153. Rhinocypha arguta (Hämäläinen & Divasiri, 1997)

Number: 153

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.

90. Rhinocypha perforata perforata (Percheron, 1835)

Number: 90

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus:  Rhinocypha

Species: Rhinocypha perforata perforata

Common name(s): Stream Sapphire

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกสั้นลายจุด, แมลงปอเข็มหางโป่งจุดฟ้า

Habitat: Forested streams (uplands)

Province(s) sighted: Nam Nao National Park (Petchabun); Mae Sa Waterfall (Chiang Mai); Khao Yai NP (Nakhorn Ratchasima); Khao Soi Dao (Chantaburi).

Sightings (by me): Uncommon (but locally common)

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

The third damselfly I have added to my blog from the Rhinocypha genus is Rhinocypha perforata perforata. It's supposed to be uncommon but can be quite common at isolated locations. It is most common at Khao Yai, where I have seen many specimens. 

The male

The male easy is to identify with its distinct blue thoracic marks. The prothorax has a pink/purple mark and the abdomen is black with blue marks on each segment. The caudal appendages are black. The wings are hyaline with black/pearlescent tips.

Mr. Moody...

This male flapped his wings in anger every time a male got anywhere near to HIS log. On occasion, he would also raise the end of his abdomen to look as big as possible. I wonder, through evolution, if they'll ever make weapons to fend off their enemies ... knives made out of grass or whatever?

In the hand...

This gives an idea of size... and shows just how beautiful this species really is.

The female

The female is difficult to differentiate with other females of the same genus, but is often seen close to the male making life - for novices like me - easier. Note the white of the wing tips.

This female is ovipositing onto a rotten log. 

Young female

This female is the same as the adult female, but yellow in colour and doesn't have the white to the tips.

In the hand...

A young female in the hand.

Oviposition ...

Here an ovipositing female is closely guarded by a male.

Mirror image...

A pair of females ovipositing.

... and then there were ten

Amazingly, for a very short time I managed to capture 8 females ovipositing at the same time, with 2 males patrolling over the top of them. Can you spot them all? Click on the image to see it up in size.

I have only spotted this species in Petchabun, Chiang Mai, Khao Yai NP, and Chantaburi. I have a few other photos of the females ovipositing. Email me if you would like to see them.

89. Rhinocypha biforata biforata (Selys, 1859)

Number: 89

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus:  Rhinocypha

Species: Rhinocypha biforata biforata

Common name(s): N/A

Habitat: Forested streams (uplands & lowlands)
Province(s) sighted: Nam Nao NP/environs (Petchabun);  Phu Rua NP/environs (Loei); Widespread (Chiang Mai); Widespread (Chiang Rai); Khao Yai (Nakhorn Ratchasima); Khao Soi Dao (Chantaburi); Kanchanaburi environs (Kanchanaburi); Koh Chang (Trat), Chaiyaphum environs (Chaiyaphum).
Sightings (by me): Common and widespread
In flight (that I have seen): All year

A lovely little damselfly that I see often at streams and rivers, is Rhinocypha biforata biforata. I used to really struggle to get close to it to take good photos, but the last trip I went on, to Chantaburi, I managed to get some decent photos of the male. They love to sit on the rocks in the hot afternoon sun right in the middle of the river.

The male

The male is easy to identify because of its colours/markings on the thorax and abdomen. 

Teneral male

This teneral male really highlights the vivid blue/pink markings on its wings.

The female

The female is also difficult to get close to, and takes a lot of stealthy movement.

The mature female has blue markings like this...

And the younger female, which has more yellow markings, is more commonly seen.

Close-up of the young female

Rhinocypha biforata biforata is a widespread species and can be seen all year round at rivers and streams.

88. Rhinocypha iridea iridea (Selys, 1891)

Number: 88

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus:  Rhinocypha

Species: Rhinocypha iridea iridea

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกสั้นผู้ขีด, แมลงปอเข็มหางโป่งแถบฟ้า

Habitat: Upland streams

Province(s) sighted: Small stream, Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai).

Sightings (by me): Very rare

In flight (that I have seen): April (Longer, I'm sure)

Another uncommon montane species I was lucky enough to spot when I visited Doi Inthanonon, Chiang Mai, was Rhinocypha iridea iridea. It was sitting on a branch that streched out across the river and was happily soaking up the afternoon sun.

The male

The markings on the abdomen make it easy to identify. This was the only male that I saw in the whole time I was in Chiang Mai.

The female ???

This female was the only other specimen anywhere near the male above. It was perched on a branch very close by and they often came into contact with one another before the returned back to their exact places. I haven't seen any photos of the female and can only assume that this is it. Also, being at around 1400-1500 metres up, I'm not sure other species of the genus, go that high. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.

31. Rhinocypha fenestrella (Rambur, 1842)

Number: 31

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Genus: Rhinocypha

Species: Rhinocypha fenestrella
Common name(s): Peacock Jewel
Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มน้ำตกสั้นผู้ดำ, แมลงปอเข็มก้นสั้นปีกเหลือบม่วง
Habitat: Forested upland streams and rivers
Province(s) sighted: Nam Nao NP (Petchabun);  Phu Kradueng NP, Phu Rua NP/environs (Loei); Widespread (Chiang Mai); Khao Yai (Nakhorn Ratchasima); Khao Soi Dao (Chantaburi).
Sightings (by me): Fairly common
In flight: All year

Another widespread river-dwelling damselfly that is simply divine, is Rhinocypha fenestrella fenestrella. I have seen this species at several rivers and streams throughout Thailand and it loves sunny areas, where there are lots of boulders in the river. 

The male

The male is simply beautiful. Once it is fully mature, it has lots of metallic colouration to its wings. Sometimes, a green tinge when younger which goes more of a blue/purple as it matures. They really are beautiful to look at. Not surprising, really, that its nickname is Peacock Jewel.

A male in the blazing sunshine

A younger male (with greenish colouration)

The female

The female is far less interesting to look at and is dull in comparison. The females are often confused with other similar species, but I think the markings on the female are quite distinct. Also, the wings are brown in colour.

You can find this species throughout the country all year at upland and some lowland rivers. Look for big boulders and rocky areas where the sun is bursting through the tree canopy. You're sure to find them there.