving, nearly put paid to my weekend trip.

After a sleepless night, I set off from Khon Kaen at 1am and arrived in Phu Rua at around 5.30 am with a few stops here and there. After a few bad choices on ponds (maybe it was too early in the morning), I tried my luck at the national park. Closed. Upon asking a man with a dog, who said "It's closed in the rainy season", I drove to another waterfall called Namtok Pla Ba, not too far away. It was part of an enormous river and the water was belting through at an unbelievable pace. The waterfall was low down and inaccessible, as too was most of the river. Back on the road. I saw a small waterfall called Song Khon Waterfall close by and chanced my arm. It was a stream. Good. It was in good forested area and I started searching. My last 3 trips proved fruitless, in terms of new species. After 6 hours of searching, this too seemed to be the same with only common species showing. I did see a female Gomphidae, but as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. I searched for another specimen, but it was all in vain. Right at the exit of the trail, I noticed a large Aeschnidae move under heavy tree canopy. I edged forward and managed to get a few good photos. It turns out that it IS a new species... Gynacantha phaeomeria. A rare specimen indeed and a new provincial record (I think). So everything is good in the world, once more! Since then, I was fortunate enough to spot a fully mature male at Phu Phan National Park in Kalasin, back in 2018.

The Male

The fully-coloured male is simply beautiful as is easily recognisable with its blue head, green thorax and dark abdomen. The other thing of note is the white part of the anal appendages.

 

The 'Young' male
Unlike the fully mature male, the juvenile male looks like many Gynacantha species at this stage and relies on the shape and colour of the appendages, in this case, the prominent white part.

Many, many thanks to Noppadon Makbun and Mapor for the ID and useful information/papers on the species. Your help is vital in my identification as I am useless!

So, all-in-all, it turned out to be a good trip. Next trip... Chayaphum, Nam Nao then Tak (hopefully). 

93. Gynacantha subinterrupta (Rambur, 1842)

No: 93 / Family: Aeschnidae / Genus: Gynacantha

Name: Gynacantha subinterrupta / Dingy Duskhawker 

Habitat: Forested streams/ponds (uplands & lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: April-December / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: Gynacantha phaeomeria, Gynacantha incisura, Gynacantha saltatrix

A big and fairly common dragonfly I see often is Gynacantha subinterrupta, commonly known as the Dingy Dusthawker. I have seen this species at many places throughout the country. However, I most often see the immature males and females. Fully mature specimens are seemingly rare to see (or never fully turn that colour). Though this species is easily the most common in the genus, it certainly isn't easy to find as it is crepuscular, meaning active at dawn and dusk. Therefore, during the heat of the day, it hides sometimes deep under tree canopy, often nearish to water. The easiest way to spot it is to walk and hope that you spook one out, then watch where it lands after flying like a crazed beast for a while.

The Male

Usually if you see a species of Gynacantha, it is this species. It is identifiable through its 'T' on the frons and the unique markings on the abdomen. However, ideally you need to look carefully at the appendages (see below). The mature is rather scarcely seen (for me at least) but sports blue eyes and a greenish thorax with a brownish abdomen with greenish spots. 

Can you see it?

The 'Young' Male

The younger males are more of a brown colour with a sprinkling of colour coming in.

The Female

The old female is very similar to that of the male and are often found in the same area.

  Here's the first ever female I saw in Khon Kaen.

The 'Dead' Male

While I was teaching at school, one of Beau's (my wife) students was cleaning the inside of one of air conditioning units and came across a large dragonfly. It was just alive, but only just. I think it had been sucked inside. It was a youngish male. It gave me a good chance to get some really clear photos. I saw about 10 specimens in a few days at school.

Gynacantha subinterrupta, male - caudal appendages, dorsal view