229: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis Förster, 1903

        Number: 229 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis / Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk*

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

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

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum t. triangulare

*Name made up by me based on the translation of the two subspecies in Thailand now adding 'Northern' for Orthetrum triangulare triangulare and 'Southern' for O. triangulare malaccensis, based on the latter only being found in the very deep south of Thailand.

Another Orthetrum species -- or rather -- subspecies in this case that I was desperate to see was Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis, and the common name translated from the Thai name as the Southern Blue-tailed Forest Hawk. Orthetrum t. triangulare is a large and common species found pretty much throughout Thailand at slow-moving rivers, streams and trickles in well forested areas. However, as of yet the range isn't known to extend into to the very bottom provinces of Thailand (namely Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala). However, over the past decade more ode hunters have hit the very south -- including myself back in 2018 -- aiming to find new species for the country. Oddly, O. triangulare malaccensis had already been recorded in Yala and I saw it, albeit fleetingly, fly straight past me at a small stream in Narathiwat. This trip in August, 2025 seemed to be going the same way in the fact that none showed for the first 8-9 days and it was becoming a little frustrating. Amazingly, however, on a day searching a new area in Yala, noticed a small pond created by seepage which was surrounded by foliage and tall trees. It was too early to search then as it was morning and Noppadon Makbun and I decided that it would have been better to leave that place until after we had visited the stream we intended to find first. On the way back, we were amazed not only to find 3-4 idividuals of O. triangulare malaccensis, but we also saw a further two new species for my records in Orthetrum schneideri and the incredibly impressive Indaeschna grubaueri, all three of which I was desperate to see but had almost given up the ghost on them. That said, O, t. malaccensis was incredibly skittish and took a good which to photograph and I am happy with the results, though sadly, I didn't get to see the female... until next time!

The Male

Though very similar to the common species, Orthetrum t. triangulare, there are a number of key differences. One being the abdomen is possibly less robust; secondly, the blueish patch is noticeably shorter; and finally, as mentioned, location. It also seems that this subspecies has some greyish-blue pruinescence to the thorax.

228: Orthetrum schneideri Förster, 1903

       Number: 228 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Species: Orthetrum schneideri  / Schneider's Forest Hawk*

Province(s) sighted: Yala

Habitat: Small pond in forested area

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

Species easily confused with: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

*Though this species has been given the common name Schneider's Skimmer, I will change it to Schneider's Forest Hawk to be consistent with the rest of the genus.

One species I really wanted to see but it seemed to elude both Noppadon Makun and I, eventually showed at a small pond once he had already given up on it. Better still, at this tiny pond, we also saw. Orthetrum triangulare malaccensis and Indaeschna grubaueri. I was over the moon to find three new species for my records and one small place! Small forested ponds were hard to find here, but if you found one they were often full of ode treasures! In the end, we saw 4-5 males of Orthetrum schneideri, also known as Schneider's Skimmer and I did get a fleeting glimpse of the female, which just looked uniform yellow-brown but it was spooked by attacks from the males. In the end, I got a couple of good photos that I was happy with as it was an incredibly skittish species! 

The Male

Though very similar to O pruinosum, location is key to separating these easily. If you see a species like this in the bottom three provinces of Thailand, then it should be this species. All other provinces are the common species found everywhere else. The other way to split the two is the distinct neat change from powder blue on the abdomen to pastel red.

This male was perching over the dark swampy pond.

110: Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839)

No: 110 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum t. testaceum / Orange Forest Hawk* 

Habitat:  Forested ponds, marshland and lakes

Province(s): Kanchanaburi, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla
In flight: March-August / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Easily confused with: Crocothemis servilia, Macrodiplax cora, Rhodothemis rufa

*Though this species has been given the common name Orange Skimmer, I will change it to Orange Forest Hawk to be consistent with the rest of the genus.

There are 9 species of the Orthetrum genus, and I have now added 7 to my blog, with the most recent addition being Orthetrum testaceum testaceum. I just need to find O. t. malaccense and O. japonicum internum. Hopefully I will find them one day! 

The male

Also known as the Orange Skimmer, I spotted this male at a muddy puddle at Sai Yok Yai waterfall, where it was annoying female Cratilla lineata which were oviopsiting into the muddy ditch on a pathway. Unfortunately, the females were too fast to photograph, but I spotted a male above them in a tree. The male is similar to O. chrysis, but is red on the thorax dorsally and the colour at the base of the wings is more prominent. I have since seen it several times in the deep south of Thailand where it is more commonly seen.

The Male

A very bright orange-red colour, it can be confused with a few other species (see above). It is also a rather skittish species and takes a while to get close. 

The Female

This record shot of the female had literally just broken from a copula with the male (can be seen). I believe that the blueish dots on the top of the thorax are key to ID of females of this species when the males are not around.

53. Orthetrum triangulare triangulare (Selys, 1878)

No: 53 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum t. triangulare / Blue-tailed Forest Hawk 

Habitat: Exposed Ponds & Seepage, Sorested streams and Rivers (Uplands)
Province(s): Widespread (except the deep south)
In flight: March-December / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Easily confused with: Orthetrum t. malaccensis

The sixth species of Orthetrum I have added to the blog (and the last I have spotted so far) is Orthetrum triangulare triangulare, commonly known a the Blue-tailed Forest Hawk. I am still looking for several species of Orthetrum in Thailand. I have seen this at a number of upland streams and rivers, especially in Chiang Mai, Phu Kradeung National Park and Nam Nao environs. The tend to live alongside other Orthetrum species and tend to like hot, sunny weather. You can see this species pretty easily around the country.

The Male

The male is easy to recognise as it has a large blue section to the abdomen and the rest of it is completely black. They like to hang right over the water's edge on branches and twigs.

A Copula

I saw this copula at Phu Luang Wildlife Santuary, Loei, is 2022 and it just landed on the road.

52. Orthetrum sabina sabina (Drury, 1770)

No: 52 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum s. sabina / Green Marsh Hawk

Habitat: Exposed Ponds, Marshland, Seepage, Streams and Rivers
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Very common

Easily confused with: N/A

By far the most common Orthetrum species I have seen and one I tend to see everywhere is Orthetrum sabina sabina. Everywhere in the lowlands, you can spot this species. Often you will hear it first as it makes a rather loud 'clacking' sound as it takes off. This is the fifth dragonfly species from the Orthetrum genus. The worst thing about this common species is that, when looking for gomphids, this often raises your hopes for a second or two... and then you are left deflated!

The Male

The male is as common as the female and can be seen in equal numbers. The thorax is green with black stripes and the abdomen has distinctive black and white markings.

Male in the hand...

The 'Young' Male

The young male is very similar to the adult male, yet is more of a brown colour.

A close up of the male, showing how amazing dragonflies eyes are.

The Female

The female is identical to the male. The only difference are the end segments, where the males appendages are closed together, and the females are splayed (see below). I have to take a photo and zoom in just to see the difference in sex.

The Copula Wheel

This is something I have seen on numerous occasions, but have struggled to get good photos as they fly away at the slightest movement. This shows clearly just how similar they are. The markings are slightly different and the female's abdomen is more robust. 

From barren grassy areas to paddy fields, and from ponds to rivers, I have seen this species everywhere in the lowlands all year round. In fact, it was the first ever species I took a photo of... and got me into travelling the country in search of them.

51. Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum (Burmeister, 1839)

No: 51 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum / Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk 

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, streams and rivers (uplands and lowlands)
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: Orthetrum chrysis

The 4th Orthetrum species I have added to my blog, is the second species of the genus I saw, Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum, commonly known as the Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk. Often confused with O. chrysis it is fairly common on the edge of forested areas. That said, I have seen a fairly large group of this species living happily around a tiny drainage puddle just outside Khon Kaen city. So they are obviously not that fussy. 

The Male

The males have a 'dusty' red abdomen and a purple/blue thorax. They are are also fairly easy to get close to and photograph.

Male in the hand ...

The Female

The females of this genus are difficult to differentiate. However, this female rested momentarily after copulation (same female as bottom two pictures), before she began ovipositing. Therefore, it was easy to identify.

The Copula

I have spotted copula of this species on numerous occasions ... though they are hard to get near.

And here is another copula...

You can see this species all the year from forested areas to slight seepage in open areas throughout the country.

50. Orthetrum luzonicum (Brauer, 1868)

No: 50 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Orthetrum

Name: Orthetrum luzonicum / Slender Blue Marsh Hawk*

Habitat: Ponds, Marshes, Streams and Rivers (Uplands and Lowlands)
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: April-October / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Easily confused with: Orthetrum glaucum

*I have adapted the name from 'Slender Blue Skimmer' to match the other species in the genus known in Thailand.

50 species now posted on my blog and a great species too!!!

Another Orthetrum species that is often confused with another species is Orthetrum luzonicum, commonly known as the Slender Blue Marsh Hawk. It is often miss identified with Orthetrum glaucum. However, it is quite easy to spot the difference. Simply look at the eyes. The eyes of Orthetrum luzonicum are a vivid blue/green colour and O. glaucum's eyes are dull in comparison. 

The Male

 The male's thorax and abdomen are bright powdery blue and S9-10 can be black, though I have seen specimens where this turns blue too. The males also have slight yellow/black markings on the abdomen, which seem slightly variable depending on age.

Those Eyes...

This is by far and away the easiest way to differentiate the species.

In Hand...

This one I captured with my little net. They also seem slightly smaller than most other species in the genus, though this could just be my imagination. Still, a beautiful little thing. When I released him, he flew straight towards another male and began fighting. 

The 'Young' Male

This young male, has a pruinosed abdomen, but only part of its thorax has changed.

The 'Mature' Female

Like the male, the female becomes pruinosed. This one I saw a good distance from the water's edge. The female also has a slimmer abdomen to its counterparts (from what I can make out anyway).

The 'Young' Female...

At last I spotted the female. it's actually similar to the young male. The thoracic markings are different and the eyes are similar in colour to that of the male, making it easily identifiable. Also, unlike other females in the genus, when you move near them, they only seem to fly to another leaf or twig. Whereas, other females fly away, never to be seen again.

The 'Teneral' Female

This is similar to the one above but younger still and more yellow, typical of young Orthetrum species. However, the very slim abdomen and white between the appendages give it away. It is rarely seen at this stage, preferring to mature in the trees.

The Copula

This is an odd one as it seems that they have finished the 'action' and are now in rest mode... maybe the bloke will have a cigarette!