224: Macromia callisto Laidlaw, 1922

    Number: 224 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Macromia

Species: Macromia callisto  / Beautiful River Cruiser*

Province(s) sighted: Songkhla

Habitat: Lowland Forested Shallow Rivers

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

Species easily confused with: All Macromia species

*Name made up by me based on 'River Cruisers' being the given name for Macromia species and 'callisto' meaning 'most beautiful'.

One species both Noppadon and I believed we saw a couple of times on the trip to the deep south was Macromia callisto, a species I have named the Beautiful River Cruiser. However, without solid photos, it was impossible to tell for sure. Then, on the last day at San Kala Khiri National Park in Songkhla, Noppadon managed to net a female. Oddly, while he was catching that I saw a male Macromia species whizzing past me along the edge of the river at speed, but I couldn't place it (I am not confident with this family at the best of times). Though I am poor at identifying females of Macromia species, Noppadon is confident that this, indeed, Macromia callisto, a species he has seen before. Sadly, no male, but at least it's another species for my records. I don't think that it is very rare, just incredibly difficult to correctly ID without capturing them. With thanks to Noppadon for catching this beautiful specimen and allowing me to photograph it for a first close up of this species.

The Female

A typically robust Macromia female, identifiable through the markings on the abdomen.

207: Macromia cupricincta Fraser, 1924

Number: 207 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Macromia
Species: Macromia cupricincta / Copper-banded River Cruiser*
Habitat: Forested streams

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum, Chantaburi, Nong Khai, Petchabun, Sakhon Nakhon
Sightings: Uncommon
In flight: May - August
Species easily confused with: Macromia moorei

*As it doesn't have a common name, I have decided upon 'Copper-banded' which is a rough translation of 'cupricincta' and 'River Cruiser' being named after the genus Macromia.

During the death throes of the day's light, I was sitting in a bungalow with my wife, Beau, at Krathing Waterfall, when I suddenly heard a loud thud on the window followed by the distinctive 'clacking' sound of a dragonfly. I jumped into action and saw it on the floor outside trying the get upright again. I grabbed it quickly and knew it was Macromia straight away but not sure which species (there are at least ten in the genus and I have only seen one). I hastily put my gear together (everything was being charged for the following day) and started shooting it. Sadly, the lighting was terrible. So, I waited until the morning when there was more light, though it was still very dull with the pending rains. I managed to snap away and with decent shots I did a little research. I landed on Tom's awesome blog (as I usually do now -- thanks, Tom!) and it was quite easy to work out that it was Macromia cupricincta, which I have now named the Copper-banded River Cruiser. The unique curve at the base of the wings near the anal loop as well as the protrusion on S10 make identification possible. Yay! Another species for my records. Since this post, I have sen this species 5-6 times.

The Male
It is similar to other species in the genus but has a few distinctive features. This is an older specimen.

And this one has the typical 'rusty' end segments...

This one from Chaiyaphum...

Another male in hand (Chantaburi) which flew into my door.

 One is the curved wing near the anal loop...

 ... then there is that dull brownish face to go with its awesome emerald eyes...

... and, of course, that protrusion on S10...

The Female

This is not my photo. This was taken by my brother, Paul, who is a birder and looks up more than me! I wasn't even there but I thought it would be a good place to show it. Hopefully. I will get to see the female one day.

177: Macromia moorei malayana Laidlaw, 1928

Number: 177 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Macromia

Species: Macromia moorei malayana / Common name(s): N/A
Habitat: Upland Forested Stream
Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai, Phitsanoluk
Sightings: 3-4 males
In flight (that I have seen): July - September
Species easily confused with: Macromia cupricincta

At last another species to add to my list. This time in the shape of Macromia moorei malayana. I saw one patrolling the same area of a small, clear and exposed stream. I tried again and again to get a shot in flight, but they were all terrible. Finally, it rested and I managed to get shots of it and even catch it (luckily as I wouldn't have been able to ID it properly otherwise). It's a new genus for me and, thanks to Noppadon, I am now aware that it is also a provincial record! I know that there is a Macromia species that resides at Nam Nao and Phu Khieo. I have seen it numerous times but never got anywhere near it. I now have to catch it to find out. Watch this space. Since then, I have also spotted this species in Chiang Mai.

 

 

Now in the hand ...

Another male form Chiang Mai (caught by Noppadon Makbun)

Note his rather bland face.

 

The appendages ... (ventral, then dorsal)

... and the genitalia ...