253: Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842)

    Number: 253 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Ictinogomphus

Species: Ictinogomphus rapax / Indian Common Clubtail

Province(s) sighted: Petchabun, Chiang Mai

Habitat: Forested Ponds, Marsh

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

Species easily confused with: Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops

One species I actually saw back in 2010 and then again on occasion (alegedly) over the years but didn't actually know it, is Ictinogomphus rapax. Commonly known as the Indian Common Clubtail, it looks identical to I. decoratus and it took a while for people to work out how to separate the two species. It appears that, other than additional markings on the thorax (though that isn'y always the case), the key to ID is a solid ring on S8 near the end of the abdomen.

The Male

This male sat on my hard drive for many years, leaving me to think it was Ictinogomphus decoratus melaenops... but you can clearly see the solid yellow ring towards the end of the abdomen.

Here is another specimen I saw back in 2010! Yep, it sat there for 15 years as the wrong species!

So, if you have lots of photos of the common species, take a look as you never know! I a sure I have more too.

251: Anax nigrofasciatus nigrolineatus Fraser, 1935

   Number: 251 / Family: Aeschnidae / Genus: Anax

Species: Anax nigrofasciatus nigrolineatus / Blue-spotted Emperor

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

Habitat: Forested Ponds

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

Species easily confused with: All Anax Species

On a trip to Chiang Mai with Noppadon Makbun back in 2024 turned out to be a great trip. And one species that hadn't even crossed my mind made an appearance. However, at an uplands pond on a rather dull day an Anax came out to play zooming around very quickly around the edges of the pond. Noppadon pointed out quickly that it was Anax nigrofasciatus nigrolineatus as it is the only one that shows in the area. Excited, I put on the 400mm lens and did my best to get a shot but they turned out to be terrible! That said, you can tell it is that species (very pale and small spots). But I must return one day in the future to chance my arm again and maybe on a slightly sunnier day when it may stay out longer.

The Male

Very typical Anax appearance but has small pale spots along the abdomen. Shame about the minging photo!

Many thanks to Noppadon for pointing out this species! Apologies once more for the terrible photo!

249: Nychogomphus lui Zhou, Zhou & Lu, 2005

  Number: 249 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Nychogomphus

Species: Nychogomphus lui / Southeast Asian Forest Hooktail*

Province(s) sighted: Bueng Khan

Habitat: Forested Stream

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

Species easily confused with: N/A 

*As there isn't a common name, I based it on the existing Thai name 'Southeast Asian' and gave the genus the common name 'Forest Hooktail', so the Southeast Asian Forest Hooktail.

I once visited Bueng Khan in search of a number of species, including one called Nannophyopsis clara. Even though I had perfect directions to the location, it eluded me... or I was a month late to see it as it is known from May-June and I visited in July. Slightly unhappy, I trudged on and almost walked straight into a medium-sized gomphid with strange-looking appendages. I knew it was something new straightaway and got a few decent shots in poor light. When I returned home, Noppadon Makbun confirmed it was most certainly Nychogomphus sp. though not sure of the exact species. However, a year later or so, the species has been confirmed in Thailand as Nychogomphus lui and this includes the one I saw. Fortunately, I even managed to get a couple of record shots of the female too!

The Male

The male is a medium-sized gomphid, identifiable by its unique appendages. You've got to love those dark green eyes too!

The Female

Sadly, I only have poor record shots of the female. I saw two but they were both high up and incredibly hard to photograph. They will have to do for now until I get the chance to see it again.

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for all his help with this species.

248: Sympetrum thailandensis Makbun, 2023

  Number: 248 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Sympetrum

Species: Sypetrum thailandensis / Thai Mountain Darter*

Province(s) sighted: Nakhon Nayok

Habitat: Forested Ponds

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

Species easily confused with: Sypetrum hypomelas

*As there is no common name, I decided to use the first part of the Thai name 'Thai Mountain' and 'Darter' which seems fairly common for the genus, Sypetrum, so the Thai Mountain Darter.

Back in 2018, a couple of nice ode enthusiasts (like me) visited different areas of Khao Yai National Park and eventually spotted Sypetrum hypomelas. They took photos and then noticed that some of them looked different. Noppadon Makbun showed me the photos and I decided to go and look for myself as they did indeed look rather different. When I arrived at the location (just one forested pond), I saw a few common species. Then suddenly, S. hypomelas showed up. Then another... then... huh? Ahhhh! Yes! The 'different' one! And yes, in nature it looked so different, especially when looking at them side by side. In simple terms, it is more red and black, whereas S. hypomelas was more black, red and yellow. Anyway, I got a large number of photos and went home. I tried to collect, but there were people around. Roll on five years and it has now been described by Noppadon. It has been name Sypetrum thailandensis, which I have named the Thai Mountain Darter, based on the Thai name. It is a super beautiful species. I returned a couple of years later and I was a little early (July) for the species but I still managed to spot a solitary female that had newly emerged.

The Male

The Male is similar to S. hypomelas, but differs in the fact that full males are predominantly red and black and there are two black dorsal spots on S7-8 of the abdomen. It is an incredibly beautiful species and I am so happy to have seen it!

Here, you can clearly see the two blacks spots on the abdomen.

Likewise here. Note the damaged wing from flighting (they were quite aggressive).

The Female

This one is not quite fully mature as it will darken a little more, but you can make out the two spots on the abdomen like with the male.

The 'Teneral' Female

This female had just emerged but is identifiable due to the the prominent spots on the abdomen (S7-8).

The Ovipositing Female

Here is a female producing one egg at a time and the firing into the water, which is typical of this genus.

247: Macrogomphus albardae Selys, 1878

  Number: 247 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Macrogomphus

Species: Macrogomphus albardae / Indochinese Giant Tiger*

Province(s) sighted: Chaiyaphum

Habitat: Forested Streams and Rivers

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

Species easily confused with: All Macrogomphus Species

*As this species has no common name, I have used the Thai name 'Indochinese' and the genus I erected for the genus 'Giant Tigers', based on the Thai name, so the Indochinese Giant Tiger.

This species I originally had as Macrogomphus matsukii, though it has been renamed as Macrogomphus albardae. I still cannot differentiate between the two species, though it may simply come down to range. From what I can tell, M. albardae prefers uplands forested rivers and streams, whereas M. matsukii favours more open lowland and large rivers. Other than that, it is a typical looking species.

The Female

I saw this female perching early morning at the large river that flows through Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum. Though it is a beast of a dragonfly, it is also quite skittish.

Here is another female I saw in Bueng Khan low down under a bridge.

(More images to add soon).

246: Euphaea sp.

  Number: 246 / Family: Euphaeidae / Genus: Euphaea

Species: Euphaea sp. / -

Province(s) sighted: Ubon Ratchathani

Habitat: Forested Streams 

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

Species easily confused with: Euphaea masoni

Back around late 2021, early 2022, a small number of dragonfly hunters from the Facebook group, Dragonflies of Thailand, had noticed an odd-looking Euphaea sp. popping up at a river that runs through Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park, Ubon Ratchathani right on the border of Thailand. Upon investigation, some were even saying that it was possibly E. decorata. So... me being me and very excited, I had to go and have a look in April that year. I went with my brother and on the first day, we checked in to our cool little rooms and I even saw a Sandstone Gecko, which was beautiful. Anyway, straight down to the main river and, being 11am, it was perfect timing. So, I searched... and searched... and searched. There were none. By then, it was incredibly hot so I decided to look under cover that stretched over boulders and parts of the river. And there they were, several of them. Superficially looking like E. masoni, but the black on the wings is minimal. Moreover, I saw about 20-30 individuals over a couple of days that looked identical. Even when we moved to a local further up the road (different water system), I found a few more. Now, it could possibly be a different population or it could be a subspecies. Better still, it could be a species yet to be described. So, for now, it has to remain Euphaea sp.

The Male

You can clearly see the difference straightaway. There is little black on the wings and in some cases (see below), almost none existent. However, that aside, it looks identical to E. masoni. I couldn't collect any as there were several other people there at all times and I was in a national park.

Another specimen, open winged. Look how little black there is.

Another specimen with slightly more black and a coppery hue, which is (I think) indicative of E. masoni.

The Female

Here is a close-up of a female. There were a couple in the area but mostly high up in the deeper shade. This was the only one that was close enough to me... but I could only get her face haha.

245: Pornothemis sp.

  Number: 245 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Pornothemis

Species: Pornothemis sp. / -

Province(s) sighted: Trat (Mainland & Koh Kood)

Habitat: Mangrove Forest

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

Species easily confused with: Pornothemis starrei

On holiday in Trat with Beau, my brother, Paul, and his missus, Suu, part of the trip was to visit mangrove areas. We also met up with an old friend and birder, Mark Hogarth, who now lives on Koh Chang. He went out with us one day to search for birds in the mangroves. For me, I had three potential species in mind, with the hope of more. I was preying to see a lifer for me in the shape of Mortonagrion arthuri, Pornothemis starrei (which had just been seen somewhere in Trat province) and also maybe Raphismia bispina and other mangrove specialists. However, several hours of walking in and two things were clear: there are very few species at mangroves and, if there are any, they don't show early. To the point, of the first outing, I didn't even see a single ode! Not one, but enjoyed seeing lots of crabs. On a further trip, we set out early (bloody birders), and walked and walked. Several nice birds were spotted but odes: 0. Nothing. Nada. By about 8:30am, the day was warming up and the birds were retreating. Then, as I walked along a boardwalk, I massive dragonfly moved from one branch and went a bit further away... then.... wait, it's not a massive dragonfly... it's a copula! Sadly, it was quite far out and I only got a few record shots of it against a gloomy backdrop, even using the camera's own flash! It was clear straight away that it was Pornothemis starrei, until I got back to my room... it looks a little different and is missing a lot of the markings. And according to Noppadon Makbun, there could be more than one species in the genus in Thailand and should be left at Pornothemis sp. for now. Hopefully, that will change soon! Still very happy to see it, though that was it... not a single other species or specimen. Finally, once I reached Koh Kood, we were looking from a bridge at mangrove and I saw another male Pornothemis sp. at great distance through binoculars, perching on a tree branch over mangrove... by the time I got down to it, it had gone. We even decided to stay one more day and visited there the next day to find it and others. We did but other than an enormous gomphid (with strange markings) that eluded the camera and a few very common species, that was it. Not a single other Pornothemis sp. to be found, though it had been threatening rain all day. Bad weather, too late in the year or just a bad day at the office? Who knows? I will have to return one day. 

The Copula

Though it looks very similar to Pornothemis starrei, there are very few greenish-yellow spots like you find on that species. Therefore, for now, I will leave it as Pornothemis sp.

 

244: Hylaeothemis clementia Ris, 1909

 Number: 244 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Hylaeothemis

Species: Hylaeothemis clementia / Eastern Junglewatcher

Province(s) sighted: Chaing Mai

Habitat: Forested Streams 

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

Species easily confused with: N/A 

Another species I had dreamt of seeing but didn't really know much about was Hylaeothemis clementia, commonly known as the Eastern Junglewatcher. Thankfully, Noppadon Makbun was on hand to help out. He showed me where it was and he had seen it the day before, both male and female. When I went to see it, it was a little early and nothing was showing. Then there was a little shower and I thought that there was no hope. So we moved on... we returned later and nothing still. But amazingly, a solitary male dropped down from the trees and was in a great position to get a few shots, though I had to turn round very carefully so not to spook him... and that was it. One male. I didn't get to spot the female, but I will return one day! Once more, many thanks to Noppadon for guiding me to this species!

The Male

It's quite a small species and seemingly quite approachable, though I wasn't taking any chances. The most striking features of this species are it's blue eyes and prominent dorsal spot on the abdomen. It also sat back from the stream.

Here's on Noppadon caught earlier...

242: Lamelligomphus sp. [nec. risi (Fraser, 1922)]

               Number: 242 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Lamelligomphus

Species: Lamelligomphus sp. [nec. risi (Fraser, 1922)] / -

Province(s) sighted: Chaing Mai, Udon Thani

Habitat: Forested Streams 

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

Species easily confused with: N/A

On my last trip to Chiang Mai with Noppadon Mabun, he took me to a lovely shallow but rocky stream that had a number of species, many common, but one or two fantastic finds. One of which, turns out to be Lamelligomphus sp. It is potentially a new species and looks identical to the one I saw in Udon Thani, but for now it will be placed as Lamelligomphus sp. [nec. risi (Fraser, 1922)], as there are a lot of similarities such as prominent yellow appendages and subtle differences in the markings. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon and it could turn out to be something new. For now, the exact location will not be revealed.

The Male

On the surface, this looks like a somewhat standard gomphid... until you look at those appendages, that is! Wow... they are enormous and black and yellow, curving to make a perfect circle. With a weapon like that, maybe the female is a total battle axe! 

I was lucky enough to catch it in flight...

... and Noppadon managed to catch one!

The Female

I also saw two females briefly but both of them were in flight. It has similar markings to those of the male. Sadly, this shot is a little blurry. Until the next time!

240: Anax panybeus Hagen, 1867

              Number: 240 / Family: Aeshnidae / Genus: Anax

Species: Anax panybeus / Arrow Emperor

Province(s) sighted: Phitsanoluk, Udon Thani

Habitat: Forested Ponds and Streams

In flight: May-September / Sightings (by me): Rare

Species easily confused with: All Anax Species

Back in 2015, I was at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in the Phitsanulok area and I saw an Anax species patrolling a large lake and I wasn't sure exactly which species it was. I managed to get a couple of shots of it but it was so far away and the closest I could get covered about 3 pixels. Anyway, I asked on the Facebook group, Dragonflies of Thailand and a few experts, including Noppadon Makbun suggested that it could be Anax panybeus, based on the faint and small spots on the abdomen. The real reason why there wasn't much confidence was that it seemed out of range... until my daft brother, Paul, and his big lens for birding popped up again. 

He was searching an area in Udon Thani province of all places and while out looking for feathered friends in Isaan, he takes photos of interesting looking dragons for me to look at. This time he came back with a good photo of an Anax species. I was confident that it was Anax panybeus but got confirmation from Noppadon Makun first and he stated that it was, in fact, not just a provincial record, but a new record for the whole of the NE of Thailand which is an amazing feat! Congrats, r Paul! But, that got me thinking again... and I dug out a few other photos of the one I saw patrolling at PHRK and putting two and two together, I came up with A. panybeus too, commonly known as the Arrow Emperor! Not quite in the NE of Thailand but still another great find, which Noppadon confirmed later. So, as I only have a couple of terrible shots of it, I am posting Paul's great in-light shot of his he saw in Udon Thani!

The Male

This is Paul's great effort in capturing a male, A. panebeus, while in flight...

...and here is my poultry attempt...

I must get a better photo of him one day (I did only have a 180mm lens on me!)

First photo courtesy of my brother, Paul, as a placement photo until I can get a good shot my own. Many thanks, r kid!

238: Anotogaster gregoryi Fraser, 1924

     Number: 238 / Family: Cordulegastridae / Genus: Anotogaster

Species: Anotogaster gregoryi / Gregory's Pointed-belly Dragonfly*

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

Habitat: Uplands Forested Streams

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

Species easily confused with: N/A

*As there was no common name, I simply settled on Gregory's Pointed-belly Dragonfly, which is a translation of the Thai name. 

While at Siriphum Waterfall at Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai, I noticed an enormous dragonfly bomb straight over my head and disappear over the trees. It was massive and I was gutted that I would never get to know what it was. Then, about five minutes later, another (or the same one) came back over the tree canopy and dropped down onto a fairly low hanging leafless tree about 15 metres away... I edged along and managed to fire off a number of shots before it became to weary and flew away. I was so excited to get photos of it and it was clear as soon as I got back to my room what it was: Anotogaster gregoryi, now known as Gregory's Pointed-belly Dragonfly. It is an absolute beast yet stunning, though the only species in the family Cordulegastridae known s far in Thailand. Hopefully, there are more out there.

The Male

Simply stunning is the best description. Massive, yet beautiful with its golden rings, and green eyes, it really is a truly majestic creature of the skies

237: Burmagomphus w. williamsoni Förster, 1914

    Number: 237 / Family: Gomphidae / Genus: Burmagomphus

Species: Burmagomhpus w. williamsoni / Williamson's Clubtail*

Province(s) sighted: Prachuap Khiri Khan

Habitat: Open Streams on the Edge of Forest

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

Species easily confused with: All Burmagomhpus species

*No common name so named 'Williamson' after Edward Bruce Williamson and 'Clubtail' which is linked to Burmagomphus.

This was a photo that sat on my hard drive for quite a few years as it is, well, terrible. However, according to Noppadon Makbun, it is actually a female of the species Burmagomphus williamsoni, which I have simply named Williamson's Clubtail. I saw the species literally for about 2 seconds... one photo, gone. I was at a stream outside the entrance to Pa La-U Waterfall. There isn't much else to say about it really as it is such a poor photo, but I will add it until I can get better photos of the female and of the male. 

The Female

As you can see, not exactly an award-winning photo but at least I have seen it!