250: Drepanosticta sp. (possibly D. Khaochongensis Asahina, 1984)

   Number: 250 / Family: Platycnemididae / Genus: Drepanosticta

Species: Drepanosticta sp. / -

Province(s) sighted: Phuket

Habitat: Forested Stream

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

Species easily confused with: All Drepanosticta Species

Back in October, 2018, I took a trip to Phuket with Beau. Obviously it was a normal holiday but I wasn't giving up the chance to have a good look around for odes. I decided on two places (and an area that Oleg Kosterin found Podolestes coomansi, but I couldn't even find the place, let alone the species. On the whole, I was disappointed with what I found (it was very quiet) but maybe because it was October and I was searching blindly, I don't know. One very interesting species I did manage to find, however, at Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary in Phuket was a medium-sized Drepanosticta species. Talking to Noppadon Makbun about it, it is probably Drepanosticta khaochongensis which I would simply call Khao Chong's Shadowdamsel! It was one of only a few species there, though it was early. As the day brightened up, hordes of kids turned up screaming and shouting and diving into the water. I don't blame then, but it made life tough going so I moved on. Oddly, I found this specimen at about 7am. I also saw a female but it moved too high and I couldn't get a shot away in the gloom. I would love to simply put it as D. khaochongensis but for now, I will leave it as Drepanosticta sp. 

The Male

Medium-sized and quite plain, with only the typical blue patch that gave it away, I managed to pick him up and get a couple of photos but this was 7:00am and it was very dull so this is the best I could get. Any advances on species?

241: Protosticta jirapornae Makbun, 2025

               Number: 241 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Protosticta

Species: Protosticta jirapornae / Jiraporn's Reedtail*

Province(s) sighted: Chaing Mai

Habitat: Forested Streams in Low Vegetation

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

Species easily confused with: All Protosticta Species

*As there is no common name, I have named it after the Thai translation and used 'Reedtail' as several species in the genus are named so.

One species I actually went to see in Chaing Mai was a newly-named species in the genus Protosticta. It was described by Noppadon Makbun and he named it Protosticta jirapornae, after his mentor, who had helped him so much while he was studying at university. What was even more exciting, when we went to the area where it can be found, we also met up with the person it was actually named after as she also wanted to see it in life. It was a wonderful experience but the day almost turned sour as it wasn't the best of days and numbers of odes were very low. Even worse was finding a specimen that decided to fly high up into the trees before we had a chance to look at it properly. Fortunately, as I was chasing another species, I just saw that little tiny white tip moving and, upon confirmation from Nopaddon, I got in a few nice shots and Jiraporn happily got photos of it too! 

The Male

It's a typical male that is identifiable upon inspection of the appendages. This was quite a small species, but now has a name.

Many thanks to Noppadon for leading me to it and to Jiraporn for being such wonderful company!

239: Drepanosticta anascephala Fraser, 1933

             Number: 239 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Drepanosticta

Species: Drepanosticta anascephala / Doi Suthep's Shadowdamsel*

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

Habitat: Uplands Shaded Streams

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

Species easily confused with: All Drepanosticta species

*As there is no common name, I decided to name this species as a translation of the Thai name with 'Shadowdamsels' being a common name for the genus.

On a fairly recent trip to Chiang Mai with Noppadon Makbun, we visited Doi Inthanon and a little later Doi Suthep. Here, I managed to get photos of another Drepanosticta species, this time in the shape of Drepanosticta anascephala, now known as Doi Suthep's Shadowdamsel. All Shadowdamsels are extremely difficult to find and it was down to Noppadon Makbun to point it out this time. Worse still, it was very gloomy, a little windy and photography was incredibly difficult. In the end I was really happy to get these photos and identification is made by observing the appendages. Many thanks to Noppadon for leading me to this species. 

The Male

This species is typical in appearance of many in the genus, with a dark thorax with whitish stripe(s), a long dark abdomen with dark whitish rings and is typified by a large blue patch at the end of the abdomen. 

218: Drepanosticta Sp. (possibly quadrata)

 Number: 218 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Drepanosticta
Species: Drepanosticta sp. (probably quadrata) / Singapore Shadowdamsel
Habitat: Lowland forested streams
Provinces: Narathiwat, Yala
Inflight: August / Sightings (by me): Very rare
Species easily confused with: All Drepanosticta species

One species I didn't expect to see and almost walked straight into it was another Platystictidae species. This one is likely to be Drepanosticta quadrata, commonly known as the Singapore Shadowdamsel. I could be wrong and Noppadon will be checking, but it is relatively well known throughout mainland Malaysia down to Signapore, it would make sense. Furthermore, we were lucky enough to spot a couple of females, both fully mature and teneral forms and the spot near the end of the abdomen seems right for this species. So, a great find indeed! If you know it as a different species, please let me know!

The Male
As with all species of Drepanosticta, the male has a striking blue patch, which is the only way to see them as the move in the gloom. I also saw a second male and a teneral male, though I didn't get

The Female

The female is much harder to find than the male as it doesn't boast the blue patch, but with careful searching in the gloom, they can be found. The large spot (I believe) is a good way to ID this species.

The 'Teneral' Female

This is a newly emerged female and hasn't yet formed its colours.

168: Drepanosticta sp.

Number: 168 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Drepanosticta 
Species: Drepanosticta sp. (probably yet to be described)
Habitat: Rocky forested stream
 Province(s) sighted: Pratchup Khirikhan
In flight: May 
Sightings (by me): Solitary male
Species easily confused with: All Drepanosticta species

At the end of a long and fruitful day at Pa La-U waterfall, I made my way back down to the first level, acutely aware that a storm was brewing slightly higher up the mountain. Just as I was about to put my camera back into my camerabag, I noticed an extremely long Platystictidae perching on a tree trunk. I knew it was a new species for me, but couldn't tell in the bad lighting whether it was in the genus Drepanosticta or Protosticta. I managed a few poor shots and then a group of tourists walked past and the thing flew away. I searched for a while and then remembered the male Drepanosticta jurzitzai which I had spotted a few weeks earlier. I simply stood back and waited. And waited. And then ... amazingly, he returned to the exact same spot. This time I managed to get a few better shots and with the storm rapidly approaching, I caught the specimen with my fingers. By now I knew it was Drepanosticta sp. and thought it was possibly D. sharpi. I managed a few shots in the hand and while preparing to get shots of the abdomen, I slipped and released it by mistake. It flew straight up and out of sight. I still thought I had enough shots for ID. However, upon my return, I posted my photos on "Dragonflies of Thailand" on Facebook and Noppadon Makbun informed me that there are a number of species in the genus yet to be described. This is likely to be one of them. So ... like many specimens spotted on this trip, I cannot conclude the exact species. It will for now be Drepanosticta sp.

The Male

The male is, like many species in the genus, dull in colouration with a bright patch on the abdomen. This specimen, however, had an abdomen that seemed to go on forever. The other notable thing, is that the thorax has a dull but noticeable green metallic sheen dorsally.

 The best natural shots (in almost darkness):

Now in the hand (notice that stunning metallic green sheen):

 Not a great photo (light had almost gone), but gives an idea of size (and my hideous fingernails):

My best attempt at photographing the appendages, before it escaped:

Thanks to everyone with their help on trying to ID this specimen, especially to Noppadon Makbun.

163: Drepanosticta jurzitzai Hämäläinen, 1999

Number: 163 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Drepanosticta
Species: Drepanosticta jurzitzai / Jurzitza's Shadowdamsel
Habitat: Deep Forest Area of Upland Streams 
 Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi
In flight: April / Sightings (by me): 2 males
Species easily confused with: N/A

Towards the end of a very fruitful trip, I was making my way back down the nicely laid out path of the waterfall at Khao Kitchacut NP. Really tired with burning legs from 2 /12 days of walking in and around streams and slippery boulders, I almost fell into an old hollowed out log between levels 7-8. Amazingly it spooked a damselfly I had missed on the way up. I knew straight away that it was a new species. I also knew it was a new genus for me though I wasn't sure of the species. I saw him land about 5 metres away. I edged forward and set myself up. Perfect ... ready ... focus ... bollocks! A female P. khaosiodaoensis spooked it and it seemed to fly away. I searched four about 20 minutes in really dull territory and almost gave up. Then I thought, "Maybe he has returned to that log." Amazingly, there he was. Inside his log. Now he was happy for me to snap away though the lighting was terrible and it took me a long time to get anything different. Once I was happy I had got good enough photos I said goodbye to him and went in search of his girlfriend. I didn't find her, but I did spot a second male at another log close by. When I returned home, I did a little research and it was clearly Drepanosticta jurzitzai, a species that seems to be only known from that location (though this may have changed). According to Noppadon Makbun, it is also early for the species ... maybe why there where no females to be found. 

The Male

It is instantly recognisable with its blue dorsal patch covering S9-10. They are easy to get near and photograph too.

 I will return one day in search of the female, though I will probably go a little later in the year when they may well  be more abundant.

 

161: Protosticta khaosoidaoensis Asahina, 1984

Number: 161 / Family:  Platystictidae / Genus: Protosticta 
Species: Protosticta khaosoidaoensis / Khao Soi Dao's Forestdamsel 
Habitat: Forested Shaded Streams 
 Province(s) sighted: Chantaburi province
In flight: April / Sightings (by me): Locally Common
Species easily confused with: Protosticta trilobata

I recently visited two well-known locations in the province of Chantaburi, specifically in search of one tiny species. The places I refer to are Khao Soi Dao waterfall near the wildlife sanctuary and Khao Kitchacut NP. Both places are fairly well documented in terms of odonates, as well as birds. I had also visited both places before but this was back in 2011 and also it was December, when it was very quiet on the dragonfly front. The damselfly in question was Protosticta khaosoidaoensis, a tiny and extremely slender-looking species which is superficially identical to the far more commonly seen P. curiosa. The latter species is known from the west of Thailand, whereas P. khaosoidaoensis is only known from the above locations in the east. I was fortunate not only to find both male and female, but they were extremely abundant. I seem also to have spotted two different females. One of which has dark end segments as described and a slight variant which has a distinct dorsal patch on S9. This could simply be a variation or possibly a different species or sub-species. Maybe someone out there knows! Anyway, I have now seen all 4 known species from the genus ... I couldn't be happier!

The Male

The male is almost identical to other males in the genus. One of the most obvious differences is that it has only 1 tiny black dot on the prothorax. I tried to photograph the caudal appendages, but anyone who has seen this genus will know that it is almost impossible with a standard macro lens and poor lighting. 

Here you can see the solitary dot on the otherwise whitish prothorax. 

 Here's my best attempt at photographing the appendages (awful, really)

The Female

The female is very similar to others in the genus. However, the variation of the white dorsal spot on S10 is noticeable, ranging from clearly defined to virtually not there. I assume it is age related. However, they all have a slim dorsal stripe on the thorax.

This one has a defined dorsal spot.

149: Protosticta medusa (Fraser, 1934)

Number: 149

Family: Platystictidae

Genus:  Protosticta

Species:  Protosticta medusa

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มรำไรเมดูซา

Habitat: Extremely darkened areas in forested streams

Province(s) sighted: Sai Yok Yai Waterfall (Kanchanaburi)

Sightings (by me): Rare

In flight (that I have seen): August

Following a difficult day at Erawan (seriously dark with heavy rain, mud and tourists), I decided to venture to a place I had been to once before. Again, it was extremely quiet on the odonata front and the heavens opened within about 5 minutes of my arrival. Fortunately, there was a break in the weather and I was able to search gingerly. The place was totally void of odonata ... well, not quite. Under a tree and heavily shaded, almost black, was a solitary damselfly. And I knew it was a new species straight away, due to its rather distinct caudal appendages. 

Searching the Internet when I returned home, I think it is Protosticta medusa. I only saw this solitary male, but did get a fleeting glimpse of the female. She came into view (near the same tree) and the male [I was photographing] swooped down onto her and then carried her high up into the trees. And that was it. I didn't see another male or female for that matter, even though I continued for long periods. Still, I got pretty good shots of the male. 

The male

It looks similar to many other species in the genus. However, its caudal appendages and highly distinctive and large. It also seems to have some kind of feather thing (???) above the caudal appendages, though I'm not sure what this is, or what it is used for.

Caudal appendages ...

Here you can see just how complex the caudal appendages are. Also, you can see the little feather-like protrusion coming out of the top. Any ideas what this is for???

102. Protosticta grandis (Asahina, 1985)

No: 102 / Family: Platystictidae / Genus: Protosticta 

Name: Protosticta grandis / Large Reedtail* 

Habitat: Heavily forested upland streams

Province(s): Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi
In flight: March-August / Sightings (by me): Rare

Easily confused with: N/A

*Name adapted up by me (based on Thai names/existing common names of other species in genus).

When I visited Chiang Mai last March-May 2010, I discovered around 40 new species for my photo collection. One, which I initially misidentified, was Protosticta grandis. The correct ID was pointed out to me by Noppadon  Makbun.

The Male
Since finding the teneral male, I have at long last spotted the adult male. He is similar to that of the teneral. However, his eyes are now a vivid blue and the humeral stripe has a blue tinge to it. Again, I saw this specimen at Erawan waterfall.

Here's the best natural photo I managed to get (bear in mind it was the dullest, rainiest day in the world).

So ... capturing a specimen and finding a tiny light source was the best option...

 Here are the caudal appendages ...

The 'Young' Male

Here is a young male (not yet in full colour) that I saw in Chang Mai back in March, 2010 (yep, long time ago!)

                                                                      The 'Teneral' Male

There were several newly emerged specimens at Lamklong Ngu NP (Kanchanaburi) back in March 2011, again under heavy tree cover...

The Female ...

I was fortunate to also find a female. She is almost identical to that of the male, but easier to approach. The male is slightly trickier to get near. 

Female in the hand ... 

Like with the male, she is "playing dead"- something I have witnessed a lot with damselflies.

The Tandem

Not the best shot in the world as it was facing light and high up, but at least I got a glimpse of one!