Gynacantha group

Family Aeshindae

Gynacantha bayadera
Selys 1891
Elevation 800 to 2000m
Abdomen length 45mm

Location Godavari, Pokhara lakes

A widespread species that turns up all over Asia - from New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and throughout North East India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its identifying feature is the lack of a black "T" on the upper frons. It flies at dusk and is a voracious carnivore. This one was found cruising up and down the road that goes to Pulchowki Peak (2764m) at an elevation of 1600m. Seen only at dusk from August through October.

Male

Gynacantha incisura 

Fraser 1935

Elevation 700 - 1900m

Abdomen Length 47mm

Location Godavari, Pokhara

I found this G. incisura on the doorstep one night in Godavari. It was attracted to the light but must have died in the night. At first, I was not sure it was G. incisura because the incised part was not very clear as depicted in Fraser's (1934) drawing. After looking at drawings by Asahina (1984) it was more convincing. They are crepuscular and found hanging from branches in the jungle during the day. Distribution is listed as Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand, and I expect it to show up elsewhere in the region. In Nepal, it is seen in Pokhara and the Kathmandu Valley.

Male

Female

Mating

Gynacantha khasiaca

MacLachlan, 1896

Elevation 200m
Abdomen Length 48-49mm

Location CNP

Rare find! It was deep in the Chitwan jungle and only spotted as it was disturbed. This is listed as data deficient because so little is known about its habits and numbers. This one was about 10m from the Rapti River in a very thick jungle. The regional distribution includes Bangladesh, Assam, and Myanmar.

Male