98. Ischnura sp. (rufostigma Selys, 1876 - group)

Number: 98

Family: Coenagrionidae

Genus: Ischnura 

Species: Ischnura sp. (rufostigma Selys, 1876 - group)

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มนาส้มจุดฟ้า, แมลงปอเข็มบ่อผู้เขียวปลายดำ

Habitat: Upland ponds
Province(s) sighted: Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai).
Sightings (by me): Fairly common at above location
In flight (that I have seen): April (longer, I'm sure

This was a small species that I saw when I visited Doi Inthanon National Park, April 2010. According to Noppadon, it isn't Ischnura rufostigma, but instead part of the rufostigma group. For now, I will simply call it Ischnura rufostigma, until it is described. It is also the third and final addition to the Ischnura genus, completing the group. 

The male

The thorax is black with bright green stripes. S1 is also green and it has two small blue ocular spots. The abdomen is orange from S2-6, S7-10 are black. S8 has a distinctive blue dorsal patch, almost like an upside down "T" shape.

The female

The female is similar to the male, but paler. Also, it only has microscopic blue dorsal patch on S8. 

A copula

I was fortunate to spot and photograph a copula, showing just how more vivid the colours are on the male.

I only saw this species at the small ponds around Doi Inthanon National Park headquarters. If you visit, you will surely find this species. It is difficult to get close to and photography isn't easy.

27. Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 27

Family: Coenagrionidae

Genus: Ischnura 

Species: Ischnura senegalensis

Common name(s): Senegal Golden Dartlet

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มบ่อผู้เขียวปลายฟ้า, แมลงปอเข็มนาผู้ปลายฟ้า

Habitat: Exposed ditches, drains, ponds and lakes (uplands & lowlands)
Province(s) sighted: Widespread (Khon Kaen); Nam Nao NP/environs (Petchabun);  Phu Kradueng, Phu Rua NP/environs (Loei); Widespread (Chiang Mai); Widespread (Chiang Rai); Khao Yai (Nakhorn Ratchasima); Khao Soi Dao (Chantaburi); Kabin Buri;  farmer's pond (Prachaub Khiri Khan).

Sightings (by me): Extremely common
In flight: All year

Species easily confused with: None

Another extremely common damselfly is Ischnura senegalensis. It can be seen everywhere in the lowlands and is quite an aggressive feeder. Both males and females are spotted in close proximity, though sometimes the females hang back from the water.

The male

The males have green and black stripes on the thorax, but the most obvious feature is the azure blue end segments on the abdomen. They are abundant, but are quite difficult to photograph because they are small and easily frightened. 

This one has no table manners whatsoever... it is eating breakfast (some kind of moth) and is having a pooh at the same time!

A 'blue' specimen ...

Apparently the blue specimens (possibly maturer specimens) are common, but I hardly ever see them. I think they look cool.

The crown jewels...

A close up of this male shows many parasites that live on odonata. This specimen has many different coloured ones... probably the same species, but at different stages.

An ancient female

The old female is much duller in appearance. This photo was captured early in the morning and was busily devouring its breakfast (Agriocnemis pygmaea, male) at Phu Kradeung.

The female

The female changes colour from bright red (below) to a green/beige colour as it matures. 

Hannibal Lecter eat your heart out...

This female is eating another damselfly (A. femina femina, teneral female) and has just bitten its head clean off so that it can devour the juicy bit of the thorax. Mmmmmm delicious!

The adult female

This female has lost its red colour and is more of a beige/green colour. She is perching on a twig in the baking hot afternoon sun.

A copula (in the wheel position)

9. Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865)

Number: 9

Family: Coenagrionidae

Genus: Ischnura 

Species: Ischnura aurora

Common name(s): Golden Dartlet, Dawn Bluetail, Aurora Bluetail

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มนาส้มวงฟ้า, แมลงปอเข็มบ่อผู้เขียวท้องส้ม

Habitat: Exposed uplands ponds, paddy fields

Province(s) sighted: Nam Nao NP (Petchabun); Chiang Rai; Khao Khrating National Park (Chantaburi); Khao Yai NP (Nakhorn Ratchasima).

In flight (that I know of): February-November

Sightings (by me): Uncommon

Species easily confused with: None

For me, this is the king of the 'minis'. Ischnura aurora is only tiny, but his colours scream for attention. The males like to sit in long grasses and are supposed to be common in paddy fields... though I have never seen one in Khon Kaen and its full of paddy fields there! 

The male

Green and black stripes on the thorax with a bright yellow abdomen, capped by stunning black and bright blue end segments, make it truly one of the best looking damselflies I've seen.

The female

She's really dull in comparison. She has slight blue hues on the thorax and slight yellowing to the abdomen. The markings on the abdomen are also completely different to that of the male. The females are far more difficult to spot and the one I saw hung far back from the main body of water in the bushes.

Here is a slightly younger female ...

This species is supposed to be fairly common, but I have only spotted it a few times. I first saw two males in a paddy field on the outskirts of Chiang Rai in April. I then spotted another male at the pond at the Helicopter Pad at Nam Nao National Park in November. Here I also saw a female for the first time (I recently spotted a 2nd female there). I also spotted a male at a pond near Khao Khrating National Park in November this year. I have now spotted male and female at Nam Nao in February.