90. Heliocypha perforata limbata (Selys, 1879)

No: 90 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Heliocypha

Name: Heliocypha perforata limbata / Common Blue Jewel

Habitat: Forested Streams (Uplands & Lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: Aristocypha fenestrella, Aristocypha iridea, Heliocypha biforata

The third damselfly I have added to my blog from the Rhinocypha genus is Heliocypha perforata limbata. It's supposed to be uncommon but can be quite common at isolated locations. It is most common at Khao Yai, where I have seen many specimens. 

The Male

The male easy is to identify with its distinct blue thoracic marks. The prothorax has a pink/purple mark and the abdomen is black with blue marks on each segment. The caudal appendages are black. The wings are hyaline with black/pearlescent tips.

Mr. Moody...

This male flapped his wings in anger every time a male got anywhere near to HIS log. On occasion, he would also raise the end of his abdomen to look as big as possible. I wonder, through evolution, if they'll ever make weapons to fend off their enemies ... knives made out of grass or whatever?

In the hand...

This gives an idea of size... and shows just how beautiful this species really is.

The female

The female is difficult to differentiate with other females of the same genus, but is often seen close to the male making life - for novices like me - easier. Note the white of the wing tips.

This female is ovipositing onto a rotten log. 

Young female

This female is the same as the adult female, but yellow in colour and doesn't have the white to the tips.

In the hand...

A young female in the hand.

Oviposition ...

Here an ovipositing female is closely guarded by a male.

Mirror image...

A pair of females ovipositing.

... and then there were ten

Amazingly, for a very short time I managed to capture 8 females ovipositing at the same time, with 2 males patrolling over the top of them. Can you spot them all? Click on the image to see it up in size.

I have only spotted this species in Petchabun, Chiang Mai, Khao Yai NP, and Chantaburi. I have a few other photos of the females ovipositing. Email me if you would like to see them.

89. Heliocypha biforata biforata (Selys, 1859)

No: 89 / Family: Chlorocyphidae / Genus: Heliocypha

Name: Heliocypha b. biforata / Black-tipped Jewel* 

Habitat: Forested streams (uplands & lowlands)

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Very common

Easily confused with: Aristocypha fenestrella, Aristocypha iridea, Heliocypha perforata limbata

*As there is no common name, I have adapted the Thai name 'Black-tipped' and at least one species in the genus Heliocypha, has ben given the name 'Jewel', giving Black-tipped Jewel.

A lovely little damselfly that I see often at streams and rivers, is Heliocypha biforata, which I have given the common name Black-tipped Jewel. I used to really struggle to get close to it to take good photos, but the last trip I went on to Chantaburi, I managed to get some decent photos of the male. They love to sit on the rocks in the hot afternoon sun right in the middle of the river.

The Male

The male is easy to identify because of its colours/markings on the thorax and abdomen and the black tip on the wings which gives it its name.

The 'Young' Male

This young male really highlights the vivid blue/pink markings on its wings and looks far more impressive than the mature males. You will find this stage of damselfly away from the water, often with females, rather than down at the stream.

The 'Teneral' Male

Though it has most of the patternation, it has almost no colouration at the moment. It eve has whitish eyes.

The Female

The female is also difficult to get close to, and takes a lot of stealthy movement. The mature female has blue markings like this...

The 'Young' Female

This is a young female which will eventually turn more blue like the specimen above.

The 'Teneral' Female

Like with the newly emerged male, this female doesn't yet have any colour.

Close-up of the young female

Heliocypha b. biforata is a common and widespread species and can be seen all year round at rivers and streams.