A Large Black Assassin Bug (Sycanus collaris)

Towards the end of October, 2014, I was out searching for dragonflies on the outskirts of Khon Kaen when I noticed an enormous Assassin Bug, Sycanus collaris, resting in the shade from the hot sun. It is the biggest I have seen and has seriously gruesome spines.

Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula grandis)

At the lower reaches of Nam Nao NP, Petchabun, I was searching for dragonflies along a very quiet stream when I saw a very large praying mantis floating in the stream. I thought it was dead. I picked it out and it was very much alive. I placed it back in the tree and went to take some photos, when it jumped in again. It did this 3-4 times until eventually it seemed to settle. No idea why. Anyway, I sent photos to Pisuth Ek-Amnuay and he IDd it as the Giant Asian Mantis or Hierodula grandis. I hope to see this species again, though not one that likes swimming! Many thanks to Pisuth for the ID.

 

Constantly cleaning after swimming!

 

 

It happily sat on my hand for long periods.

Here it was going for a mid-afternoon dip in the stream (again and again).

 

Mining Bee

Out and about in Khon Kaen back in December 2014, I came across a nicely coloured bee. It could be a Mining Bee, but I am not entirely sure. Any ideas?

 

 

Indian Flower Mantis (Creobroter gemmatus)

Whilst waist-deep in a small farmer's pond in Khon Kaen, I noticed a very different-looking mantis. I managed to get a few shots, though it was tiny, deep in the reeds and was fairly fast-moving. It turns out to be a nymph of the Indian Flower Mantis or Creobroter gemmatus. Strange, as I have never seen a mature one ... I will find one, one day.

 

Many thanks to Pisuth Ek-Amnuay for the ID.

 

 

Hong Kong Lantern Bug (Zanna chinensis)

Back in 2012, I was working my way around the Helicopter Pad Lake at Nam Nao NP, Petchabun and I noticed a large Lantern Bug resting amongst the grasses. It was later IDd by Noppadon Makbun as probably the Hong Kong Lantern Bug (or fly) Zanna chinensis. Not sure how common this species is (seems known from China), but it is the only one I have spotted. A beautiful species and well worth time out from dragonfly hunting.

 

Note: reading up on the species, what little information there is, records the fact that this species was spotted amongst the grasses, as this was. Possibly a preferred habitat over the usual tree stumps.

 

Malayan Snail-Eating Turtle (Malayemys macrocephala) ???

This turtle I saw back in 2011 at Khao Yai (Nakhorn Ratchasima), was much bigger than the other specimen I saw See Here. It is possible that it is not the sub-species Malayemys macrocephala and is in fact, the nominate sub-species Malayemys subtrijuda as it distinctly has an additional stripe on the eye. I need an expert to know for sure.  For now, I will keep it as the previous specimen as before, due to the location I saw it. Any advance on species?

 

Here you can see the additional stripe next to the eye.  

 

Now he's retreated back into the depths ...well, not quite yet ...

 

Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis)

At the start of January 2015, there was a commotion in the school playground. A terrapin (or turtle) had found its way into the school pond and was now climbing out. I managed to take a few photos with my phone and then posted them on Facebook (Siamensis Group). Marcus Ng rapidly responded with an ID: the Malayan Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis. (It is also known as the Southeast Asian Box Turtle).

 

It was a fairly big turtle and was identifiable through its domed shell and distinctive stripes on the head. I hope to see another one day and shot it with my proper camera. Many thanks to Marcus for the ID.