Field Trip: Phu Kradueng NP, Loei

Location: Phu Kradueng NP, Loei. 

Date:  24-26th October, 2012.
Weather: Bright sunshine and hot, occasionally cloudy (especially mornings)

Expectations of finding a new species: High

Now I can't walk. It's two days since I returned from Phu Kradueng and my legs are unbelievably stiff ... I think I'm getting too old for that place! Anyone who has visited will know just how much of an ordeal it is to get to the top. A steep and arduous walk/crawl up 5.7 kilometres, from 0-1316 metres. Even once you reach the top, you have a further 3.2 kilometre walk in baking sunshine just to get to the camp site. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Once I get to the top, my eyes are darting all over the place looking for odonata. My weary legs will have to wait. 

Phu Kradueng takes the form of a mesa and is 60 km² in size. It is very cool in the evenings. There are many waterfalls and you can follow a trail that travels along the stream. There are also a couple of natural ponds you can visit. I always think that three days is needed to visit the place - one day up, one day to discover and finally, one day down. 

So, what did I manage to see? Well, the first thing I noticed was how dry the place was compared to last December and October two years earlier when I visited. It has been a strange rainy season this one. Still, I did manage to find my quarry: Rhinocypha arguta (see last post). I only saw a handful for males, but I was really pleased to finally spot them! The other species I was desperate to see managed to evade me - maybe I am too late in the year for them - was Amphithemis curvistyla.  I know Noppadon has spotted that species there. I will return for it next year. Probably the biggest surprise for me was spotting a solitary male Rhinagrion viridatum basking in glorious sunshine. I'm not sure if that species has been recorded there. Indolestes birmanus were surprisingly very common, as were the usual suspects, including Vestalis s. smaragdina and Sympetrum hypomelas. There were three species I managed to spot visually, but not record photographically as they were either on the move constantly or just out of range of the camera. One was Ceriagrion fallax pendleburyi (I saw a solitary male rest momentarily as I was just about to shoot the camera at R. arguta at the stream. He vanished as quickly as he appeared. Secondly, I saw a male Gynacantha sp., possibly Gynacantha phaeomeria (I know it has been recorded there and it had a whitish part on its appendages). The third species I saw, never seemed to stop flying around the stream. It was a large Corduliidae which had bright green shiny eyes and a distinctive oval-shaped yellow mark dorsally on the latter segments of the abdomen (S7-9 I think). It could have been Macromidia genialis shanensis, due to the distinctive dorsal markings on the abdomen. However, I will never know for sure. 

Here are my best photos of the trip:

Rhinocypha arguta, male - a rare montane species

Indolestes birmanus, male - another rare species that is fairly common here

Indolestes birmanus, female

Rhinagrion viridatum, male - strangely basking in the sunshine! Possibly a new record for the Phu Kradueng.

Sympetrum hypomelas, male - an uncommon species that likes temperate climate. Extremely common at Phu Kradueng and Noppadon Makbun has found this species also in Chiang Mai.

Sympetrum hypomelas, female

Vestalis s. smaragdina, male - an uncommon montane species that is a dominant species here. They guard their territory even if a large dragonfly appears. 

Vestalis s. smaragdina, male - keeping an eye out for intruders approaching his patch.

Vestalis s. smaragdina, female (hyaline) - this is the first time I have ever seen a hyaline female.

Vestalis s. smaragdina, female (orange winged) - I previously saw males and females of this type at Phu Ruea NP. This was the only specimen I saw like this here.

Palpopleura s. sexmaculata, male - an uncommon uplands species and a beautiful one at that.

Mortonagrion aborense, male - not commonly seen, but there were several specimens at a tiny rivulet 

Mortonagrion aborense, female

Rhinocypha fenestrella, female (I'm pretty confident this is correct.

Zygonyx iris malayana, male - commonly spotted darting around waterfalls. Rarely seen resting

Orthetrum t. triangulare, male - a big, bold uplands species that likes nothing more than sunbathing

What I saw during my trip:

   Family: Calopterygidae

Vestalis smaragdina (Selys, 1879)

   Family: Coenagrionidae

Aciagrion tillyardi (Laidlaw, 1919)

Ceriagrion fallax pendleburyi (Laidlaw, 1931)

Ceriagrion indochinense (Asahina, 1967)

Mortonagrion aborense (Laidlaw, 1914)

   Family: Chlorocyphidae

Rhinocypha fenestrella (Rambur, 1842)

Rhinocypha biforata (Selys, 1859)

Rhinocypha arguta (Hämäläinen & Divasiri, 1997)

   Family: Lestidae

Indolestes birmanus (Selys, 1891)

   Family: Megapodagrionidae

Rhinagrion viridatum (Fraser 1938)

   Family: Platycnemididae

Coeliccia chromothorax (Selys, 1891)

Coeliccia poungyi (Fraser, 1924)

Copera marginipes (Rambur, 1842)

Copera vittata (Selys, 1863)

Indocnemis orang (Förster in Laidlaw, 1907)

   Family: Aeschnidae 

Gynacantha sp. (possibly Gynacantha phaeomeria)

   Family: Corduliidae

Macromidia sp. (possibly Macromidia genialis shanensis)

   Family: Libellulidae

Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842)

Orthetrum chrysis (Selys, 1891)

Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865)

Orthetrum pruinosum (Burmeister, 1839)

Orthetrum t. triangulare (Selys, 1878)

Palpopleura sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1787)

Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

Sympetrum hypomelas (Selys, 1884)

Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839)

Trithemis festiva (Rambur, 1842)

Zygonyx iris malayana (Selys, 1869)

So, 28 species in one short trip. I know that there are many more species their to be seen ... hopefully, next time I visit.

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.

Nam Nao: A Year in the Making (August & September)

Location 1: Helicopter Pad Lake, Nam Nao National Park, Petchabun. 

Date: Saturday,  8th September, 2012.
Weather: Heavily overcast, torrential rain, swampy conditions

Expectations of recording additional species (for my list): zero

Leech bites: 8 

I think a band called Wet Wet Wet once released a song titled, Sweet Little Mystery (how sad of me to remember that) ... well, yesterday (and the previous month for that matter) was certainly wet. Unfortunately, there was no sweet little mystery to be found. I made two visits in August. The first one was abandoned whilst riding there on my motorbike, as the torrential rain started seeping into my camera bag and I can't afford to replace my equipment. It was also getting a little dangerous riding my scooter in such conditions. The second trip, I was lucky enough to borrow my brother's car. However, sitting at the watchtower of the Helicopter Pad lake simply watching the rain pour down from 6.00 a.m. - 2 p.m. wasn't exactly the highlight of my project. Only the resident spiders seemed unaware of the weather. Alas, no blog page for August (attempts were made on 18/08 and 25/08). Still, onwards and upwards. I did manage to borrow my brother's bike again yesterday - and I was lucky too as it was rain, rain, rain yet again. This time, however, there were breaks in the rain and I think I even saw the sun once or twice. 

Yet, to say it was quiet walking around the lake is an understatement. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was actively taking to the air. OK It was early and it had been pouring it down, but I thought that there may have been something. Then I think I saw why ... everything was hiding - probably shivering - in the now extremely tall grasses and reeds. All specimens were soaked. They clearly had no power to move. This, however, gave me an opportunity to photograph a few of the more common species. I trudged around the lake, spotting common species as I disturbed them from their slumber. Every 5 minutes or so, I had to cover my camera as the rains returned. Each time it stopped, I continued. I did manage to spot a large monitor lizard in the lake, which is something I have never seen there before. I continued, but to no avail. Only common species appeared, even trudging - almost dragging myself - though the extremely tall and dense reeds. 

From the last visit, Pseudothemis jorina, Indolestes inflatus, Prodasineura auricolor and Agrionoptera insignis were not present. However, Ceriagrion indochinense, Ictinogomphus decoratus, Orthetrum sabina sabina had returned (though probably never been away - just hiding away last time). Also, solitary males of Aciagrion borneense appeared for the first time this year. Pseudagrion australasiae and I returned to the car somewhat unhappy with the day, and even questioned visiting the stream. However, once I had dried off a little, had a coffee and looked at some of the photos I had taken, my second wind hit me ... and I'm glad that it did!

Some of my best photos at the lake ...

Ictinogomphus decoratus, teneral male - welcome to the world ... of misery. Newly emerged and soaked through. Not the best possible start.

Even a little hopper used him as cover from the rain. 

Indothemis limbata, male

Trithemis aurora, male

Pantala flavescens, female

Trithemis aurora, teneral male

Indothemis limbata, teneral male

Aciagrion borneense, male

Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola, female

Rhodothemis rufa, teneral male (kindly ID'd by Oleg Kosterin)

Many thanks to Oleg for clearing up my confusion between Orthertrum chrysis and Rhodothemis rufa males at the teneral stage.

Nam Nao Helicopter Pad (added species from the last visit, bold; new species for the lake, blue; species not seen from last visit, red)

Note: Numbers were low/absent common species probably due to the heavily overcast/monsoon conditions.

Fam. Coenagrionidae

Aciagrion tillyardi (Laidlaw, 1919) ♂ ♀ [common]

Aciagrion borneense (Ris, 1911) ♂ [1]

Agriocnemis femina (Brauer, 1868) ♂ ♀ [very common]

Agriocnemis nana (Laidlaw, 1914) ♀♂ [common]

Agriocnemis pygmaea (Rambur, 1842) ♂ [1]

Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola (Selys, 1877) ♂♀ [2 each]

Ceriagrion indochinense (Asahina, 1967) ♂ [fairly common]

Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) ♂ ♀ [uncommon]

Onychargia atrocyana (Selys, 1865) ♂ ♀ [common]

Pseudagrion australasiae (Selys, 1876) ♂ [1]

Pseudagrion rubriceps rubriceps (Selys, 1876) ♂ [2]

Fam. Lestidae
Indolestes inflatus

Fam. Platycnemididae

Coeliccia chromothorax (Selys, 1891) ♂ [2]

Copera ciliata (Selys, 1863) ♂ ♀ [extremely common]

Copera marginipes (Rambur, 1842) ♂♀ [common]

Fam. Protoneuridae

Prodasineura autumnalis (Fraser, 1922) ♂ ♀ [extremely common]

Prodasineura auricolor

Fam. Gomphidae

Ictinogomphus decoratus (Selys, 1854) ♂ [1 teneral]

Fam. Libellulidae

Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides (Rambur, 1842) ♂ ♀ [common]
Agrionoptera insignis (Rambur, 1842)
Brachydiplax farinosa (Krüger 1902) ♂ ♀ [♂ common]

Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793) ♂ ♀ [common]

Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773) ♂ ♀ [fairly common]

Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) ♂ ♀ [fairly common]

Indothemis limbata (Selys, 1891) ♂ [♂ common]

Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842) ♂ [1 teneral]

Orthetrum sabina sabina (Drury, 1770) ♂♀ [fairly common]

Pseudothemis jorina Förster, 1904

Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798) ♂ [1]

Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) ♂ ♀ [extremely common]

Location 2: Stream at the Heaquarters, Nam Nao National Park, Petchabun. 

Date: Saturday, 8th September, 2012.
Weather: Heavily overcast with monsoon conditions

Expectations of recording additional species (for my list): medium

Leech bites: 0 

Once I had arrived at the stream, I was hoping to spot a new species or two, but didn't expect anything. The stream was up about 6 inches and chocolate brown compared to that of my last trip. However, my spirits - though dampened by the weather - were still fairly high. In fact, there were one or two common damselflies buzzing around in a bright opening (which didn't last long). I also saw a male Zygonyx iris malayana, darting around at an amazing speed - even for that species! Within a few metres of the entrance I was amazed to see another Rhinagrion hainanense (kindly confirmed by Oleg!). This was about 5-600 metres from where I saw the last one. He was perched on a branch about 0.5 metres above the stream. He wasn't easily scared and I was able to get fairly close to him. If I did disturb him, he would simply fly to a stump close by which had a large hole in it. He would search around the area then return. Eventually, I continued as did the rain. Most of the common species that were around had now disappeared. However, I was amazed to find a second R. hainanense and then another and another ... 4 to be precise. All about 10-20 metres apart. Sometimes they would come into contact with each other and have a little dance. I made my way along the stream, but it was getting darker and darker - those big clouds were looming. As the clouds approached, I too neared the area where I had spotted a good number of species on my last trip - including my first encounter with Rhinagrion hainanense at Nam Nao. I approached the same tree that spanned the stream, where I had spotted a male. As I neared I disturbed a male Merogomphus paviei and noticed a male Gomphidictinus perakensi perching above my head near the log. The water was still shallow enough to wade through and as I prepared myself to do so, I noticed yet another male  Rhinagrion hainanense. I photographed him and then reached the log. I noticed another male sitting on the log (now broken and had moved slightly probably due to an earlier storm). I hoped to see a female ... and as if by magic a female appeared from nowhere ... but then flew up slightly into the air. By doing this, she disturbed all the males and about 5-6 males from all areas appeared, one in particular followed her and hovered near her, arching his abdomen under his thorax to reveal his bright orange/red underside. A fleeting glimpse, but a female all the same. The weather was about to turn nasty. I was about to head back for the car, when I impulsively looking under the log - and there, I thought, was another female. The specimen was right under the log (which was about 12 inches above the water. Worse, it was at the fork of the log, so getting my camera anywhere near it was really tough. I was stood in the middle of the stream pondering my next move. I managed to feed the camera inside the fork of the log and, using the monopod just about got a few decent photos, though the flash didn't go off the first time. Indeed it was a female ... and she was ovipositing. I tried for around 20 minutes to get good photos, moving around from different angles. Unfortunately, she was in the most difficult place possible. I decided just to watch her. She continued for another few minutes, moving slowly around the underside of the log. Then another female turned up, and also started moving downwards into a similar position. Unfortunately, she didn't like my presence and flew into the branches above my head ... too high to take a photo. Eventually the first female finished and flew out of the log and onto a branch. She, too, was out of reach of my camera, but not my fingers! I managed to grab her wings. I managed to get a few good photos of her before the heavens opened. I dived for cover under a tree but the rain got harder and harder. I decided it was time to leave. I passed the 2nd female I had seen and she was still hanging on to a branch even though she was getting battered by the rain. 

I tried to return to the car park, yet the pathway had too become a stream. Soaking wet, I made it back to the car. It was only 2.00 p.m. so waited in hope that the rain would abate. Eventually, it obliged so I set off again. This time, however, the stream was more like a raging torrent of a river - it had risen about 12 or so inches in about 1 hour. I still made it back to the areas where the females were and I couldn't get near it - the stream was now licking at the base of the log ... maybe that was why the females were so active. 

So, not much in terms of new species. Yet, it turned out to be a great day watching the female at work.  

My best photos of the day:

Rhinagrion hainanense, male ... the 2nd I have seen at this stream.

... and another

Now in the hand, he played dead.

 Phwoah! That's what the females must think anyway. The male arches his abdomen under his thorax to reveal his colours when a female is present ... a bit like a scally with a pimped-up car, I suppose. 

Here's the same log that I saw the male for the first time in July. The water is higher now and coloured. 

Right at the base of the log and in the most awkward position ever, I could see a shadow ...

... and when the flash decided to work, the female was revealed - now with the blade of the ovipositor fully buried.

I managed to get my camera in front of the branch blocking my view and this was the best I could get.

Now in the hand ... what a beautiful thing she really is.

Nam Nao Headquarter's stream (added species from the last visit, bold; new species for the stream, blue; species not seen from last visit, red)

Family: Chlorocyphidae

Rhinocypha biforata (Selys, 1859) ♂ ♀ [very common]

Family: Euphaeidae

Euphaea ochracea (Selys, 1859) ♂ ♀ [♂ common]

Family: Megapodagriondae
Rhinagrion hainanense (Wilson & Reels, 2002) ♂♀ [♂ 10-12, ♀ 2] 

Family: Gomphidae

Gomphidictinus perakensi (Laidlaw, 1902) ♂ [1]  

Merogomphus paviei (Martin, 1904) ♂ [1] 

Family: Platycnemididae

Coeliccia didyma (Selys, 1863) ♂  [common]

Coeliccia c.f. loogali (Fraser in Laidlaw, 1932) ♂  [common]
Copera marginipes (Rambur, 1842) ♂ ♀ [very common]

Copera vittata (Selys, 1863) ♂ ♀ [common]

Family: Protoneuridae

Prodasineura auricolor

Family: Libellulidae

Zygonyx iris malayana (Selys, 1869) ♂ [1]