159: Matrona nigripectus (Selys, 1879)

Number: 159 / Family: Calopterygidae / Genus: Matrona

Species: Matrona nigripectus / Common name(s): Blue-based Jewelwing*

Habitat: Forested Streams

Province(s) sighted: Chiang Mai

In flight: October / Sightings (by me):  Uncommon

Species easily confused with: Neurobasis chinensis chinensis

*As there is no common name, I have used 'Blue-based' from the Thai name and given the genus the name 'Jewelwing'.

A northern species that I have always wanted to see and one that is simply divine, is Matrona nigripectus. My chance came recently to go to Chiang Mai (where it can be found). Though I didn't have that much time to search, I knew where it could be (thanks to Noppadon Makbun). Looking at references and pictures, however, I couldn't spot the difference between that species and N. chinensis, a similar-looking but common species, though no less beautiful. It looks almost identical on small online photos. Noppadon explained that in the field the wings are darker and broader ... then he let me in on a secret. Wait for it to fly. The inside of the wings are black and irredescent blue (N. chinensis is bright green with black tips). I began my search and, amazingly, on a seriously quiet and wet day, I found a male hiding under a wooden footbridge and he allowed me to snap away; even get some shots of him with his wings opening (hopefully this will help anyone else trying to see the difference between the two species). In all honesty, when you see the two species together (they live side-by-side) it is easy to separate them, as M. nigripectus is bigger all-round and the green colouring of the abdomen is much brighter in my opinion. So, even though I only saw this species and didn't even get to spot the female, I am well-chuffed (meaning 'very happy' in Northern English dialect). And who wouldn't be spotting a beautiful creature like this?

The Male

Superficially, it looks a little like Neurobasis chinensis. However, the wings are blackish in colour, rather than metallic green - however, the real telltale is when it opens its wings as the wing bases inside are a wonderful blueish colour.

And here is his hidden beauty... check out that shimmering blue!

If you visit Chiang Mai late in the year (October to December), you MUST visit this species at Doi Suthep - but tell me where the females are!

151: Rhinocypha arguta (Hämäläinen & Divasiri, 1997)

Number: 151

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.

149: Protosticta medusa (Fraser, 1934)

Number: 149

Family: Platystictidae

Genus:  Protosticta

Species:  Protosticta medusa

Common name(s): N/A

Thai name(s): แมลงปอเข็มรำไรเมดูซา

Habitat: Extremely darkened areas in forested streams

Province(s) sighted: Sai Yok Yai Waterfall (Kanchanaburi)

Sightings (by me): Rare

In flight (that I have seen): August

Following a difficult day at Erawan (seriously dark with heavy rain, mud and tourists), I decided to venture to a place I had been to once before. Again, it was extremely quiet on the odonata front and the heavens opened within about 5 minutes of my arrival. Fortunately, there was a break in the weather and I was able to search gingerly. The place was totally void of odonata ... well, not quite. Under a tree and heavily shaded, almost black, was a solitary damselfly. And I knew it was a new species straight away, due to its rather distinct caudal appendages. 

Searching the Internet when I returned home, I think it is Protosticta medusa. I only saw this solitary male, but did get a fleeting glimpse of the female. She came into view (near the same tree) and the male [I was photographing] swooped down onto her and then carried her high up into the trees. And that was it. I didn't see another male or female for that matter, even though I continued for long periods. Still, I got pretty good shots of the male. 

The male

It looks similar to many other species in the genus. However, its caudal appendages and highly distinctive and large. It also seems to have some kind of feather thing (???) above the caudal appendages, though I'm not sure what this is, or what it is used for.

Caudal appendages ...

Here you can see just how complex the caudal appendages are. Also, you can see the little feather-like protrusion coming out of the top. Any ideas what this is for???

141: Rhinagrion hainanense (Wilson & Reels, 2001)

Number: 141

Family: Philosinidae

Genus:  Rhinagrion
Species: Rhinagrion hainanense
Common name(s): N/A
Thai name(s): Unknown
Habitat: Heavily tree-covered (extremely low-light) uplands streams
Province(s) sighted: Above Huew Sawat waterfall, Khao Yai NP (Nakhon Ratchasima); Stream at headquarters, Nam Nam Nao NP, (Petchabun)
Sightings (by me): Uncommon
In flight (that I have seen): July-October (though probably longer)

On my last day at Khao Yai, I decided to visit Huew Sawat Waterfall (spelling?). There were millions of tourists and so decided to search above the waterfall, where it was much quieter. Within a few metres of walking, I noticed a  Rhinagrion sp. above me on a tree trunk in almost darkness. I first thought it would be Rhinagrion viridatum. However, it almost flew straight into my face and I noticed just how vivid its blue face was. I waited for him to return to the same spot (as they all seem to do if you are quiet) and he did. I managed to get a few, half-decent photos in almost complete darkness. When I looked at the photos, I noticed that the thoracic markings were different and the colours were very different (especially the bright red underside of the last few segments and the whitish claspers. I closed in silently, until crack!... I stood on a large twig. Amazingly, he flew upwards and then landed on my hand (I was next to his tree). He was on my hand without the camera, so had to work carefully and I managed to catch him.

As it turns out, it's Rhinagrion hainanense, which has been described recently and comes from Vietnam and Laos. First thing I would like to do, is thank Sebastien Delongee for providing information which should have led me to the correct ID, but I was ignorant. It took Oleg Kosterin to believe... thanks to you both... and Noppadon Makbun for your input.  

Since I noticed this first male at Khao Yai, a healthy population of males and 2 females at the stream running through the headquarters, Nam Nao, Petchabun. Here, all the males were perched in extremely darkened areas, about 0.5 metres above the stream. I was lucky enough not only to spot them, but they were willing to let me get some decent photos in their natural positions.

This male decided to set up in the only bright spot along the whole stream.

Here, you can see the more yellow/green markings on the head, as opposed to the bright blue variation at Khao Yai.

Now in the hand ... and playing dead!

Here's the first male I saw at Nam Nao (not fully mature - it's not as dark) ...

The pimped-up BMW of the R. hainanense world - the males arch their abdomens under their thorax to display their bright colours, when a female is around or when another male threatens their territory.

Khao Yai specimen

Here's the male I saw at Khao Yai (July 2011). Almost identical. However, there are a couple of subtle differences (enough to make me think that it could be a sub-species at first). The markings on the head were blue and not green, probably just at a different stage. The caudal appendages are also whitish dorsally, whereas they are blueish on the Nam Nao males.

A shot of the Khao Yai specimen's head. The blue markings had a metallic look to them and really stood out.

The head from a different angle.

The female (Nam Nao) ...

I first saw a female at Nam Nao in October 2011. However, it was too difficult to pinpoint the exact species. Fortunately, since I have now spotted a number of males, I could confidently identify the female. Furthermore, I eventually managed to get half-decent photos of a female ovipositing at the base of a log overhanging the stream at Nam Nao (see below). Fortunately, I was also able to catch her with my fingers once she had finished ovipositing. 

Here's the first thing I saw ... a shadow.

When the flash finally decided to fire, I could see that it was a female and it was ovipositing (you can clearly see the ovipositor protruding in the dark photo).

Unfortunately, she was situated right below the scissors of the trunk and I couldn't get a decent photo. This was the best I could achieve in her natural position.

Here's the log where she oviposited (at the base where it scissors). 

Now in the hand ... I could even be the first person to spot a female, let alone photograph and handle one.

Caudal appendages, close up ...

Once again, many thanks to Sebastian Delongee, Oleg Kosterin and Noppadon Makbun for your tireless work!

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" :)