196: Zygonyx ida Hagen, 1867

Number: 196  

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Zygonyx  

Species: Zygonyx ida 

Common name(s): N/A  

Synonyms: Pseudomacromia luxuriosus Karsch, 1893    

Habitat: Lowland forested river   

Province(s) sighted: Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, (Narathiwat) 

Sightings (by me): Rare (1 male) 

In flight (that I have seen): April    

Species easily confused with: Zygonyx iris malayana

A very rare species for Thailand that can be found at Hala-Bala didn't let me down. Zygonyx ida is known from the extreme south of Thailand and is clearly a species that is restricted by range (apparently locally common in Malaysia). However, even right on the border it almost eluded me -- as did a number of species I wanted to see. However, observing a number of fast-flying specimens (mostly Z. iris malayana) I was eventually drawn to a male that, well, just seemed smaller and did its own thing. Instead of flying high up it purposefully flew close to the surface of the river but patrolled constantly in the same way as its more common cousin. After a number of poor shots in flight I managed to get one that was good enough for an ID and it was indeed Z. ida!!! So, I settled down and reeled off a million shots until I managed to get a couple that were of a decent level (for my standards anyway). Amazingly, it landed right in front of me on a long stem of grass but flew off well before I could adjust the camera. Still, I am happy with the photos and hope to see it again one day. I am sure that is can be found elsewhere in Thailand but Hala-Bala seems like the best place right now.

The male

Very similar to Z. iris malayana but is noticeably smaller and has distinct white rings along the abdomen.

186: Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 186  

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Tramea   

Species: Tramea virginia 

Common name(s): Saddlebag Glider  

Synonyms: N/A    

Habitat: Lowland Forested pond   

Province(s) sighted: Phu Wiang National Park, (Khon Kaen) 

Sightings (by me): Rare (1 male) 

In flight (that I have seen): September    

Species easily confused with: Tramea transmarina euryale

Well, I am desperate to get to that magical 200 species barrier (though I may need a few more due to some of them not identified yet - I really want 200 identified species photographed). And, though it is rare nowadays, I will never give up until I get there. I am now in the process of wading through about 10 million backed up photos  (sorting out other bugs and animals too). Suddenly, from a set of photos from Phu Wiang last year, I noticed a few record shots of a Tramea transmarina euryale male that, well, didn't sit right. The problem was that there were several males flitting about on that  day and all seemed to want to land on the same stick. I took a few photos and left it at that (a record shot for Khon Kaen). In any case, I was preoccupied with hundreds of Amphiallagma parvum at the same small pond (I had only ever seen them in tiny numbers before). But, looking carefully again last night, one of the specimens was clearly not T. transmarina euryale. The colour patches on the wing bases were far too big and I also noticed that it had a whitish face instead of having a metallic blueish patch. Doing a little research I saw Tom Kompier's brilliant examples from Vietnam and started to get excited. I then sent my photo to Noppadon Makbun, who did a little research himself and came up with it probably being Tramea virginia - the same species I thought it was. I couldn't be happier. And though it's only a record shot (and the sun was right in my face), I now know where it is... and I will find it again.

According to the IUCN Red List: "There is a single old record from Thailand". So, not a bad find really!

You can see the large patch on the base of the wings and he has a whitish face.

I will return and find you again for better shots!

185: Aciagrion occidentale Laidlaw, 1919

Number: 185 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Aciagrion   

Species: Aciagrion occidentale / Green-striped Slender Dartlet  

Habitat: Well-vegetated Ponds   

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum

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

Species easily confused with: All Aciagrion species

Tiny, blue and all look the same! Talk to any dragonfly lover about Aciagrion and they instantly wince. It is an incredibly difficult and confusing genus that needs to be resolved - though anyone who dares to do it is a brave individual indeed. There are several known species in Thailand, though one or two of them could have been misidentified (possibly even by the original authors). That said, it seems that there are possibly several more out there that are yet to be described. One of which, I may have spotted last week. It is an Aciagrion species that seems to fall between A. hisopa and A. borneense with a sprinkling of A. pallidum thrown in for good measure. Superficially, it looks like A. borneense. However, the striking difference is the solid blue patch on the abdomen (save a tiny "v" nick) and the appendages are white. The colouration of the rest of the male seems to match that of A. borneense. 

Since posting this, and after a lot of hard work by a number of ode experts, it seems that there is a little light at the end of the Aciagrion tunnel of mess. Most species in Thailand, at least, can now be identified through different characteristics. And it turns out that this is, indeed Aciagrion occidentale. Commonly known as the Green-striped Slender Dartlet. I thought I had seen this on numerous occasions but no. However, this one I saw in October at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum is correct. Yaay! I am very happy indeed. Furthermore, looking at iNat, someone has found it in Khon Kaen (where I live), so I will be looking for the female there this September onwards - it's a late season specialist.

The Male

Looks similar to all male Aciagrion species. However, the tiny 'V' nick is the giveaway, along with the white appendages. The nick or groove is variable and can be much larger.

Here is another I found, I think...

---. Unknown Gomphid

Number: --- 
Family:   Gomphidae
Genus: Unknown 
Species: Unknown
Common name(s):N/A
Synonyms: N/A 
Habitat: Rocky forested stream
 Province(s) sighted: Pa La-U Waterfall (Pratchup Khirikhan)
Sightings (by me): Solitary female
In flight (that I have seen): May (2014) 
Species easily confused with: -

Whilst I was at Pa La-U waterfall, I was lucky enough to spot another emergence. This time, it was a medium-sized Gomphid. In the blazing sunshine, the dragonfly emerged rather quickly. Unfortunately, it is a female and at this stage (lacking colour, markings and other attributes) it is extremely difficult to confidently ID. So, though exciting to watch my first ever Gomphid emerge, I am annoyed that I can't ID it. Hopefully, somebody somewhere may know. For now, I can only call it Unknown Gomphid.

 Now fully emerged and stretched.

Appendages (close up) ...

Whilst 'pumping' her abdomen straight, she emitted a clear liquid which came out in rather large quantities.

Hopefully someone can ID this specimen or at least determine the genus (I have no idea).

159: Matrona nigripectus (Selys, 1879)

Number: 159 / Family: Calopterygidae / Genus: Matrona

Species: Matrona nigripectus / Common name(s): Blue-based Jewelwing*

Habitat: Forested Streams

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

In flight: October / Sightings (by me):  Uncommon

Species easily confused with: Neurobasis chinensis chinensis

*As there is no common name, I have used 'Blue-based' from the Thai name and given the genus the name 'Jewelwing'.

A northern species that I have always wanted to see and one that is simply divine, is Matrona nigripectus. My chance came recently to go to Chiang Mai (where it can be found). Though I didn't have that much time to search, I knew where it could be (thanks to Noppadon Makbun). Looking at references and pictures, however, I couldn't spot the difference between that species and N. chinensis, a similar-looking but common species, though no less beautiful. It looks almost identical on small online photos. Noppadon explained that in the field the wings are darker and broader ... then he let me in on a secret. Wait for it to fly. The inside of the wings are black and irredescent blue (N. chinensis is bright green with black tips). I began my search and, amazingly, on a seriously quiet and wet day, I found a male hiding under a wooden footbridge and he allowed me to snap away; even get some shots of him with his wings opening (hopefully this will help anyone else trying to see the difference between the two species). In all honesty, when you see the two species together (they live side-by-side) it is easy to separate them, as M. nigripectus is bigger all-round and the green colouring of the abdomen is much brighter in my opinion. So, even though I only saw this species and didn't even get to spot the female, I am well-chuffed (meaning 'very happy' in Northern English dialect). And who wouldn't be spotting a beautiful creature like this?

The Male

Superficially, it looks a little like Neurobasis chinensis. However, the wings are blackish in colour, rather than metallic green - however, the real telltale is when it opens its wings as the wing bases inside are a wonderful blueish colour.

And here is his hidden beauty... check out that shimmering blue!

If you visit Chiang Mai late in the year (October to December), you MUST visit this species at Doi Suthep - but tell me where the females are!

158: Burmagomphus asahinai (Kosterin, Makbun & Dawrueng, 2012)

Number: 158

Family: Gomphidae

Genus: Burmagomphus

Species: Burmagomphus asahinai

Common name(s): N/A

Synonyms: N/A

Habitat: Uplands stream

Province(s) sighted: Nr. Sum Bon Ranger Station, Nam Nao National Park (Petchabun)

Sightings (by me): Extremely Rare

In flight (that I have seen): June (2013)

Species easily confused with: Burmagomphus divaricatus

Yesterday, I returned to Nam Nao NP in the hope of finding something new for my personal records ... even a provincial record, maybe. As I waded through a shallow, but rocky stream, I noticed a small Gomphidae obilisking in the hot sun. As I carefully approached, another slightly larger Gomphidae dropped onto it and a battle ensued. Both flew away ... you could say I was a bit p****d off to say the least. I carried on and eventually at a long flat area of rock surface in the middle of the stream, I saw 2 more males of the same species soaking up the sun. This time I managed to photograph them pretty well  in blinding sunshine and thought that they were Burmagomphus divaricatus. It was only when I got home and looked through my photos more carefully that I noticed that it had slightly different thoracic markings to those I saw in Nam Nao town (about 60-70 kms away) and at Khao Yai - both other places were large, open streams. This was small and rocky. Anyway, I posted a few photos on Dragonflies of Thailand Group (Facebook) and it was comfirmed as Burmagomphus asahinai, a species recently described by three people who I don't have any idea who they are ... hahaha Seriously, though, both Noppadon Makbun and Pattarawich Dawrueng comfirmed this species and Pattarawich also said it was a provincial record ... so I think I can safely say that this is correct. Many thanks to those mentioned as well as everyone else who contributes on the Dragonflies of Thailand Group (Facebook). Without you, as well as Oleg Kosterin, I wouldn't be able to differentiate between Burmagomphus asahinai and Diplacodes trivialis haha

The male
The male is difficult to differentiate between the other species in the genus. The thoracic markings are probably the most obviously difference, though still subtle.  The only thing I can suggest is, always take photos of Gomphidae ... it's not as if you see them everyday anyway. and you may record a new species for yourself!

Male appendages
The male appendages differ slightly to those of Burmagomphus divaricatus (click on link to see entry) - they seem slightly thicker and more curved than those of B. divaricatus. Not the best photos in the world, but may help someone correctly ID the species in the field.

I will return in a month hopefully to spot the female ...

157: Stylogomphus sp. (possibly undescribed)

Number: 157

Family: Gomphidae

Genus: Stylogomphus

Species: Stylogomphus sp. (unknown species)

Common name(s): N/A

Synonyms: N/A

Habitat: Uplands stream

Province(s) sighted: Nr. Sum Bon Ranger Station, Nam Nao National Park (Petchabun)

Sightings (by me): Extremely Rare

In flight (that I have seen): June (2013)

Species easily confused with: ALL small Gomphidae species (unless you can see the appendages)

Upon my return to Nam Nao National Park for the first time in 5 months, I didn't really expect to find too many new records for me. However, being the eternal optimist, I always think I'm going to find 100 new species on every trip - until I get there. This time, however, everywhere just seemed alive with dragonflies. I had to search through the common species and butterflies to try and find something new. At a tiny stream near the Ranger Station in the National Park (entrance near the Helicopter Pad lake), I thought I'd have a final look before heading home. I climbed down the steep banking and instantly I saw a teneral Gomphidae hiding deep in the grasses. I managed to get a few half-decent photos in, but as I tried to carefully clear some of the grass to get a better shot of the anal appendages, he flew up, high into the tree canopies. Still, it has been ID'd by the guys on Dragonflies of Thailand (Facebook Group) as Stylogomphus sp., though the exact species is unknown. It may even be undescribed. Noppadon Makbun said that it looked similar to those found in Western and Northen Thailand. Hopefully, one day, I'll find out for sure.

Since then, I have found another Stylogomphus species at Kaeng Krachan, which can be found here.

Here's the best I could do with showing the appendages (rubbish, I know). They do show the whitish protrusion pointing outwards from the caudal appendages. It looks like the stylus from an old record player ... probably where it gets its name.

154: Macrodiplax cora (Kaup in Brauer, 1867)

Number: 154

Family: Libellulidae

Genus:  Macrodiplax

Species:  Macrodiplax cora

Common name(s): Coastal Glider, Cora’s Pennant, Wandering Pennant

Synonyms: Diplax cora (Kaup in Brauer, 1867)

Habitat: Large, exposed ponds, lowlands

Province(s) sighted: Nam Phong NP & Khon Kaen environs

Sightings (by me): Rare

In flight (that I have seen): January-May

Species easily confused with: Crocothemis servilia servilia; Rhodothemis rufa; Urothemis signata signata

A new year and a new species already! On a very short afternoon trip around Khon Kaen environs (basically near home), I stopped at an area with a series of open lakes I hadn't bothered with before, as it looks like every other lake in Khon Kaen. Surrounded by cultivated farmland and land which is under housing development - and being January - and you could forgive me for not holding out much hope. Except I couldn't be further from the truth. A few kilometres from where I was stunned to see Ceriagrion cerinorubellum, I bumped into a species I couldn't work out quite what it was. With the world's brightest sunshine blinding me, all I could see was a red dragonfly. It looked like Urothemis signata signata, yet it seemed to perch very near the water's edge and low down (not high up on twigs). When disturbed, it would hover for long periods - another characteristic unlike U. signata. So I tried to get a photo. Eventually, I managed just about to get a record shot and knew what it was straight away ... Macrodiplax cora. The prominent stripe along the abdomen reminds me of a human backbone. I tried and tried to get good shots, but with the horrible lighting and the fact that the specimen was extremely skittish, I moved on. There were several other males and I also saw a copula. So they are well and truly established there. I had heard that the species doesn't go any higher than Bangkok (it is supposed to like areas along the coast), so I was pleasantly surprised to see the species living happily in a lake in Khon Kaen. 

I returned the following day at 10.30 a.m. and unlike the previous day, it was dull and windy. AND devoid of any specimens. I decided to visit a few other lakes and then returned at 1.00 p.m. They were still absent ... well, almost. I managed to spot a solitary male and he was very cooperative, unlike the previous day when they would fly away even if I breathed. I have since spotted a solitary female at Nam Pong National Park, though I am not sure it is an established species there,

The male

The male looks like many other similar red pond species, but can easily be distinguished by its unique 'human backbone' dorsal stripe along the abdomen.

Here you can clearly see the 'backbone' dorsal stripe, which helps distinguish the species.

The female

The female looks almost identical to the male (if you can find it!) and has the same prominent dorsal 'backbone' stripe along the abdomen. However, it is more of a yellow-orange colour and can be separated easily (except for the young male which is very similar in colour). I had spotted 1 or 2 females previously, but they were always part of a copula and I couldn't get anywhere near them. Then, following many hours of searching, I saw an extremely skittish female perching high up in the branches of a sparse tree set back from the same ponds where I have spotted many males. She was extremely difficult to approach and it took almost an hour in baking sunshine for me to get close enough to get half-decent shots. If you do see a female, approach with extreme caution ... or you could miss out!

151: Rhinocypha arguta (Hämäläinen & Divasiri, 1997)

Number: 151

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus:  Rhinocypha

Species:  Rhinocypha arguta

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกท้องส้ม, แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกสั้นขีดคู่

Habitat: Montane streams (in bright areas)

Province(s) sighted: Phu Kradueng National Park (Loei)

Sightings (by me): 6 males, 1 female

In flight (that I have seen): October

Species easily confused with: None

A beautiful and rare montane damselfly I set out to see, almost evaded me once more. Then, third time lucky and at the exact location where Noppadon Makbun led me (when I visited last time), I saw a solitary male Rhinocypha arguta basking in glorious sunshine. Unfortunately, he wasn't reading the script as he simply moved from rock to rock as I tried to position myself to get a good photo. I managed to get a couple of record shots, but nothing spectacular. On the second day, I spotted a further 5 males along the stream at various points - all in bright sunspots. Though difficult to get anywhere near, I eventually got some half-decent shots. 

According to the IUCN website [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/174523/0] website, it states about R. arguta: "It is widely found in northern Thailand (in the Phu Kradung mountains (National Park), Loei Province, and Pee Pan Nam mountain range (Jae Sawn National Park)". It is also found at two sites in Vietnam. The female is yet to be described.

The male

The male is easily recognised as it is the only species in its genus to have orange colouration. 

This specimen moved away from the river and sat in the nearby bushes - getting as much out of the sun as possible. 

Unfortunately, though I managed to spot a solitary female, she flew straight up into a tree and I could see her peering dow at me from a safe height. Her blue eyes really stood out, but she was out of reach of my camera. Until the next time ... 

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for leading me to this beautiful creature.

122: Epophthalmia v. vittata Burmeister, 1829

Number: 122 / Family: Macromiidae / Genus: Epophthalmia

Species: Epophthalmia v. vittata / Spotted Torrent Hawk

Habitat: Lowland ponds/Slow-moving Streams

Province(s) sighted: Khon Kaen

In flight: June-October  / Sightings (by me): Fairly Common

Species easily confused with: All Epophthalmia Species

Who says you need lots and lots of patience to capture photos of dragonflies? Try cycling around the country roads and you may get a nice suprise. I did anyway. About 10 kms outside Khon Kaen, along a quiet country road, I cycled past a large, dead dragonfly, probably hit by a car. I stopped and picked it up. Unsure of the species, I carefully placed it into a small pouch I have under the seat where I normally keep my phone and cycled another 20 kms before returning home. Fortunately, it survived the journey and I was able to get good photos of it, before the ants moved in and left just a pair of wings! I searched the Internet and thought it was Epophthalmia frontalis frontalis, which was later confirmed as correct by Noppadon Makbun. Since then, I have spotted 2 more specimens (2 males and 1 female in total). Maybe they are more common that I thought in Khon Kaen, but rarely seen as they reside high up in the trees.

The male
Here is one of the males 'in situ'. Well, he is totally dead, but I just wanted his to look a little bit more natural and I think this is how they rest.

... and back to the better-for-science shots.

Wing venation 

This photo shows the distinctive hyaline wings with slight yellow colouration to the base of the hind wings.

Caudal appendages

Views of the terminal segments which also help with identification.

 Lateral view ...

Lateral view (from a slightly single angle) ...

Dorsal view ...

Basal view ...

The female

I have finaly managed to find a female ... and again, it is dead! This was dead in my brother's house, Khon Kaen. Thus, more unnatural shots ... though probably better from an ID point of view. Similar to the male, but slightly more robust. Also, note the eggs still attatched to the appendages.

Wing venation ...

 with broken tips - this was the better side! I think she was quite old.

The female appendages ...

amazing how the eggs are still attached!

Male vs. Female

I was lucky enough to also spot a female (this was my first female sighting), though she is really smashed up. It does, however, allow me to spot a few differences - the abdomen is more robust, the wings have a brown tinge (not clear like the male) and don't have any yellow colouration at the base. The eyes don't seem to be metallic either, though this could be simply because it has faded.