247: Macrogomphus albardae Selys, 1878

  Number: 247 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Macrogomphus

Species: Macrogomphus albardae / Indochinese Giant Tiger*

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum

Habitat: Forested Streams and Rivers

In flight: June / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: All Macrogomphus Species

*As this species has no common name, I have used the Thai name 'Indochinese' and the genus I erected for the genus 'Giant Tigers', based on the Thai name, so the Indochinese Giant Tiger.

This species I originally had as Macrogomphus matsukii, though it has been renamed as Macrogomphus albardae. I still cannot differentiate between the two species, though it may simply come down to range. From what I can tell, M. albardae prefers uplands forested rivers and streams, whereas M. matsukii favours more open lowland and large rivers. Other than that, it is a typical looking species.

The Female

I saw this female perching early morning at the large river that flows through Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum. Though it is a beast of a dragonfly, it is also quite skittish.

Here is another female I saw in Bueng Khan low down under a bridge.

(More images to add soon).

205: Macrogomphus parallelogramma (Burmeister, 1839)

Number: 205 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Macrogomphus

Species: Macrogomphus parallelogramma / Parallel-lined Giant Tiger

Habitat: Lowland Forested Stream (Shallow and Sandy-bottomed)

Province(s) sighted: Narathiwat

In flight: April / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: Macrogomphus matsukii

*As there is no common name, I decided upon 'Parallel-lined' based on the Latin 'parallelogramma' and Macrogpmphus in Thai are known as  'Giant Tiger Dragonflies' so I kept that for consistency.

My last 'new species' for my records from Narathiwat is a beauty. At a shallow and sandy-bottomed stream just down from Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, I instantly noticed a fairly large Gomphid. As I closed in, I knew it was a Macrgomphus species but it flew away before I got decent shots of it. I continued wading through the stream and noticed at least 3-4 other males. Both of these were far easier to approach and I managed to snap away, though one was clinging on to grass which made photography difficult. I also managed to get fairly decent shots of the appendages and, therefore, was able to get a solid ID when I returned back to base. It turns out to be Macrogomphus parallelogramma a species that is known from the south of Thailand. Now nicely named the Parallel-lined Giant Tiger Dragonfly, I was really happy to see it and it is the second I have managed to find in the genus. Sadly, the female escaped my lens... until next time!

The Male

Similar to other species in the genus, the appendages are a little different and the markings along the abdomen are very faded.

The Appendages
The easiest way to separate most Gomphids! Always get close-ups if you can.

170: Macrogomphus matsukii Asahina, 1986

Number: 170  / Family: Gomphidae  / Genus: Macrogomphus 

Species: Macrogomphus matsukii  / Matsuki's Giant Tiger 

Habitat: Uncertain (though believed to be lowland forest areas) 

Province(s) sighted: Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon

 Sightings (by me): Rare 

In flight (that I have seen): June-July  

Species easily confused with: All Macrogomphus Species

*As there is no common name, I decided upon 'Matsuki' based on the author's honour and Macrogpmphus in Thai are known as  'Giant Tiger Dragonflies' so I kept that for consistency.

Though it may not seem like it, I have been busy searching for new odonates for a while and it has been rather futile. Khon Kaen in still exceptionally dry, especially as we should be well and truly into the rainy season by now. Every trip (several to Phu Wiang, Nam Phong and once to Nam Nao) has yielded very little. To the point, every trip seems to turn into a butterfly trip instead (I do like photographing them too). Today, though, things changed for the better ... and I was actually sat at my desk at school. A work colleague came in and informed me that a large black and yellow dragonfly had crash-landed into a massive window in the school corridor. I dashed out thinking it would be Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops. Yet, no, it wasn't. I could see it was a new species straight away though wasn't entirely sure. I caught him with my fingers and later on I took photos of him, before releasing him again. By then, I was confident that it was Macrogomphus matsukii, a new species for Khon Kaen and another species for my record list. So, I am certainly a happy camper right now. Still, I can't help but wonder whether it was just passing through Khon Kaen as there isn't a stream, forest or even a pond for a good distance from school. Only he really knows ... unless I find a new place with several specimens one day. Watch this space. 

Resting just after release. I had to be quick as it was going dark and he flew away about 30 seconds later. I have since seen this at the local River Chi in Khon Kaen and also at a shallow sandy stream in Sakhon Nakhon province, as well as a solitary male in Roi Et, but it is not common.  

Being photographed close up ...

... and his appendages close up.

The Female

I was lucky enough to spot a female at the River Chi, Choonabot, Khon Kaen, in 2019.