123: Pseudagrion australasiae Selys, 1876

Number: 123 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Pseudagrion

Species: Pseudagrion australasiae / Look-alike Sprite

Habitat: Exposed Ponds, Lakes & Slow-moving Streams (Uplands & Lowlands)
Province(s) sighted: Widespread
Sightings (by me): Common
In flight (that I have seen): April-December
Species easily confused with: Pseudagrion microcephalum; Cercion malayanum;

One species that I'm sure I have seen a number of times is Pseudagrion australasiae. However, unless you are very, very close to it, it is hard to tell the difference between P. australasiae and P. microcephalum. Having studied photos for a long time, one difference I have noticed (I think) is that P. microcephalum is a brighter, more vivid blue. Whereas P. australasiae is a slightly more muted blue. Also, P. australasiae is slightly bigger but has shorter caudal appendages compared to that of P. microcephalum. 

The Male

As mentioned above, the male is very similar to the male of P. microcephalum. If you see two together, it is easier to compare as P. australasiae is duller in colouration and is also larger. Also, P. microcephalum is far more common in Khon Kaen and the surrounding areas. 

  

The 'Young' Male

This is a very young male and hasn't developed the blue colour.

The 'Youngish' Male

This male is almost fully mature but not quite.

P. australasiae is slightly larger than P. microcephalum (a good way of IDing if seen together)

The superior (top) appendages are shorter than those of P. microcephalum

The Female...

The female is very similar to other females in the genus. However, for me, I was lucky recently. At at large, shallow lake I saw recently at Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, I spotted many males and females, including the female at all stages. P. microcephalum wasn't present, making identification easier. 

The 'Old' Female...

This specimen is rather old.

The 'Young' Female...

This is a young female, which is brown in colour. There were many of these early in the morning. However, once the sun came up, they all vanished into the bushes and trees.

The 'Youngish' Female...

Here, we have a mid-stage female, which is just showing signs of blue on the thorax.

77. Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum Needham, 1930

No: 77 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Pseudagrion

Name: Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum / Grey Sprite 

Habitat: Forested streams and ponds

Province(s): Widespread
In flight: March-November / Sightings (by me): Fairly common

Easily confused with: N/A

A medium-sized damselfly I have seen from Chiang Mai to Narathiwat is Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum. Commonly known as the Grey Sprite, it is a lovely little dragonfly that usually hangs around grasses and reeds that overhang small, shallow streams. It is supposed to me common but I only ever on occasion and, even then, it is in low numbers. That said, once you do see it, it is unmistakeable, especially the male.

The Male

The male is instantly recognisable, with its orange face and heavily pruinosed thorax. If spotted, I tend to only see it in small numbers.

The 'Young' Male

This is a close-up of a young male that is yet to adorn his pruinescence... but still has his orange face.

The Female

Like many species I have seen over the three years I have been looking on and off for odonata, the female Pseudagrion pruinosum elongatum has proved to be tough to find and I have only spotted the female once in Chiang Mai and once in Chaiyaphum. 

24: Pseudagrion williamsoni (Fraser, 1922)

No: 24 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Pseudagrion

Name: Pseudagrion williamsoni / Yellow-faced Sprite

Habitat: Exposed ponds, lakes & slow-moving streams
Province(s): Chantaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkla
In flight: April to November / Sightings (by me): Locally common

Easily confused with: N/A 

Another Pseudagrion species and the third I have now posted, is one I saw late last year at Khao Kitchakut National Park, near Chantaburi. It is, of course, Pseudagrion williamsoni, commonly known as the Yellow-faced Sprite. Since this post, I have seen this species in a number of locations and the further south you go, the more common it seems, though still a bugger to get near!

The male

At the large lake near the headquarters of Khao Kitchakut NP, I spent a long time looking for this species. There were many Pseudagrion microcephalum, making locating them tough. Then I saw the green face. It's unmistakeable. They are very shy and fly away at the slightest movement. Eventually, I managed to spot one that was happy in my company and I got a few photos. 

Green with envy...

I managed to capture this one and again I haven't got round to cutting those fingernails!

The female

I am 99% sure that this is the female. The black stripe on the side of the thorax is much broader than that of P. microcephalum. If I am wrong, please let me know.

23. Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps (Selys, 1876)

No: 23 / Family: Coenagrionidae / Genus: Pseudagrion

Name: Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps / Orange-faced Sprite 

Habitat: Exposed ponds, lakes, drains, slow streams (uplands & lowlands)
Province(s): Widespread
In flight: Year-round / Sightings (by me): Common

Easily confused with: N/A

The first Pseudagrion species I ever saw and managed to get photos of, was Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps. It is a very common species and in certain parts of Khon Kaen, there are many, many of them in localised areas. The males are very commonly seen, but the females tend to hide away in nearby bushes, grasses or trees. Unfortunately, they are really difficult to get near and photograph. It has taken me a few years to get photos like the ones below.

The Male

It's easy to see why the male is instantly recognisable... it's got a bright, orange head that makes it look a bit like Paul Scholes! The thorax is azure blue and green dorsally and the abdomen is blue with black markings and bright blue end segments.

Hmmm ... I'm getting hungry

What's that ... ?

Naaa ... just a tasteless moth

In the hand ...

The 'Youngish' Male

This male I saw at Nam Nao recently and it is the first I have seen that is in-between the young brownish specimen and the full adult.

The 'Young' Male

The young male has all the hallmarks of the adult, but the colours have not yet developed.

The Female

The female is often seen in bushes, grasses and trees up to 200 metres from the water's edge. Only when it is ready to mate does it reach the water. 

The 'Young' Female

The colours of the female are similar to that of the young male.  The end segment marking can also sometimes look like a "pacman". 

The 'Old' Female

 

A female in action (fending off a male Aciagrion tillyardi ... the purple sploge in the background)

Caught in the act...

I managed to catch this female with my fingers and it gives an idea of size. She returned to her tree afterwards, unharmed. And, yes, I need to cut my fingernails!

The Copula Tandem

I managed to take a photo of a copula in the "tandem" position. 
The copula stayed inter-locked for long periods of time. Note the damage to the female's eye - probably caused by an over-eager male.

The Copula Wheel

I managed to take a photo of a copula in the "wheel" position. The copula stayed inter-locked for long periods of time. 

You will find this species pretty much throughout the country all year, but take care not to confuse the female with other Pseudagrion females. Though they are common, they are also very shy and it takes a lot of stealth and dedication to get close to them.