113: Unknown species

Number: 113

Family: Incertae sedis (not placed)

Genus: Unknown (poss. Burmargiolestes or Agrimorpha)

Species: Poss. Burmargiolestes sp. (similar to B. melanothorax) or Agrimorpha fusca
Common name(s): N/A
Thai name(s): Unknown
Habitat: Extremely dark, heavily forested area amongst bamboo (almost impossible to see).

Province(s) sighted: Nang Kruan waterfall, Lamklong Ngu NP (Kanchanaburi province)
Sightings (by me): Rare
In flight (that I have seen): March (longer, I'm sure)

I recently saw an extremely skittish teneral damselfly about 70 metres away from the water's edge in a darkened area, amongst bamboo. It was really difficult to spot and was only given away by the white dorsal patch on the abdomen. Again, having no idea of the species, I sent it to Noppadon Makbun and he said; "It's surely in genus Burmargiolestes.  There's only one species recorded in Thailand: B. melanothorax. It's similar to this species except pale marking on apical abdominal segment." He also said that he has never seen a teneral specimen of this species, so it is difficult to confirm. 

Recently, Noppadon has informed me that this is possibly not only a new species for Thailand, but also a new genus ... Agrimorpha fusca. If it is, that would be fantastic news. Unfortunately, as it is only a teneral specimen and you can't see the colours of the face clearly, it is difficult to tell. Hopefully, I will get the chance to return there this year and spot an adult ... who knows, it could well be a new genus for the country! Once again, many, many thanks to Noppadon for his input and invaluable information ...  if it were left to me, this post would simply say "unknown brown damselfly" :)

112: Vestalis anne (Hämäläinen, 1985)

Number: 112
Family: Calopterygidae
Genus: Vestalis
Species: Vestalis anne
Common name(s): N/A
Habitat: Forested upland streams
Location(s) sighted: Sai Yok Yai Waterfall (Kanchanaburi)
Sightings (by me): Uncommon
In flight (that I have seen): March (longer, I'm sure)

Three hyaline-winged (clear) species of the genus Vestalis are almost identical (V. amethystina, V. anne and V. amoena) and the only way to tell them apart is through the anal appendages (which is very difficult to do through photography). I had no idea how to tell from looking at the photos so made sure I took a clear photo of the terminal segments. I sent photos to Noppadon Makbun and he told me that it was Vestalis amoena. Since then, Noppadon has re-looked at my photos and now believes it to be Vestalis anne. (Proves just how difficult it is to tell them apart!) Still, another species for me! 

Patience is key to photographing this genus. Not only do they like dark areas of forest, they are also green. I often first spot this genus (mainly V. gracilis, which has brown tinted wings and is very common) by noticing the leaves or branches moving as though something has just dropped on it. Sometimes it's a damselfly! The other problem is that they are very cautious creatures and often fly away at the first sight of you. If you can stay near them without scaring them, you can slowly inch forward until you are close enough to take good photos. I believe in a way that they begin to trust you, or realise that you are not a threat. Or maybe I'm just becoming crazy!

The male

The male is less cautious than the female, but still a very wary creature. Unlike V. gracilis, the wings are clear.

The male appendages

In order to identify the species, you must get a decent photo of the appendages for accurate identification. I always use flash (with a large home-made bubble-wrap diffuser) for this purpose.

The female

The female was harder to spot than the male and tended to hide higher up in the bushes. This lady was kind enough to let me get close to her.

I think this species ranges from western Thailand moving southwards and is found along slow moving streams in good forested areas. If you find one, you should find several. 

111: Philoganga montana (Hagen in Selys, 1859)

Number: 111

Family: Philogangidae

Genus: Philoganga

Species: Philoganga montana
Common name(s): N/A
Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มตาปีกยาวภูเขา 

Habitat: Heavily forested upland streams
Province(s) sighted: Lamklong Ngu NP (Kanchanaburi).
Sightings (by me): Rare
In flight (that I have seen): March (longer, I'm sure)

My first ever species from the Lestoideidae family! There are two species of Philoganga, one being Philoganga loringae and the second being Philoganga montana, which is the one I have found. I think it's a rare species, and was identified by Noppadon Makbun, once again! Looking through the Internet, there is little information about this species and it has only been seen at a tiny number of places in Thailand, so I am lucky to find it!

When I saw this specimen, I approached it with extreme caution not wanting to frighten it away before I photographed it (I had to clamber up an old log to get near to it and nearly fell into the stream on several occasions) I snapped away and then left it alone. When I returned, it was in the exact same place. I took more photos and then was even able to catch her easily with my hand. When I released her she flew onto my foot and then crawled onto my hand where she seemed happy enough. Eventually she flew high up into the trees and back to safety.

The female

This has to be the biggest damselfly I have seen. About the same size as Megalestes kurahashii (see earlier post), but was really robust, with an extremely stout abdomen and enormous end segments. It was bigger than many dragonflies I have photographed.

Here, she is in her natural position, amongst bamboo above the stream.

Once I released her she landed on a rotting log.

With the eye colour, maybe she is still young.

Here, she was happy to rest on my hand and gives a good idea of size.

She then flew onto my trusty walking shoes.

A close-up shot of her enormous appendages.

I will return to Lamklong Ngu National Park, as it is such a wonderful place and I hope to spot her other half!