April 2 - Huu Lien and first gomphids

April 2 was a nice spring day to look for the first gomphids of the season in Huu Lien Nature Reserve. As always, the first impression was of clearance progressing, but like last year end of March, Trigomphus kompieri was about at various locations. The first I bumped into was a female, but like last year, I could not catch it and did not get a picture! Trigomphus is genus of early gomphids. Paragomphus may actually be year round, although rare in the winter, I think they may be around. Anyway, there was a male about too, interacting with the Trigomphus. I also saw quite a few Paracercion melanotum and fully mature Gynacantha subinterrupta. Below a few photos.

The first male Trigomphus kompieri of the day, a little difficult to get a clear shot.

And the third. Somewhat easier. The second eluded the camera.

Paragomphus capricornis against a muddy stream background.

Paracercion melanotum male

And Gynacantha subinterrupta showing well

Paragomphus capricornis female

Striking Paragomphus capricornis is not a rare species, but at least it is also a beautiful species. I already published a male a little while back. On August 25 I caught what up to now was the last one of the season and it was a female. After a quick in hand shot I released it to hopefully oviposit many eggs, leading to many little Paragomphus capricornisses. We will see next year.

Paragomphus capricornis, female

Two other cool Gomphids on July 23

The gomphids of Ba Be encountered on the 23rd of July have been the topic of the recent posts and we have not come to the end of them! The same stream that produced Gomphidia kruegeri and Melligomphus sp. also had the following two Gomphidae.

The first is a common species, not particularly restricted to the prettiest streams. I also encountered it amongst the rice fields near Cuc Phuong, emerging from a ditch, and near Tam Dao. But it is a marvelous creature, this Paragomphus capricornis. The females have similar thorax pattern and the large abdominal rings.

Paragomphus capricornis, male

The other species is somewhat reminiscent of the North American Spiderlegs, because of its extremely long hind legs. This is the only time I saw it, so I do not know how common it is, but it is a widely spread species in Southeast Asia and called Merogomphus paviei.

Talk about disproportional legs! Merogomphus paviei, male

Close-up of thorax and head

Ventral view of appendages