Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from NorthEast Odonata > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, November 7 at 10:07 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Yucatan Wren,©Barry Kent Mackay

7 Nov paper acquired [Dennis Paulson ] 6 Nov paper request [Dennis Paulson ] 04 Nov Late Odes Maine [James MacDougall ] 3 Nov RE: New Book(s) ... ["Intl Odonata Research Inst" ] 3 Nov New Book(s) ... ["Quackenbush, J Kevin" ] 3 Nov For New Yorkers ["MARIE HEMEON" ] 28 Oct New Jersey Odonata Field Guide pre-orders being taken [Allen Barlow ] 15 Oct Spam e-mail [Robert Packard ] 11 Oct Re: Clubtail ID? [Dennis Paulson ] 11 Oct Clubtail ID? [Y Mer ] 8 Oct Re: Identification help [] 8 Oct Identification help [4 Attachments] ["Hunts" ] 07 Oct Re: Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... [Blair Nikula ] 6 Oct video of Cordulegaster erronea (Tiger Spiketail) ["John and Sue Gregoire" ] 4 Oct Re: Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... [] 4 Oct Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... ["Quackenbush, J Kevin" ] 4 Oct Epiaeshna heros ["John and Sue Gregoire" ] 3 Oct Re: Late season Swamp Darner [Earle Baldwin ] 03 Oct Late season Swamp Darner ["Michelle St.Sauveur" ] 30 Sep Re: Lestes ["Steve Walter" ] 30 Sep Re: Lestes [Steven Price ] 30 Sep Re: Lestes [Dennis Paulson ] 30 Sep Lestes [Steven Price ] 30 Sep Lestes [Steven Price ] 28 Sep Re: ID Help [Allen Barlow ] 27 Sep Fw: ID Help [Glenn Corbiere ] 27 Sep ID Help ["Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" ] 22 Sep Re: Interspecies mating ["Steve Walter" ] 21 Sep Fw: ID Help [Glenn Corbiere ] 21 Sep ID Help [4 Attachments] [Ginny Alfano ] 21 Sep Re: Identification Help Requested [Glenn Corbiere ] 21 Sep Odes in Hillsborough NH Sunday ["PAMELA HUNT" ] 21 Sep Interspecies mating [1 Attachment] [Bob Moul ] 21 Sep Re: Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) [Dennis Paulson ] 21 Sep Identification Help Requested [2 Attachments] ["Hunts" ] 21 Sep Re: Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) [Glenn Corbiere ] 21 Sep Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) [Tom Young ] 19 Sep Ae. subarctica ["D W Bridgehouse" ] 18 Sep Aeshna subartica [1 Attachment] ["John and Sue Gregoire" ] 17 Sep Zigzag Darner, Aeshna sitchensis in Southern Ontario ["D&Y Bree" ] 14 Sep Re: Newbie pictures ["mary b. ffolliott" ] 14 Sep Newbie pictures ["Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" ] 12 Sep Identification queries [Simon Tickle ] 10 Sep Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina [2 Attachments] [] 09 Sep Re: Another example of predator becoming prey [June Tveekrem ] 9 Sep Re: Sites for Odes [Glenn Corbiere ] 09 Sep Sites for Odes [] 8 Sep Another example of predator becoming prey [1 Attachment] [] 06 Sep Re: Aeshna clepsydra. ["Steve Walter" ] 06 Sep Saturday Odonates on local Creeks ["asiootusloe" ] 5 Sep Aeshna clepsydra. ["MARIE HEMEON" ] 30 Aug Decent day for observation ... ["Quackenbush, J Kevin" ] 29 Aug Re: Dragonflies in Ballparks ["Steve Walter" ] 29 Aug Re: Dragonflies in Ballparks [Dennis Paulson ] 29 Aug Dragonflies in Ballparks ["Steve Walter" ] 24 Aug RE: Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) ["Chip Krilowicz" ] 24 Aug Fw: Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [Glenn Corbiere ] 24 Aug Re: The dragon doesn't always win. [Hal White ] 23 Aug The dragon doesn't always win. [1 Attachment] [Bob Moul ] 23 Aug Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment] ["Chip Krilowicz" ] 21 Aug Fwd: Re: Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer [] 20 Aug Re: Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer [Dennis Paulson ] 20 Aug Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer ["mrcnaturally" ] 19 Aug Re: dragonfly migration [Glenn Corbiere ] 19 Aug Re: dragonfly migration [Glenn Corbiere ] 19 Aug dragonfly migration ["John and Sue Gregoire" ] 19 Aug Darner Fallout - Swarms ["Quackenbush, J Kevin" ] 19 Aug Re: Darner Fallout ["Poropat/Fraser" ] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout [] 18 Aug Fwd: Darner Fallout [] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout [Dennis Paulson ] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout ["mary b. ffolliott" ] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout [Carolyn King ] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout [] 18 Aug Re: Darner Fallout [Glenn Corbiere ] 18 Aug Darner Fallout ["ymerriamphoto" ] Subject: paper acquired From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:07:29 -0800 Hello, all. Thanks for all the responses I got when I asked about a Northeast Naturalist paper yesterday. Steve Collins had a pdf of it and sent it to me, so I'm happy. This certainly shows one of the wonderful aspects of the internet and of lists such as this! Dennis ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: paper request From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:11:09 -0800 Does anyone on this list know how I can get a copy of this paper? Gibbs, K. E., B. Bradeen, & D. Boland. 2004. Spatial and temporal segregation among six species of coexisting Ophiogomphus (Odonata: Gomphidae) in the Aroostook River, Maine. Northeastern Naturalist 11 (3): 295-312. Thanks! Dennis ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Late Odes Maine From: James MacDougall <jm3 AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:08:37 -0500 Hi Yesterday in China, Maine, I saw 3 Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk) and a darner that I could not see well since it was flying and backlit. No butterflies. Jim MacDougall Campmeeting Road Topsfield, Mass. 978-857-6826 http://web.mac.com/jm3/ Subject: RE: New Book(s) ... From: "Intl Odonata Research Inst" <iodonata AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:13:35 -0500 The revised edition of the Df of N.A. will be out in about 1 - 1 /2 years Advanced orders will be taken through this web site once its publication date and price are secured. Bill Mauffray International Odonata Research Institute PO Box 147100 Gainesville FL 32614-7100 352-219-3141 cell iodonata AT bellsouth.net http://www.iodonata.net _____ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Quackenbush, J Kevin Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:31 PM To: NEodes Subject: [NEodes] New Book(s) ... All, Alas, the cold is upon us. (More) Time for books ! Does anyone know if there is a new(est) revised version [i.e. newer than the 2000 version] of Needham, J.G.; Westfall, M.J.; May, M.L. Dragonflies of North America (Revised Edition) ... coming out ... soon ? And, if so ... does anyone know how to pre-order ? Any comments on the 2000 version ? Also, book related ... Can anyone suggest a best field guide (or, other literature source) for N. American (preferably New England) Odonate Exuviae identification ? Thanks, Quack J. Kevin Quackenbush Principal Conductivity/Resistivity & Sr. Application Specialist Invensys - Foxboro / E'Chem. Analytical TAC Agis quod Adis DragonHunter _____ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 7:55 PM To: Y Mer Cc: NEodes Subject: Re: [NEodes] Clubtail ID? Hi, Yvonne. My best guess as to the identity of your Gomphus is Gomphus spicatus, Dusky Clubtail. I can see nothing about it that would eliminate that species, which is common in northeastern lakes. Dennis On Oct 11, 2009, at 4:17 PM, Y Mer wrote: I am hoping for any help in identification of what I think is a Gomphus sp. that I found in Central NY in June. Instead of posting the pic here, I am linking to my galleries for a close-up view (please click on Original size format just below the image at pbase). http://www.pbase. com/4dabirds/image/113671892 I thought it freshly emerged because of wing position. Despite it being on my website for months, as well as an ID inquiry on BugGuide, I still am unsure of it's identity. It was located on a trail bisecting meadows and mixed woods several acres from water at the Beaver Lake Nature Center near Baldwinsville in Onondaga County, NY. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Yvonne Merriam ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com Photo galleries may be viewed by clicking: http://www.pbase. com/4dabirds .-- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net _____ *** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email comes from a division of the Invensys Group, owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys .com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). _____ Subject: New Book(s) ... From: "Quackenbush, J Kevin" <jquacken AT foxboro.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:30:46 -0500 All, Alas, the cold is upon us. (More) Time for books ! Does anyone know if there is a new(est) revised version [i.e. newer than the 2000 version] of Needham, J.G.; Westfall, M.J.; May, M.L. Dragonflies of North America (Revised Edition) ... coming out ... soon ? And, if so ... does anyone know how to pre-order ? Any comments on the 2000 version ? Also, book related ... Can anyone suggest a best field guide (or, other literature source) for N. American (preferably New England) Odonate Exuviae identification ? Thanks, Quack J. Kevin Quackenbush Principal Conductivity/Resistivity & Sr. Application Specialist Invensys - Foxboro / E'Chem. Analytical TAC Agis quod Adis DragonHunter ________________________________ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 7:55 PM To: Y Mer Cc: NEodes Subject: Re: [NEodes] Clubtail ID? Hi, Yvonne. My best guess as to the identity of your Gomphus is Gomphus spicatus, Dusky Clubtail. I can see nothing about it that would eliminate that species, which is common in northeastern lakes. Dennis On Oct 11, 2009, at 4:17 PM, Y Mer wrote: I am hoping for any help in identification of what I think is a Gomphus sp. that I found in Central NY in June. Instead of posting the pic here, I am linking to my galleries for a close-up view (please click on Original size format just below the image at pbase). http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds/image/113671892 I thought it freshly emerged because of wing position. Despite it being on my website for months, as well as an ID inquiry on BugGuide, I still am unsure of it's identity. It was located on a trail bisecting meadows and mixed woods several acres from water at the Beaver Lake Nature Center near Baldwinsville in Onondaga County, NY. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Yvonne Merriam ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com Photo galleries may be viewed by clicking: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds .-- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net *** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email comes from a division of the Invensys Group, owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). Subject: For New Yorkers From: "MARIE HEMEON" <mariekevinhemeon AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 07:15:46 -0500 This may be off topic unless they would have to cut through a bog or other wetland but, I don't think it is too far removed. It is amazing the difficulty to do something so common sense. From Audubon: Tupper Lake has suffered for more than a decade with a single power supply line, which often fails in storms and in the winter. A new additional power line is in development that would bring hydro power to Tupper Lake and improve reliability. To avoid a 6 mile detour around State Forest Preserve Land that would fragment old growth forest and cut through endangered Spruce Grouse habitat, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and National Grid have proposed locating the line along the roadside of Rt. 56, going through 6 acres of Forest Preserve land found along the roadside that doesn't contain any unique natural resources. In exchange for this 6 acres, the company will purchase at least 10 acres (and up to 43 acres) of forest land for inclusion into the state's Forest Preserve. In order for this important land swap to be authorized, a constitutional amendment is required to be approved by the voters. Proposition 1 on the ballot this Tuesday would authorize this deal, and we strongly urge our members to vote yes on this important proposal to protect the ecological integrity of the Adirondack Park and provide the people of Tupper Lake with more reliable power. Please forward this announcement on to other registered voters in New York. Subject: New Jersey Odonata Field Guide pre-orders being taken From: Allen Barlow <allenb.cwf AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:10:36 -0400 Hi All, Many of you had probably given up on this book ever becoming a reality. After much frustration and many false starts it is finally set for shipment in mid-November. The attached link will provide anyone interested with a simple way to purchase a copy (or more if you want!). I am told that shipping is being waived on pre-orders so don't be shy. to order: http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/explorations/fall09/Guide.html Best, -- Allen Barlow Subject: Spam e-mail From: Robert Packard <packardr90 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:32:19 +0000 Hi all, if you get a message from me titled Hi, e, or Hi, 7, don't open it. It is a spam e-mail. I will be changing my e-mail address shortly Sorry, Bob Bob Packard Riverside, CA packardr90 AT hotmail.com Subject: Re: Clubtail ID? From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:54:55 -0700 Hi, Yvonne. My best guess as to the identity of your Gomphus is Gomphus spicatus, Dusky Clubtail. I can see nothing about it that would eliminate that species, which is common in northeastern lakes. Dennis On Oct 11, 2009, at 4:17 PM, Y Mer wrote: > I am hoping for any help in identification of what I think is a > Gomphus sp. that I found in Central NY in June. Instead of posting > the pic here, I am linking to my galleries for a close-up view > (please click on Original size format just below the image at pbase). > > http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds/image/113671892 > > I thought it freshly emerged because of wing position. Despite it > being on my website for months, as well as an ID inquiry on > BugGuide, I still am unsure of it's identity. It was located on a > trail bisecting meadows and mixed woods several acres from water at > the Beaver Lake Nature Center near Baldwinsville in Onondaga County, > NY. > > Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. > > Yvonne Merriam > ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com > > Photo galleries may be viewed by clicking: > > http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds > > > .-- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Clubtail ID? From: Y Mer <ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:17:18 -0700 (PDT) I am hoping for any help in identification of what I think is a Gomphus sp. that I found in Central NY in June. Instead of posting the pic here, I am linking to my galleries for a close-up view (please click on Original size format just below the image at pbase). http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds/image/113671892 I thought it freshly emerged because of wing position. Despite it being on my website for months, as well as an ID inquiry on BugGuide, I still am unsure of it's identity. It was located on a trail bisecting meadows and mixed woods several acres from water at the Beaver Lake Nature Center near Baldwinsville in Onondaga County, NY. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Yvonne Merriam ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com Photo galleries may be viewed by clicking: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds Subject: Re: Identification help From: opihi AT mindspring.com Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 21:27:49 -0400 (GMT-04:00) Subject: Identification help [4 Attachments] From: "Hunts" <hph1 AT atlanticbb.net> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 20:42:39 -0400 Hi, I was wondering if anyone might be able to help with the identification of this dragonfly. I took these photos last Sunday, October 4, in Talbot County, Maryland. There were a number of these fellows in a marshy area at a small cove at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. When I first saw the red abdomens, I thought they were a species of meadowhawk (Sympetrum spp.). But, when I looked more closely and saw the green face, blue eyes, and brown/green of the thorax and shoulders, I wasn't sure what they were. Hopefully I'm providing photos from enough angles (and with good enough quality) to assist with identification. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Harry Hunt Johnstown, PA Subject: Re: Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... From: Blair Nikula <odenews AT odenews.org> Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:53:04 -0400 County records for Massachusetts are on the Ode News web site at: http://www.odenews.org/county1.htm I believe this list is up to date, but if anyone notes any omissions, please let me know. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no one is tracking early and late dates in Massachusetts, though some of that information can be gleaned from past issues of Ode News. I'm not aware of any October Swamp Darner records in MA. County and flight dates for Connecticut are at: http://ghostmoth.eeb.uconn.edu/dragons/records.pdf This apparently was last updated in May, 2007. The late date they have listed for Swamp Darner is 14 October. There is also a 7 October record from CT. So, Michelle's bug, although certainly very late, is not quite record late for southern New England (though it may be for RI). I assume similar data was collected for the Rhode Island Atlas a few years ago, but, unfortunately, this data has not yet been published (to my knowledge). Blair Nikula At 10:04 PM 10/4/2009, Quackenbush, J Kevin wrote: > > >Michelle … most excellent. And, your question >about the possibility of a record date touches >on another question, which perhaps someone among >the group can answer … be it for Rhode Island or >Massachusetts … i.e. who maintains and/or where >might I (we) obtain a listing of Ode’s by county >for each State … and, e.g. early/late dates ? > >I re-call seeing something like this in past Ode >News (Blair, if you’re reading … well missed), >but have not stumbled on that info anywhere else. > > > >Any assistance much appreciated ! > >Regards all, > >Quack > > > >From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com >[mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michelle St.Sauveur >Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 5:50 AM >To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com >Subject: [NEodes] Late season Swamp Darner > > > > > >On Friday 10/2/09 I photographed a female Swamp >Darner (Epiaeschna heros) at Trustom Pond >National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown, >Rhode Island. According to my field guides, the >normal flight season of this species runs >through to about early September. I'm wondering >if anyone knows if this is a record late date for A. heros. > >Here's a link to the photo ... > >http://picasaweb.google.com/michellelynnsts/EpiaeschnaHerosSwampDarner# > >Michelle St.Sauveur >Coventry, RI > > >---------- >*** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, >including any associated or attached files, is >intended solely for the individual or entity to >which it is addressed. This e-mail is >confidential and may well also be legally >privileged. If you have received it in error, >you are on notice of its status. Please notify >the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then >delete this message from your system. Please do >not copy it or use it for any purposes, or >disclose its contents to any other person. This >email comes from a division of the Invensys >Group, owned by Invensys plc, which is a company >registered in England and Wales with its >registered office at Portland House, Bressenden >Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number >166023). For a list of European legal entities >within the Invensys Group, please go to >http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. > >You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 >3848 or e-mail >inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. >This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be >subject to the terms of any agreements between >Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and >affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). > >---------- > > 2 Gilbert Lane Harwich Port, MA 02646 USA mailto:odenews AT odenews.org web site: http://www.odenews.org/ Subject: video of Cordulegaster erronea (Tiger Spiketail) From: "John and Sue Gregoire" <khmo AT empacc.net> Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 10:10:56 -0400 David Maskowitz has created a delightful video of C. erronea performing mating rituals. If you go to this link, his website, and scroll to the bottom left, click on the link that says: Recent Videos Mate recognition and mating... http://www.bugaddiction.com/ I hope this works for you all. Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: Re: Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... From: opihi AT mindspring.com Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 22:49:34 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Late season Swamp Darner and County records ... From: "Quackenbush, J Kevin" <jquacken AT foxboro.com> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 22:04:46 -0400 Michelle ... most excellent. And, your question about the possibility of a record date touches on another question, which perhaps someone among the group can answer ... be it for Rhode Island or Massachusetts ... i.e. who maintains and/or where might I (we) obtain a listing of Ode's by county for each State ... and, e.g. early/late dates ? I re-call seeing something like this in past Ode News (Blair, if you're reading ... well missed), but have not stumbled on that info anywhere else. Any assistance much appreciated ! Regards all, Quack ________________________________ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michelle St.Sauveur Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 5:50 AM To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEodes] Late season Swamp Darner On Friday 10/2/09 I photographed a female Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. According to my field guides, the normal flight season of this species runs through to about early September. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is a record late date for A. heros. Here's a link to the photo ... http://picasaweb.google.com/michellelynnsts/EpiaeschnaHerosSwampDarner# Michelle St.Sauveur Coventry, RI *** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email comes from a division of the Invensys Group, owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). Subject: Epiaeshna heros From: "John and Sue Gregoire" <khmo AT empacc.net> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 09:38:37 -0400 That's a great photo. Superb job on the focal point. And yes, this is way late. It got me thinking: I watched 4 E. heros ovipositing in wet logs in a small woodland pond this summer (end of June). The water level has dropped steadily since then. Am I correct in thinking that the eggs won't hatch until the water level comes back up in the spring and submerges these logs? I have two exuviae I collected on 8 August one year and they are huge, much larger than Anax junius (Green Darner). So do they do all their growing in the spring and summer or do they take two years to mature? I suspect the latter. Anyone know? Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: Re: Late season Swamp Darner From: Earle Baldwin <earlebaldwin AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 09:38:50 -0400 an unusual look in this remarkable photo, This is wonderful On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 5:50 AM, Michelle St.Sauveur wrote: > > > On Friday 10/2/09 I photographed a female Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) > at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. > According to my field guides, the normal flight season of this species runs > through to about early September. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is a > record late date for A. heros. > > Here's a link to the photo ... > > http://picasaweb.google.com/michellelynnsts/EpiaeschnaHerosSwampDarner# > > Michelle St.Sauveur > Coventry, RI > > > Subject: Late season Swamp Darner From: "Michelle St.Sauveur" <bittern AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:50:21 -0000 On Friday 10/2/09 I photographed a female Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. According to my field guides, the normal flight season of this species runs through to about early September. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is a record late date for A. heros. Here's a link to the photo ... http://picasaweb.google.com/michellelynnsts/EpiaeschnaHerosSwampDarner# Michelle St.Sauveur Coventry, RI Subject: Re: Lestes From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:11:44 -0400 I'm curious about your spreadwing's habitat. I know of a population that lingers through September on Long Island, on a large sand bottomed lake. (I go to this lake to see the only known Sympetrum costiferum population in southern New York). The spreadwings here took me by surprise when I first encountered them, because they were obviously not the species that are typical of this season (rectangularis, congener, forcipatus) and they were pruinose. Their large size and terminal appendages suggested Swamp (vigilax) (and in fact, I do have pictures from this site of individuals showing traces of green on the thorax). I surmised that Swamp is very slow in attaining pruinosity. In most places they may die off without becoming pruinose, but this population persisted long enough to do so. I posted images several years through this forum and the general thought was this it was Swamp. Steve Walter Bayside, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: Steven Price To: Dennis Paulson Cc: NEodes group Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Lestes Thank you very much, Dennis. My initial thought was Swamp, but then I questioned the shape of the basal plate and the fact that she's ovipositing alone (not sure how variable those traits are). I believe Amber-winged are no longer flying in my neck of the woods, but I suppose that's variable too. Has anyone seen Amber-winged this late in the season in MA or anywhere in New England? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Dennis Paulson To: Steven Price Cc: NE Odes Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:52:53 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Lestes Steve, The tricolored eyes make me wonder if it might be Swamp or Elegant. I've never seen a female of either with pruinose thorax, but spreadwings definitely vary in that characteristic in both males and females. Mature Sweetflag and Northern females can have either striped or solidly pruinose thorax, and maybe this can occur in other species. The dark tibiae might eliminate Elegant, making Swamp more likely. But I think Amber-winged should be considered as a possibility also, as male Amber-winged develop a very pruinose thorax, unlike both Swamp and Elegant. I'm not sure if the wings are too unpigmented to be that species, but all the darned spreadwings vary. I don't think any other species can have yellow on the ventral surface of the eyes, but perhaps that is variable too! Identifying it might depend on others in your part of the world having evidence of pruinose females in any of those species. If yours is the first, ID may be difficult or impossible, which is a shame. Dennis On Sep 30, 2009, at 11:08 AM, Steven Price wrote: Oops, I forgot the link. There are 6 images in all. The other five are to the right of this one: http://picasaweb. google.com/ eggshapedcat/ Damselflies# 5387310404940869 394 . ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Lestes From: Steven Price <eggshapedcat AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:04:06 -0700 (PDT) Thank you very much, Dennis.  My initial thought was Swamp, but then I questioned the shape of the basal plate and the fact that she's ovipositing alone (not sure how variable those traits are).  I believe Amber-winged are no longer flying in my neck of the woods, but I suppose that's variable too.  Has anyone seen Amber-winged this late in the season in MA or anywhere in New England? ________________________________ From: Dennis Paulson To: Steven Price Cc: NE Odes Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:52:53 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Lestes   Steve, The tricolored eyes make me wonder if it might be Swamp or Elegant. I've never seen a female of either with pruinose thorax, but spreadwings definitely vary in that characteristic in both males and females. Mature Sweetflag and Northern females can have either striped or solidly pruinose thorax, and maybe this can occur in other species. The dark tibiae might eliminate Elegant, making Swamp more likely. But I think Amber-winged should be considered as a possibility also, as male Amber-winged develop a very pruinose thorax, unlike both Swamp and Elegant. I'm not sure if the wings are too unpigmented to be that species, but all the darned spreadwings vary. I don't think any other species can have yellow on the ventral surface of the eyes, but perhaps that is variable too! Identifying it might depend on others in your part of the world having evidence of pruinose females in any of those species. If yours is the first, ID may be difficult or impossible, which is a shame. Dennis On Sep 30, 2009, at 11:08 AM, Steven Price wrote: > >Oops, I forgot the link.  There are 6 images in all.  The other five are to the right of this one: >http://picasaweb. google.com/ eggshapedcat/ Damselflies# 5387310404940869 394 >.  > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Lestes From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:52:53 -0700 Steve, The tricolored eyes make me wonder if it might be Swamp or Elegant. I've never seen a female of either with pruinose thorax, but spreadwings definitely vary in that characteristic in both males and females. Mature Sweetflag and Northern females can have either striped or solidly pruinose thorax, and maybe this can occur in other species. The dark tibiae might eliminate Elegant, making Swamp more likely. But I think Amber-winged should be considered as a possibility also, as male Amber-winged develop a very pruinose thorax, unlike both Swamp and Elegant. I'm not sure if the wings are too unpigmented to be that species, but all the darned spreadwings vary. I don't think any other species can have yellow on the ventral surface of the eyes, but perhaps that is variable too! Identifying it might depend on others in your part of the world having evidence of pruinose females in any of those species. If yours is the first, ID may be difficult or impossible, which is a shame. Dennis On Sep 30, 2009, at 11:08 AM, Steven Price wrote: > > Oops, I forgot the link. There are 6 images in all. The other five > are to the right of this one: > http://picasaweb.google.com/eggshapedcat/Damselflies#5387310404940869394 > . > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Lestes From: Steven Price <eggshapedcat AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:08:12 -0700 (PDT) Oops, I forgot the link.  There are 6 images in all.  The other five are to the right of this one: http://picasaweb.google.com/eggshapedcat/Damselflies#5387310404940869394 Subject: Lestes From: Steven Price <eggshapedcat AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:33:41 -0700 (PDT) Hello everyone,   I had an interesting Lestes (Spreadwing) yesterday 29 SEPT 2009 in Devens, MA (Middlesex Co).  She was ovipositing solo, but certainly appeared to be anything but L. rectangularis (Slender Spreadwing).  I still have to pour over all of my books, but in the meantime, any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.  Here's what I've noticed so far: * S7 - very long, I would say longer than ovipositor * If you enlarge the last image, I think you can make out a blunt tip on the basal plate of the ovipositor * Enough pruinosity for several female Lestes * Ovipositing solo * Appears to have dark vein on wing tips As always, thank you to all who take their time to help! Steve Subject: Re: ID Help From: Allen Barlow <allenb.cwf AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:18:24 -0400 I would agree with Glenn that this is an Aeshna verticlis (Green-striped Darner) female and that it is rather aged given the darkend wings. Very good photos and a big help for ID. Regards, Allen Barlow Budd Lake, New Jersey On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 11:02 PM, Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA < sargeguy AT earthlink.net> wrote: > > > I need help IDing this one: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects#5385938540595986146 > > http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects#5385937760287614258 > > To my untrained eye its a darner, but I cannot match it to anything in my > guide. > > Thanks > > > -- Allen Subject: Fw: ID Help From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:57:18 -0700 (PDT)   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Glenn Corbiere To: Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 11:56:33 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] ID Help Hello Gregory, It looks like Aeshna verticalis (Green-striped Darner) to my eyes - a heteromorphic female (cerci are missing or severely truncated - from that and the wing color, she has some miles on her!).  Nice photos there, and a helpful selection of angles! Oh, an Best Regards, Glenn   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 11:02:46 PM Subject: [NEodes] ID Help   I need help IDing this one:   http://picasaweb. google.com/ sargeguy. RI/Insects# 5385938540595986 146   http://picasaweb. google.com/ sargeguy. RI/Insects# 5385937760287614 258   To my untrained eye its a darner, but I cannot match it to anything in my guide. Thanks Subject: ID Help From: "Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:02:46 -0400 I need help IDing this one: http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects#5385938540595986146 http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects#5385937760287614258 To my untrained eye its a darner, but I cannot match it to anything in my guide. Thanks Subject: Re: Interspecies mating From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:15:14 -0400 Some of you may recall that early in the summer I reported a male Martha's Pennant (Celithemis martha) with a female Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna). There were no signs of rejection here. Steve Walter ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Moul To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 7:14 PM Subject: [NEodes] Interspecies mating [1 Attachment] [Attachment(s) from Bob Moul included below] The thread on interspecies mating reminded me that earlier this summer, as I was photographing a Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta), a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) came diving in and hooked up briefly. She was having none of it though and after a few more tries the Dasher left rejected and dejected. See attachment. -- Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Subject: Fw: ID Help From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:12:41 -0700 (PDT)   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Glenn Corbiere To: Ginny Alfano Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 10:06:44 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] ID Help [4 Attachments] Hi Ginny, Tough angles you have there for IDs! Nevertheless, I think they're both the same species.  I would say a male and female Aeshna umbrosa - the Shadow Darner. Glenn   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: Ginny Alfano To: neodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 9:21:58 PM Subject: [NEodes] ID Help [4 Attachments]   [Attachment(s) from Ginny Alfano included below] Hi Everyone, I'm hoping someone can help me with my dragon ID or ID's.  The first two photos of the same dragon were taken a week ago Sunday.  I know the photos look the same, but the clarity may be better in one then the other.  The second set of photos were taken this past Sunday - again two photos for clarity reasons.  At first I thought this weeks dragon was the same as last weeks, but now I'm not sure. Can anyone help me with either an ID or ID's? Thank you so much!    Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY     "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'"   Aldo Leopold - A Sand County Almanac Subject: ID Help [4 Attachments] From: Ginny Alfano <jgalfano AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:21:58 -0700 (PDT) Hi Everyone, I'm hoping someone can help me with my dragon ID or ID's.  The first two photos of the same dragon were taken a week ago Sunday.  I know the photos look the same, but the clarity may be better in one then the other.  The second set of photos were taken this past Sunday - again two photos for clarity reasons.  At first I thought this weeks dragon was the same as last weeks, but now I'm not sure. Can anyone help me with either an ID or ID's?   Thank you so much!    Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY     "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'"   Aldo Leopold - A Sand County Almanac Subject: Re: Identification Help Requested From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:47:22 -0700 (PDT) Hi Harry, That is a female Dusky Dancer (Argia translata) Here is another photo: http://www.dragonhunter.net/argia_translata_f.html Welcome to NEodes! Best Wishes, Glenn   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: Hunts To: NE Odes Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 5:04:41 PM Subject: [NEodes] Identification Help Requested [2 Attachments]   [Attachment(s) from Hunts included below] Hi,   This is my first time posting to the group.  I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what species this damselfly might be.   I shot these photos at 11:18 a.m. on August 18, 2009, on the Greenbrier River Trail, near the Anthony Trail Head, Greenbrier County, West Virginia.  This was about 25 or 30 yards from the Greenbrier River.    Other species that I found there at that time were Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) and Black-shouldered Spineylegs (Dromogomphus spinosus).  These two species were actually one rocks down at the river's edge.   Thank you.   Harry Hunt Johnstown, PA Subject: Odes in Hillsborough NH Sunday From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:23:22 -0400 Greetings all, Martha Reinhardt, Nancy Rideout, and I spent yesterday afternoon searching for odonates in the town of Hillsborough, NH (northwest corner of Hillsborough County). It was an absolutely perfect day, and roughly between 12 and 4:30 we found the following 23 species. The ironic thing is that this is one of my higher one-day totals all year, and here it was in a single afternoon 2/3 of the way through September... We mostly visited three sites: 1) a neat shallow pond off Bear Hill Road on the south side of the Contoocook (also home to 2 bitterns!), 2) the Contoocook River itself in the same area, where a small stream enters at the town athletic fields 3) Farrar Marsh WMA in the northeast corner of town. American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) - one male briefly perched on a sandbar on the Contoocook Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) - common throughout Northern Spreadwing (L. disjunctus) - here and there Slender Spreadwing (L. rectangularis) - a couple Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis) - several at Farrar Marsh Powdered Dancer (A. moesta) - a couple on the river Azure Bluet (Enallagma aspersum) - a couple the pond (our only bluets) Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) - a handful at the pond, surprisingly scarce Canada Darber (Aeshna canadensis) - here and there Lance-tipped Darner (A. constricta) - female at the pond Black-tipped Darner (A. tuberculifera) - a few at Farrar Marsh Green-striped Darner (A. verticalis) - fairly common, with two on the walk out from Mud Pond, and more at the unnamed pond Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa) - several along the Contoocook Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) - one perched on a rock in the Contoocook Zebra Clubtail (Stylurus scudderi) - a least two along the Contoocook, including some great looks at one perched on a sandbar Arrow Clubtail (S. spiniceps) - at least 2 along the Contoocook, including an ovipositing female. This is a new most-upstream site along the Contoocook for this species Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) - one along the river (getting quite late!) Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) - one male at the small pond Twelve-spotted Skimmer (L. pulchella) - as above Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum) - a few here and there White-faced Meadowhawk (S. obtrusum) - male at small pond Band-winged Meadowhawk (S. semicinctum) - tandem pair at Farrar Marsh Autumn Meadowhawk (S. vicinum) - by far the most abundant bug out there. Literally hundreds were ovipositiing at the unnamed pond, and lots in other places as well. So the equinox may be looming, but a good diversity of bugs is still flying - enjoy them while you can! Pam Hunt Penacook, NH Subject: Interspecies mating [1 Attachment] From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:14:24 -0400 The thread on interspecies mating reminded me that earlier this summer, as I was photographing a Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta), a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) came diving in and hooked up briefly. She was having none of it though and after a few more tries the Dasher left rejected and dejected. See attachment. -- Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Subject: Re: Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:26:06 -0700 In my experience, male Aeshna seem willing to attempt to mate with any female Aeshna they come across, their own species or not; Rhionaeschna may do the same. Usually the female rejects an inappropriate "advance" immediately, presumably because the appendages don't feel quite right, but very often even though she won't copulate, he won't let her go, and I think this is responsible for some of the times you see Aeshna flying around in tandem. Often such attempts generate such a flurry of rejection that the two individuals fall out of the air onto the water or into the vegetation. I have found drowned pairs apparently resulting from these interspecific attempts. I think you would have to use other characters to be sure that female was Green-striped rather than Canada. So far, I have never found a mismated pair that went into full wheel position, but I suppose it happens. I don't think there are any documented records of definite hybrids in this group, not that it would be the easiest thing to detect! Dennis On Sep 21, 2009, at 1:50 PM, Glenn Corbiere wrote: > To answer your second question, here's a picture of a green form > Canada Darner. > http://www.dragonhunter.net/a_canadensis_f.html > > I don't know if A. canadensis could breed with A. verticalis and > produce viable offspring, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear that > they could. > > Glenn > > Glenn Corbiere > 100 Prospect St. > Chester, MA. 01011-9657 > > www.dragonhunter.net > From: Tom Young > To: neodes AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:34:40 PM > Subject: [NEodes] Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) > > Yesterday, while poking around a beaver pond here in Merrimack, > NH, I netted a flying pair of Aeshna darners that were in the mating > position. Having extracted them from the net, I was able to identify > the male as a Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis); the species is > quite common around here, and this individual was known by the shape > of the blue lateral thoracic stripes as well as the yellow spot > between them. But then I was surprised to see the female: her > thoracic stripes were entirely green, as were the spots on her > abdomen; she had no blue coloration on her body at all. There was no > sign of a yellow spot between the thoracic stripes. Evidently, she > was a Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis). > And now my questions: Are interspecies pairs known in Aeshna? > Aeshna canadensis and A. verticalis certainly looksimilar, but can > they interbreed and produce fertile offspring? Or am I on the wrong > track entirely, and is there a "green form" female Canada Darner (A. > canadensis)? I've never knowingly seen one, nor do I recall any > mention of such a thing in the literature, although I have seen > quite a few "green form" Lance-tipped (A. constricta), Variable (A. > interrupta), and Mottled (A. clepsydra) Darners. > I would, of course, welcome any thoughts on this. > > Tom Young > Merrimack, NH > rustysnaketail AT yahoo.com > > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Identification Help Requested [2 Attachments] From: "Hunts" <hph1 AT atlanticbb.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:04:41 -0400 Hi, This is my first time posting to the group. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what species this damselfly might be. I shot these photos at 11:18 a.m. on August 18, 2009, on the Greenbrier River Trail, near the Anthony Trail Head, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. This was about 25 or 30 yards from the Greenbrier River. Other species that I found there at that time were Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) and Black-shouldered Spineylegs (Dromogomphus spinosus). These two species were actually one rocks down at the river's edge. Thank you. Harry Hunt Johnstown, PA Subject: Re: Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:50:12 -0700 (PDT) To answer your second question, here's a picture of a green form Canada Darner. http://www.dragonhunter.net/a_canadensis_f.html I don't know if A. canadensis could breed with A. verticalis and produce viable offspring, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear that they could. Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: Tom Young To: neodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:34:40 PM Subject: [NEodes] Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?)      Yesterday, while poking around a beaver pond here in Merrimack, NH, I netted a flying pair of Aeshna darners that were in the mating position. Having extracted them from the net, I was able to identify the male as a Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis); the species is quite common around here, and this individual was known by the shape of the blue lateral thoracic stripes as well as the yellow spot between them. But then I was surprised to see the female: her thoracic stripes were entirely green, as were the spots on her abdomen; she had no blue coloration on her body at all. There was no sign of a yellow spot between the thoracic stripes. Evidently, she was a Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis).    And now my questions: Are interspecies pairs known in Aeshna? Aeshna canadensis and A. verticalis certainly look similar, but can they interbreed and produce fertile offspring? Or am I on the wrong track entirely, and is there a "green form" female Canada Darner (A. canadensis)? I've never knowingly seen one, nor do I recall any mention of such a thing in the literature, although I have seen quite a few "green form" Lance-tipped (A. constricta), Variable (A. interrupta), and Mottled (A. clepsydra) Darners.    I would, of course, welcome any thoughts on this. Tom Young Merrimack, NH rustysnaketail AT yahoo.com Subject: Interspecies Aeshna mating wheel (?) From: Tom Young <rustysnaketail AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:34:40 -0700 (PDT)    Yesterday, while poking around a beaver pond here in Merrimack, NH, I netted a flying pair of Aeshna darners that were in the mating position. Having extracted them from the net, I was able to identify the male as a Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis); the species is quite common around here, and this individual was known by the shape of the blue lateral thoracic stripes as well as the yellow spot between them. But then I was surprised to see the female: her thoracic stripes were entirely green, as were the spots on her abdomen; she had no blue coloration on her body at all. There was no sign of a yellow spot between the thoracic stripes. Evidently, she was a Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis).    And now my questions: Are interspecies pairs known in Aeshna? Aeshna canadensis and A. verticalis certainly look similar, but can they interbreed and produce fertile offspring? Or am I on the wrong track entirely, and is there a "green form" female Canada Darner (A. canadensis)? I've never knowingly seen one, nor do I recall any mention of such a thing in the literature, although I have seen quite a few "green form" Lance-tipped (A. constricta), Variable (A. interrupta), and Mottled (A. clepsydra) Darners.    I would, of course, welcome any thoughts on this.     Tom Young Merrimack, NH rustysnaketail AT yahoo.com Subject: Ae. subarctica From: "D W Bridgehouse" <d.bridgehouse AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:01:44 -0300 John & Sue and all - on the Labor Day weekend here in Nova Scotia a fellow res assoc and I from the NSM of Nat History visited a bog in eastern Hants County looking for late summer /early fall flying odes. Turns out we may have taken county records for Ae. subarctica which were plenty , Ae. sitchensis and also Somatochlora incurvata. Waiting to talk to Paul Brunelle our Ode /ADIP keeper of records. Your thread is what got me thinking that perhaps your mystery Somat might indeed be _incurvata_ as they are a peatland bog species . I don't know how uncommon they are in NY state ?? But this time of year I always cant help from hoping that I might bag the elusive Somat brevicincta . We were fortunate to get the incurvata "in cop". So when in the bog - "tread lightly & carry a big net " Derek Bridgehouse in Nova Scotia Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:48:18 -0400 From: John and Sue Gregoire Subject: [NEodes] Aeshna subartica [1 Attachment] 'Tis the season! While all else is winding down, the Aeshnas continue to provide thrills and chills. On Wednesday, we and Fred Sibley scoured a bog in Chenango County, NY, for Aeshna subartica (Subartic Darner) and any other Odonates we could find. This species has an historic but elusive past in this southern part of the Northeast, with this location being only one of a few in the state. It was chilly and pretty cloudy when we arrived and we had to wait for better conditions before sun and warmth brought out any activity. We used that time to carefully wend our way across the very wet and unreliable sphagnum mat to choice spots near the waterline, secure a position, and poise ourselves for action. Here I have to brag that, being about 50 pounds lighter than John or Fred I was able to traverse the wettest areas without falling through (except for once, fortunately when neither of them was looking). It took a while, sifting through many A. canadensis (Canada darners) but Fred finally caught a male A. subartica. We stayed longer, and were treated to overflying passes by an unknown Somatachlora (Emerald) and a male Anax longipes (Comet darner). As the sun began to wane and we picked our way back to solid ground, quite a few Aeshnas took to the brushline along the still sunny northeastern edge of the bog, preparing for evening roost. We headed home to do the same. Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ ****************** Derek W. Bridgehouse 85 Prince Albert Rd. Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1M1 CANADA d.bridgehouse AT ns.sympatico.ca Subject: Aeshna subartica [1 Attachment] From: "John and Sue Gregoire" <khmo AT empacc.net> Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:48:18 -0400 'Tis the season! While all else is winding down, the Aeshnas continue to provide thrills and chills. On Wednesday, we and Fred Sibley scoured a bog in Chenango County, NY, for Aeshna subartica (Subartic Darner) and any other Odonates we could find. This species has an historic but elusive past in this southern part of the Northeast, with this location being only one of a few in the state. It was chilly and pretty cloudy when we arrived and we had to wait for better conditions before sun and warmth brought out any activity. We used that time to carefully wend our way across the very wet and unreliable sphagnum mat to choice spots near the waterline, secure a position, and poise ourselves for action. Here I have to brag that, being about 50 pounds lighter than John or Fred I was able to traverse the wettest areas without falling through (except for once, fortunately when neither of them was looking). It took a while, sifting through many A. canadensis (Canada darners) but Fred finally caught a male A. subartica. We stayed longer, and were treated to overflying passes by an unknown Somatachlora (Emerald) and a male Anax longipes (Comet darner). As the sun began to wane and we picked our way back to solid ground, quite a few Aeshnas took to the brushline along the still sunny northeastern edge of the bog, preparing for evening roost. We headed home to do the same. Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: Zigzag Darner, Aeshna sitchensis in Southern Ontario From: "D&Y Bree" <dbree AT kos.net> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:55:16 -0400 Hi All Observations here in Prince Edward County, Ontario might mean there is an "irruption" of this northern species into the south this fall. Prince Edward County is the bit that hangs down south into Lake Ontario - easy to see on any map. The south-east corner is called Prince Edward Point and on Monday Sept 14 Bruce Ripley caught and photo documented a male Aeshna sitchensis at this location. This was the first time this species has been recorded in southern Ontario to my knowledge. The nearest known colony, itself a southern outlier of the main popluation base, is on Manitoulin Island 450 kilometres to the NW. Bruce collected this indivdual as a voucher specimen. On Wednesday Sept 16 I caught and photo-doumented a male Aeshna sitchensis at Point Petre, the south-west corner of Prince Edward County, 26 kilometres west from the first record. This location also had about 1000 Green Darners and a handful of other Aeshna, a not unusual situation for this location at this time. So one would be an exciting vagrant, does two make an irruption? If you live along the Lake Ontario shoreline or other areas where migrating darners it might be worth while to keep your eyes open for small Aeshna that like to perch on the ground. David Bree Bloomfield, Ontario Subject: Re: Newbie pictures From: "mary b. ffolliott" <luckydogfarm AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:30:19 -0400 The very large fly is tabanus autumnalis - Large Marsh horsefly. The eyes are as big as Kim Jong Il sunglasses! Sissy ffolliott Lucky Dog Farm Ipswich MA On Sep 14, 2009, at 9:56 PM, Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA wrote: > > Like Simon I am a birder who has recently become interested in > Dragonflies. I have an 8 month old daughter, who has drastically > curtailed my birding activity. Since I couldn't get to to the > shore much, I started birding my local power line cut during my > lunch hour. There weren't a lot of birds but I did find lots of > interesting butterflies and dragonflies which has piued my > interest. I have started an album here: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects# > > Any help with the IDs would be much appreciated, > Thanks, > > Greg Sargeant > Providence, RI > > > > > > Subject: Newbie pictures From: "Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:56:57 -0400 Like Simon I am a birder who has recently become interested in Dragonflies. I have an 8 month old daughter, who has drastically curtailed my birding activity. Since I couldn't get to to the shore much, I started birding my local power line cut during my lunch hour. There weren't a lot of birds but I did find lots of interesting butterflies and dragonflies which has piued my interest. I have started an album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/Insects# Any help with the IDs would be much appreciated, Thanks, Greg Sargeant Providence, RI Subject: Identification queries From: Simon Tickle <simontickle AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:05 +0000 (GMT) Hi NEodes, I need some help identifying some odonata and would value your opinions. I have started a blog about dragonflies in response to the adherents on my bird blog complaining that I should "stick to the birds" and stop posting odonata pictures. More than anything, I value accuracy and would hate to post anything that was incorrect. For that reason, I hope that you might take a look at www.redgannetsdragonflies.blogspot.com Also, www.redgannet.blogspot.com where some pictures are mixed in amongst the birdies. Any input from NEodes would be especially pertinent as a couple of posts have been from your area. If you are able to offer any feedback as comments, that would be great. Otherwise return e-mail here. My g-mail account is innaccessible as we speak. Thank you very much. simontickle AT yahoo.co.uk rsvp thankyou Subject: Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina [2 Attachments] From: sleitkam AT yahoo.com Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:22:20 -0700 (PDT) A few days ago I was walking through a wet meadow type area near my home photographing pollinators and other things of interest. It was dusk, as I was working myself towards my car, when I spotted a male Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina perched on some vegetation. After taking a few pictures it became apparent to me that the dragonfly was asleep. I played around with various angels, as well as different degrees of flash. I'm not meaning to sound boastful, but I'm pleased with some of the effects. There's definitely some exposure problems in some of the images, but I'm still glad I had the opportunity to get such close-ups. During the day I can sometimes approach them, but never to this degree. I've placed 20 of the images in the photos section in 'Steve's Pics' if you'd care to take a look, plus I'm attaching a few as well. I hope you enjoy them. Steve Subject: Re: Another example of predator becoming prey From: June Tveekrem <damselfly AT southernspreadwing.com> Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:29:14 -0400 I think it's a great photo. Dragonflies being preyed upon isn't "dragonfly-unfriendly"; it's just part of nature. I have several photos of one odonate eating another odonate. June -- June Tveekrem Columbia, Maryland, U.S. damselfly|AT|southernspreadwing.com http://SouthernSpreadwing.com sleitkam AT yahoo.com wrote: In my case, however, the dragonfly (I think it's Gomphus exilis, but please correct me if I'm wrong) had fallen prey to a fishing spider with a legspan of approximately 3.5 inches. I'm attaching one photo... And finally, I'm aware that this is a dragonfly list, and that these aren't particularly dragonfly friendly photos. So I'll post some strictly dragonfly shots in a few days. Steve Subject: Re: Sites for Odes From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 11:38:46 -0700 (PDT) Hi Steve, Sorry to hear about your frustrations. You should have sent an email out to this group before you visited the first time - I'm sure you would have gotten plenty of help offers. It was not the greatest of years around here for dragonflies. In particular in June and July, we heard again and again that numbers were way down for numbers and diversity of species. Anyway, I'd be happy to help you next time around to the extent I can if you're going to spend any time within a few hours drive of where I am. Please drop me a line when you know when and what parts of New England you plan on visiting. You can visit my site and if you seen anything there that you'd be interested in seeing, let me know, and if you're around at the right time for those species, we'll give them a try. You have lucky, too - some days there are just not that many bugs out there. If it's not on my web site, I haven't had much luck finding it so far myeslf, or at least not so much luck photographing it! I'm sure you know that you can spend years and years trying to photograph some of the "trickier and rarer species", otherwise they wouldn't be tricky or rare! Anyway, I'm sure you'll recieve other offers of help, but you have at least one. Best Wishes, Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: "birdseekers AT talktalk.net" To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 2:04:41 PM Subject: [NEodes] Sites for Odes   Having just visited New England for 2 weeks I found it very frustrating that I could not find any information on specific sites to see dragons & damsels. Armed with a map I visited as many ponds and rivers as possible finding most with no public access! I managed to get a little info from a freinds, freind and did see some excellent species on several very small accessible ponds. I intend to visit again next year from the U.K and would really appreciate any info on specific sites, for specific species. When you only have a few weeks to see and photograph as much as possible it really would help save time! I do hope some of you can help especially with thr trickier and rarer species. Steve birdseekers AT talktalk. net Subject: Sites for Odes From: birdseekers AT talktalk.net Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:04:41 -0400 Having just visited New England for 2 weeks I found it very frustrating that I could not find any information on specific sites to see dragons & damsels. Armed with a map I visited as many ponds and rivers as possible finding most with no public access! I managed to get a little info from a freinds, freind and did see some excellent species on several very small accessible ponds. I intend to visit again next year from the U.K and would really appreciate any info on specific sites, for specific species. When you only have a few weeks to see and photograph as much as possible it really would help save time! I do hope some of you can help especially with thr trickier and rarer species. Steve birdseekers AT talktalk.net Subject: Another example of predator becoming prey [1 Attachment] From: sleitkam AT yahoo.com Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 18:38:58 -0700 (PDT) Hi Everyone, I've been a member for quit a while, but this is my first time posting. When I saw Bob Moul's post on August 23rd, 'The dragon doesn't always win' I was reminded of a similar encounter I happened upon a couple of years ago. In my case, however, the dragonfly (I think it's Gomphus exilis, but please correct me if I'm wrong) had fallen prey to a fishing spider with a legspan of approximately 3.5 inches. I'm attaching one photo, and the rest of the set, plus a couple of composites that I'd put together for some of the less biologically oriented people at my office, can be seen in the photo section in 'Steve's Pics'. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEodes/photos/album/1400352351/pic/list The composite sheets also include additional information such as date and location.  And Finally, I'm aware that this is a dragonfly list, and that these aren't particularly dragonfly friendly photos.  So I'll post some strictly dragonfly shots in a few days. I hope you'll find these of interest. Steve Subject: Re: Aeshna clepsydra. From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:40:09 -0400 Kevin, I don't think clepsydra has an aversion to sunlight. Looking at flight shots I took last year of several males on Long Island, the time stamps are around 4:00 and they're well lit. (same for an ovipositing female). And my guys were patrolling away from the shoreline and higher above the water than yours, I'd say about 3-4 feet (or a comfortable level for photography). Steve Walter Bayside, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: MARIE HEMEON To: _NEodes Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2009 8:35 PM Subject: [NEodes] Aeshna clepsydra. I found Aeshna clepsydra (10 patrolling males at least) at a bog fringed pond in upstate NY this evening and the other night in a similar pond next county north of me. In both cases it was in the evening (earlier tonight but during a cloudy spell). The pond I visited had patrolling A. interrupta and canadensis this afternoon. I went back after dinner and found only the A. clepsydra. When the clouds parted, these left but, came back when the sun went below the horizon. I wonder if they prefer to patrol late in the day and that is part of their not being found often? They were patrolling 6-12 inches above the water, along the shore, hovering to check the shoreline sedges as well as dipping into patches of pickerel weed and flying amongst the stems, and were not too difficult to net. No, I did not net all 10. Kevin Subject: Saturday Odonates on local Creeks From: "asiootusloe" <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:43:40 -0000 Hi all, I spent a few hours on Fall Creek (3 hrs) and Toughannock Creek (2 hrs) trying to watch and photograph odnonates. On Fall Creek between suspension bridge and Freese Road bridge saw about 50+ American Rubyspots, mostly males. I think I must have seen jsut about 4 or 5 females. I spent an hour and half photographing one male! Watched his tactics of catching insects and also grooming. I took several minutes of videos and is being uploaded to Youtube, see the link below. I also had at least four Boyeria individuals looking for females along the creeks. Two males in Toughannock Creek had very set path in search of females. Both spent a whole lot of time at one spot, between a rock and a deep water with some vegetation under water. I sat with my camera hoping to get at least one pciture of each. I did get a few shots, but all images are blur, showing how fast the insects fly during search. My photo exposure time was 100 th of a sec or less, but in that the image of the darner is blurred. Actually, I think one can calculate the speed of flight using the spot size and its width that would give us how much he traveled in 1/100 of a sec. Based on the photos at least one of them is Fawn Darner, Boyeria vinosa. I also found several darenrs in a field near Freese road, the one I could id were Swamp Darner (female), Green Darner (f), Green-striped (M), and a few more "darn" darner as I could not get anywhere near to idying them, though they came very near to me to check me out. There were also a few Meadowhawks both males and females, but I did not spend much time looking at them. I found several Powdered dancers (Argia moesta) laying eggs. I also saw Argia fumipennis (Violet Dancers), Ischnura verticalis Eastern Forktails), Ischnura posita (Fragile forktail), Tule (E. carculatum) and Familiar Bluets (E. civile). Meena Ithaca New York. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXlZNdo1lUo Subject: Aeshna clepsydra. From: "MARIE HEMEON" <mariekevinhemeon AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 20:35:36 -0400 I found Aeshna clepsydra (10 patrolling males at least) at a bog fringed pond in upstate NY this evening and the other night in a similar pond next county north of me. In both cases it was in the evening (earlier tonight but during a cloudy spell). The pond I visited had patrolling A. interrupta and canadensis this afternoon. I went back after dinner and found only the A. clepsydra. When the clouds parted, these left but, came back when the sun went below the horizon. I wonder if they prefer to patrol late in the day and that is part of their not being found often? They were patrolling 6-12 inches above the water, along the shore, hovering to check the shoreline sedges as well as dipping into patches of pickerel weed and flying amongst the stems, and were not too difficult to net. No, I did not net all 10. Kevin Subject: Decent day for observation ... From: "Quackenbush, J Kevin" <jquacken AT foxboro.com> Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:09:29 -0400 Well, last Sunday (23 August) it was ... for about two hours. I had some time to fill before I needed to pick someone up, so decided to cruise Myles Standish State forest in Plymouth, Ma. I have had some success there in the past, and though a storm was brewing, figured I'd give it a try. My first stop was a small weedy pond I'd visited before ... turns out I spent the entire two hours there. As I approached it seemed there was little activity ... but, upon closer scrutiny that impression changed quickly. Among the first Dragons I saw were ~ five male Martha's Pennant (Celithemis Martha), a male Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina), and at least six male Golden-winged skimmers (Libellula auripennis) [and, one female though of Golden-winged or Needham I am not certain] ... also present were two Slaty skimmer - male (Libellula incesta) ... in addition, at least four male Mottled darners and one female (Aeshna clepsydra). However, the highlight of the two hours were two sightings ... a single close fly-by of a Comet darner - male (Anax longipes) ... from about 12 feet - an unmistakable Dragon (!), and three Carolina saddlebags (Tramea Carolina), two males and a female ... one pair eventually in Wheel (!). They traveled a circuit from one side of the small pond to the other and back, from about ten feet out to maybe ~ 35 feet. I watched them for at least 45 minutes ... during which time they went from three individuals, to the wheel forming (they flew about that way for awhile) then, the ovipositing began. The female would break away from the male when they were 6 to 10 feet from the pond surface. She would drop down to the surface to oviposit, dabbing her abdomen into the water, then fly back up and re-join with the male. This happened every three to five minutes for at least 20-25 minutes. Finally, the female broke away from the male, dropped to the pond surface, completed her egg laying, then rose again into the air, but avoided the male in his attempts to re-join her. She flew at least forty feet into the air avoiding his approaches, before he broke away. She then flew to the pond edge and landed on an upright reed emergent from the water. She was clearly visible, and stayed there for about 20 minutes. Finally when I glanced back she had departed. During this time one of the males made repeated passes along the shore where I paced (along a very narrow incline, with poor footing) net in hand. I had one very close approach with the male coming well within net range, but alas from behind me ... and, I saw him too late as he flapped and glided past me. Oh, I swung ... but was woefully late ! Time was up, and I needed to leave ... but what a rewarding two hours. ________________________________ ** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email is from the Invensys Process Systems business unit of the Invensys Group, a group of companies owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). Subject: Re: Dragonflies in Ballparks From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:31:28 -0400 Why not? The all time classic was the Sora Rail on Soldier Field (during a preseason Giants - Bears game). So we know they migrate through Chicago in August. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dennis Paulson To: Steve Walter Cc: 'NE Odes' Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 5:45 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Dragonflies in Ballparks Maybe by monitoring professional sports we will be able to get a handle on dragonfly migration across America! On Aug 29, 2009, at 1:51 PM, Steve Walter wrote: If you're in the northeast, stuck indoors because of the weather, and wanting to see dragonfly activity, turn to the Fox network outlet in your area. There's a swarm in Wrigley Field in Chicago, enough so that the announcers were talking about them. One commentator commented that "so far they're not bothering the players but we'll have to keep an eye on them" (with memories of the midges in Cleveland). I guess they don't know that they're harmless. I might also mention that there were some dragonflies in Yankee Stadium Thursday. Steve Walter Bayside, NY ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Dragonflies in Ballparks From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:45:36 -0700 Maybe by monitoring professional sports we will be able to get a handle on dragonfly migration across America! On Aug 29, 2009, at 1:51 PM, Steve Walter wrote: > > If you're in the northeast, stuck indoors because of the weather, > and wanting to see dragonfly activity, turn to the Fox network > outlet in your area. There's a swarm in Wrigley Field in Chicago, > enough so that the announcers were talking about them. One > commentator commented that "so far they're not bothering the players > but we'll have to keep an eye on them" (with memories of the midges > in Cleveland). I guess they don't know that they're harmless. I > might also mention that there were some dragonflies in Yankee > Stadium Thursday. > > Steve Walter > Bayside, NY > > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Dragonflies in Ballparks From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:51:08 -0400 If you're in the northeast, stuck indoors because of the weather, and wanting to see dragonfly activity, turn to the Fox network outlet in your area. There's a swarm in Wrigley Field in Chicago, enough so that the announcers were talking about them. One commentator commented that "so far they're not bothering the players but we'll have to keep an eye on them" (with memories of the midges in Cleveland). I guess they don't know that they're harmless. I might also mention that there were some dragonflies in Yankee Stadium Thursday. Steve Walter Bayside, NY Subject: RE: Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) From: "Chip Krilowicz" <chippop AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:57:42 -0400 Hi Glen: I am sorry to say that the angle given is the only one that I have. Looking at the raw photo on a HD monitor, my original comments stay the same. Looks like this bug will be just a mystery unless I can collect it. Thanks for your input. Regards, Ed (Chip) Krilowicz Haddonfield, NJ USA chippop AT verizon.net http://sites.google.com/site/audubonwildlifesociety/Home/ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Glenn Corbiere Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 10:10 AM To: NE Odes Subject: Fw: [NEodes] Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) Sorry - I meant to send this to the group: ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Glenn Corbiere To: Chip Krilowicz Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 11:55:29 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment] Hi Chip, It's difficult to tell just what we're seeing with the image size that you uploaded, but it certainly appears that the head is, at the least, quite deformed, or as you pointed out perhaps not even present even though there eyes and apparantly mouth parts that can function. That is bizarre. I have never seen anything like it. You don't have any other angles by chance, do you? What I really would love to know is, what did the larva look like? Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net _____ From: Chip Krilowicz To: "NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Odes" ; njodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 6:01:43 PM Subject: [NEodes] Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment] HI; I was at my local park today (National Park, Gloucester County, NJ) looking for Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail). I was lucky to see one male and this female. Looking at the female through the camera, I could not get a clear view of the head. I thought the prey it was eating was obscuring it. To my great surprise when I opened the photo that I took, the head and mouth parts appears to be part of the thorax! The but is an adult and must be feeding and flying as normal. Are my observations correct? Has anything like this been reported before? Regards, Ed (Chip) Krilowicz Haddonfield, NJ USA chippop AT verizon. net http://sites. google.com/ site/audubonwild lifesociety/ Home/ Subject: Fw: Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:09:45 -0700 (PDT) Sorry - I meant to send this to the group: ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Glenn Corbiere To: Chip Krilowicz Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 11:55:29 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment] Hi Chip, It's difficult to tell just what we're seeing with the image size that you uploaded, but it certainly appears that the head is, at the least, quite deformed, or as you pointed out perhaps not even present even though there eyes and apparantly mouth parts that can function.  That is bizarre.  I have never seen anything like it. You don't have any other angles by chance, do you? What I really would love to know is, what did the larva look like? Glenn   Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: Chip Krilowicz To: "NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Odes" ; njodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 6:01:43 PM Subject: [NEodes] Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment]   [Attachment(s) from Chip Krilowicz included below] HI;   I was at my local park today (National Park, Gloucester County, NJ) looking for Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail). I was lucky to see one male and this female.  Looking at the female through the camera, I could not get a clear view of the head.  I thought the prey it was eating was obscuring it.  To my great surprise when I opened the photo that I took, the head and mouth parts appears to be part of the thorax!  The but is an adult and must be feeding and flying as normal.   Are my observations correct?  Has anything like this been reported before?   Regards, Ed (Chip) Krilowicz Haddonfield, NJ USA chippop AT verizon. net http://sites. google.com/ site/audubonwild lifesociety/ Home/     Subject: Re: The dragon doesn't always win. From: Hal White <halwhite AT udel.edu> Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:27:44 -0400 Bob, This is a paragraph from the Delmarva book I am writing. One day while wading in a marsh at Lums Pond, New Castle County, Delaware, I noticed several tussocks of tall grass that were ringed by dragonfly wings floating in the water. Upon examination, each tussock had a resident, well-camouflaged preying mantis patiently waiting for the next unsuspecting dragonfly to land. Because of their abundance, Blue Dashers were the predominant victims (Bree, 2001). Bree, D. (2001) Mandids eating dragonflies, ARGIA 13(1), 27-28. Hal Bob Moul wrote: > > [Attachment(s) <#TopText> from Bob Moul included below] > > This Widow Skimmer wasn't quite fast enough this morning. The mantid is > a nymph but does anyone know what species? I am used to seeing the green > Chinese Mantids here. All the Chinese nymphs I have seen were green. > -- > > Best, > Bob > > Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net ) > Adams County, PA USA > > "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" > Photo Galleries: > http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840 > http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html > > > Subject: The dragon doesn't always win. [1 Attachment] From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:39:07 -0400 This Widow Skimmer wasn't quite fast enough this morning. The mantid is a nymph but does anyone know what species? I am used to seeing the green Chinese Mantids here. All the Chinese nymphs I have seen were green. -- Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Subject: Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail) [1 Attachment] From: "Chip Krilowicz" <chippop AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:01:43 -0400 HI; I was at my local park today (National Park, Gloucester County, NJ) looking for Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail). I was lucky to see one male and this female. Looking at the female through the camera, I could not get a clear view of the head. I thought the prey it was eating was obscuring it. To my great surprise when I opened the photo that I took, the head and mouth parts appears to be part of the thorax! The but is an adult and must be feeding and flying as normal. Are my observations correct? Has anything like this been reported before? Regards, Ed (Chip) Krilowicz Haddonfield, NJ USA chippop AT verizon.net http://sites.google.com/site/audubonwildlifesociety/Home/ Subject: Fwd: Re: Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer From: <d.bridgehouse AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:07:20 -0300 > Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:06:16 -0300 > From: > To: Dennis Paulson > Subject: Re: [NEodes] Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer > > Walter & Dennis et al - I'm rather a newbie to this site but thought I would put a couple of my observations forward into this thread re : niteflying odes in particular darners. > > Interestingly back in late June while I was doing some MV lite work I had 2 B. janata ( Spring darner ) come flying into lite and hanging up on the sheet at about 10:00 pm . > > Then in late July also doing some MV litework had 3 A. u. umbrosa ( Shadow darner) come flying in around the lite at approx 9-9:15ish pm . > > Hope these observations may be of interest . . . especially in knowing if these particular species are known to be crepuscular or not ? > > > > Ch > > ---- Dennis Paulson wrote: > > Walter, > > > > In my experience, crepuscular dragonflies often come to lights. > > Gynacantha and Triacanthagyna are two tropical aeshnid genera, most > > of the species of which are crepuscular, and when I've lived in their > > range, I have seen them regularly come in to lights. They aren't > > feeding, but they hang up there and can often be found the next > > morning. I found that checking the lights of a motel situated in rain > > forest in Australia was good for about one Gynacantha per night. At > > an ecolodge in Peru, the cooks would regularly bring me Gynacantha > > that came into the lighted kitchen at night. When I lived in Miami, I > > regularly saw individuals of both genera on buildings in the morning, > > hanging up on a wall or ceiling near a light fixture. Same in > > occasional visits to Santa Ana NWR, Texas. > > > > I wonder if shadowdragons (Neurocordulia) might be collected by > > putting out either UV or incandescent lights on the shore of a river > > where they occur. > > > > Dennis > > > > > > On Aug 20, 2009, at 9:24 AM, mrcnaturally wrote: > > > > > Last night I was at Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, Westchester > > > County, NY and at about 8:00 PM a B. vinosa flew into the nature > > > center building and landed on the ceiling. A few minutes layer a > > > second B. vinosa also came inside but fluttered around and then > > > left. It seems they were attracted to the lights in the building. > > > The first B. vinosa was still there at about 8:45 PM when I left. I > > > took a few photos and posted three in Photos. The album is Fawn > > > Darner. > > > I wonder if this is a some time occurence with this species? This > > > species is known to be crepuscular. > > > Anyone have any thoughts. > > > > > > Walter Chadwick > > > > > > . > > > > > > > > > > ----- > > Dennis Paulson > > 1724 NE 98 St. > > Seattle, WA 98115 > > 206-528-1382 > > dennispaulson AT comcast.net > > > > > > Subject: Re: Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:07:19 -0700 Walter, In my experience, crepuscular dragonflies often come to lights. Gynacantha and Triacanthagyna are two tropical aeshnid genera, most of the species of which are crepuscular, and when I've lived in their range, I have seen them regularly come in to lights. They aren't feeding, but they hang up there and can often be found the next morning. I found that checking the lights of a motel situated in rain forest in Australia was good for about one Gynacantha per night. At an ecolodge in Peru, the cooks would regularly bring me Gynacantha that came into the lighted kitchen at night. When I lived in Miami, I regularly saw individuals of both genera on buildings in the morning, hanging up on a wall or ceiling near a light fixture. Same in occasional visits to Santa Ana NWR, Texas. I wonder if shadowdragons (Neurocordulia) might be collected by putting out either UV or incandescent lights on the shore of a river where they occur. Dennis On Aug 20, 2009, at 9:24 AM, mrcnaturally wrote: > Last night I was at Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, Westchester > County, NY and at about 8:00 PM a B. vinosa flew into the nature > center building and landed on the ceiling. A few minutes layer a > second B. vinosa also came inside but fluttered around and then > left. It seems they were attracted to the lights in the building. > The first B. vinosa was still there at about 8:45 PM when I left. I > took a few photos and posted three in Photos. The album is Fawn > Darner. > I wonder if this is a some time occurence with this species? This > species is known to be crepuscular. > Anyone have any thoughts. > > Walter Chadwick > > . > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner) Night flyer From: "mrcnaturally" <mrcnaturally AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:24:14 -0000 Last night I was at Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, Westchester County, NY and at about 8:00 PM a B. vinosa flew into the nature center building and landed on the ceiling. A few minutes layer a second B. vinosa also came inside but fluttered around and then left. It seems they were attracted to the lights in the building. The first B. vinosa was still there at about 8:45 PM when I left. I took a few photos and posted three in Photos. The album is Fawn Darner. I wonder if this is a some time occurence with this species? This species is known to be crepuscular. Anyone have any thoughts. Walter Chadwick Subject: Re: dragonfly migration From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:55:58 -0700 (PDT) Sorry, Sue j- I misread that last part of your email. I thought you said you were seeing A. tuberculifera feeding swarms in June and July! So where do the emerging A. tuberculifara from June and July go? Maybe to my yard. Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: John and Sue Gregoire To: NEOdes Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:10:50 AM Subject: [NEodes] dragonfly migration   It took me forever to find this article on line, so be sure you all read it! http://rsbl. royalsocietypubl ishing.org/ content/2/ 3/325.full? sid=73b95070- a1d4-4603- 90d2-ae843c1f7af 2 It talks to the fact that dragonflies follow the same regimen as birds during migration. Study was performed by radio-tracking. But it centers on what happens when they reach the coastal areas. What happens before they get there is still a mystery. In this area (central NY) at this time of year, Anax junius (Green Darners) are emerging in great numbers and simply disappearing. The presumtion is they are heading for the coast (as birds do) then down the eastern seaboard. Earlier in the year, around late June and July, Aeshna tuberculifera (Black-tipped Darners) emerge and disappear in the same manner. I can't imagine where they all are now as we rarely see them. We are not treated to these feeding swarms the rest of you are lucky enough to see. I'm wondering if they and other species congregate in certain areas (like birds do) before they migrate/disperse. Like birds, perhaps they spend time in habitual areas tanking up before they move out. Glenn sees them every year. That says alot to back up that idea. Do any of the rest of you have a spot where you regularly see these swarms? Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc. net/~kestrelhave n/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: Re: dragonfly migration From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:13:31 -0700 (PDT) Interesting observations, everyone. Allow me expand upon my observations about the large congregation of Anax junius / Common Green Darners.  What I related occurred about 4 years back. It was late in the year - I'd have to look up the exact date but I think it was either late August or early September. It was in Chester, Massachusetts, which is a rural hilly wooded area in western Massachusetts. The field where I made this observation is about 8 or 9 acres and isa djacent to the west branch of the medium sized Westfield River, which flows to the east and has ridgeline to the north and south of it. The nearest coastal area, Long Island Sound, is 70 miles due south. On this particular late afternoon, I saw more darners than I have ever seen before or since. The entire field was full of darners. From any place I looked I could see hundreds flying around at any one time, and as I walked through the field I was flushing darners up everywhere. I spent some time trying to estimate the numbers, and based on what I could see, I guessed there were between 2,000 and 3,000 indivduals in this small area. It's difficult to imagine this many darners ending up at this small strip of land unless they were part of a migration of some sort. Perhaps either they were in migration and stopped for feeding, or were congregating and getting ready to leave. I have returned to the area since that year. I had to slip through or under a gate to go over an old bridge crossing the Westfield to get to this strip of land. I seem to recall that this strip was donated to either the town or a conservation group for public use, but nothing has been done with it as of yet. I don't remember the exact details. I don't know if this congregation of dragonflies is a regular event or whether it occurs only under certain circumstances. I also don't know if they were there only that one day, or over a longer period of time. I think I'll go back over photos I took that day; see exactly when it was and go back about the same time this year....although I don't know for certain it's still easily accessable. Allow me a couple more comments on the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms that I regularly see in my yard. Although it at first looks like mass confusion, I have at times tried to follow individual dragonflies, and have noticed that they often seem to be following particular routes through the swarm. At times I was seeing individuals repeatedly tracing out a large circle, or even a large figure 8! They do seem to be fairly unpredictable too. This past week, they were there three of four afternoons in a row, then suddenly yesterday, they were not to be found despite the fact that it seemed like the conditions where pretty much the same as the previous days. Maybe whatever they are feeding on was depleted. I do know from past years that they will be around for a few days, then gone, but they might just as suddenly return a few days  or a week later.  I find it interesting that I am normally seeing Aeshna turberculifera feeding swarms around my yard in August, and Sue reports that she sees them more in June and July! In May, typically, I see similar Baskettail feeding swarms around the yard, although in slightly more modest numbers. Glenn   ________________________________ From: John and Sue Gregoire To: NEOdes Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:10:50 AM Subject: [NEodes] dragonfly migration   It took me forever to find this article on line, so be sure you all read it! http://rsbl. royalsocietypubl ishing.org/ content/2/ 3/325.full? sid=73b95070- a1d4-4603- 90d2-ae843c1f7af 2 It talks to the fact that dragonflies follow the same regimen as birds during migration. Study was performed by radio-tracking. But it centers on what happens when they reach the coastal areas. What happens before they get there is still a mystery. In this area (central NY) at this time of year, Anax junius (Green Darners) are emerging in great numbers and simply disappearing. The presumtion is they are heading for the coast (as birds do) then down the eastern seaboard. Earlier in the year, around late June and July, Aeshna tuberculifera (Black-tipped Darners) emerge and disappear in the same manner. I can't imagine where they all are now as we rarely see them. We are not treated to these feeding swarms the rest of you are lucky enough to see. I'm wondering if they and other species congregate in certain areas (like birds do) before they migrate/disperse. Like birds, perhaps they spend time in habitual areas tanking up before they move out. Glenn sees them every year. That says alot to back up that idea. Do any of the rest of you have a spot where you regularly see these swarms? Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc. net/~kestrelhave n/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: dragonfly migration From: "John and Sue Gregoire" <khmo AT empacc.net> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:10:50 -0400 It took me forever to find this article on line, so be sure you all read it! http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/2/3/325.full?sid=73b95070-a1d4-4603-90d2-ae843c1f7af2 It talks to the fact that dragonflies follow the same regimen as birds during migration. Study was performed by radio-tracking. But it centers on what happens when they reach the coastal areas. What happens before they get there is still a mystery. In this area (central NY) at this time of year, Anax junius (Green Darners) are emerging in great numbers and simply disappearing. The presumtion is they are heading for the coast (as birds do) then down the eastern seaboard. Earlier in the year, around late June and July, Aeshna tuberculifera (Black-tipped Darners) emerge and disappear in the same manner. I can't imagine where they all are now as we rarely see them. We are not treated to these feeding swarms the rest of you are lucky enough to see. I'm wondering if they and other species congregate in certain areas (like birds do) before they migrate/disperse. Like birds, perhaps they spend time in habitual areas tanking up before they move out. Glenn sees them every year. That says alot to back up that idea. Do any of the rest of you have a spot where you regularly see these swarms? Sue G. -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" Subject: Darner Fallout - Swarms From: "Quackenbush, J Kevin" <jquacken AT foxboro.com> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:19:00 -0400 Hi Ed, A short comment from a fellow newbie. I've been enjoying these marvels of nature for a couple of years. I echo your observation of the paucity of Odes this year ... here in southeastern Ma the numbers are hugely down compared to last year, in every habitat. Alas, I've seen no feeding swarms so far ... unless five individuals constitute a swarm (!) ... though last year this month (HMmmm, actually this week) my wife and I were in the very midst of a feeding swarm of at least 100 individuals. Swirling and banking over shirt pocket high grass no more than ~ 8 feet up as a rule. Many, perhaps even most, were Anax Junius (Common Green Darner) but, there were several other species involved as well. A couple of Pantalas, etc. ... The swarm Included one (1) moderate size individual of a decidedly red coloration which I could not identify (still) and could not catch, in spite of 20 + minutes of focusing on it alone. Not Sympetrum. As for correlation between T-storms/humid weather, etc. and swarms ... I have read (2 or 3 different instances) of observations of feeding swarms shortly after such weather events ... apparently (?) in relation to ants beginning their nuptial flights ... the weather being that trigger. Good Hunting ! Quack Agis quod Adis ________________________________ From: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEodes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Poropat/Fraser Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:02 AM To: opihi AT mindspring.com; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Hi Folks, My first post also. This has been a very poor year for odonates in central Ontario, as far as numbers are concerned. A thread earlier in the year discussed cool, wet weather affecting emergence, feeding, etc. Darners also appear to be way down here in numbers this year. That said, however, I have twice now encountered some relatively large feeding swarms. The interesting thing is that ALL the swarms I've seen were during 2 evenings, despite being out other evenings also. There were multiple swarms present each night. Both nights, the air was very heavy and humid, immediately before or after a thunderstorm. So, my question to everyone is: "Has anyone noticed any relationship between weather factors and feeding swarms? Can you predict that it will or might be a good evening for these feeding aggregations based on temps, humidity, etc.? Cheers, Ed Poropat Haliburton, ON ----- Original Message ----- From: opihi AT mindspring.com To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:46 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Howdy folks, Making my first post after subscribing to this group... To reply to Maria's question, I have seen a darner (presumably Anax junius, Green Darner) migration at a non-coastal migration. I was doing a fall bird count in mid-September several years (5?) ago on Jordan Lake in Chatham County, North Carolina, a few hours inland from the coast (maybe 200 miles, +/-?), and observed dozens, maybe hundreds, of darners, all headed in the same direction (more or less south), all at or above treetop level. As for the radar map that Carolyn remembers, Bob Behrstock, during his annual appearance at the Dragonfly Days festival in south Texas, regularly shows a stunning radar image which was ground-truthed to be Pantala, I think hymenea (Spot-winged Glider). As I recall, the radar showed the dragonfly swarm to stretch from Long Island, pretty much the entire length of New Jersey, to Chesapeake Bay. Maybe this image was posted on-line somewhere, at some point. Cheers, Josh Rose Massachusetts (currently Wenham but ultimately Amherst) http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 http://www.facebook.com/opihi -----Original Message----- From: Carolyn King __._, Sent: Aug 18, 2009 2:21 PM To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Thanks for clarifying that, Maria. I had been told that this kind of cluster was a migratory swarm, and I'm afraid I've been repeating it to others. I guess I had the idea that they were pausing to feed en route, and would rest for the night before moving on. But I think they fly through the night? I seem to remember a link to a radar map which showed migratory dragonfly swarms, although I think they were talking about smaller species. Cheers, Carolyn King, Toronto MariaAA AT aol.com Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/other word for it). Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, are essentially not observed to be feeding. There are large numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a GIVEN direction. It is a very different--and cool-- situation to see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone who pays attention to odes at all!). This 'parade' can go on for many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT coastal? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit) It is also speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns. And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this phenomenon tends to occur--late summer. Hopefully we'll hear some observations of it this year! Maria -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Corbiere To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Hello Yvonne, Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick glance, one can't see what their up to, but if I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms,&nbs! p;at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. Best Wishes, Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded mea! dow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY ** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email is from the Invensys Process Systems business unit of the Invensys Group, a group of companies owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpdesk AT invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: "Poropat/Fraser" <ed.barb AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:01:45 -0400 Hi Folks, My first post also. This has been a very poor year for odonates in central Ontario, as far as numbers are concerned. A thread earlier in the year discussed cool, wet weather affecting emergence, feeding, etc. Darners also appear to be way down here in numbers this year. That said, however, I have twice now encountered some relatively large feeding swarms. The interesting thing is that ALL the swarms I've seen were during 2 evenings, despite being out other evenings also. There were multiple swarms present each night. Both nights, the air was very heavy and humid, immediately before or after a thunderstorm. So, my question to everyone is: "Has anyone noticed any relationship between weather factors and feeding swarms? Can you predict that it will or might be a good evening for these feeding aggregations based on temps, humidity, etc.? Cheers, Ed Poropat Haliburton, ON ----- Original Message ----- From: opihi AT mindspring.com To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:46 PM Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Howdy folks, Making my first post after subscribing to this group... To reply to Maria's question, I have seen a darner (presumably Anax junius, Green Darner) migration at a non-coastal migration. I was doing a fall bird count in mid-September several years (5?) ago on Jordan Lake in Chatham County, North Carolina, a few hours inland from the coast (maybe 200 miles, +/-?), and observed dozens, maybe hundreds, of darners, all headed in the same direction (more or less south), all at or above treetop level. As for the radar map that Carolyn remembers, Bob Behrstock, during his annual appearance at the Dragonfly Days festival in south Texas, regularly shows a stunning radar image which was ground-truthed to be Pantala, I think hymenea (Spot-winged Glider). As I recall, the radar showed the dragonfly swarm to stretch from Long Island, pretty much the entire length of New Jersey, to Chesapeake Bay. Maybe this image was posted on-line somewhere, at some point. Cheers, Josh Rose Massachusetts (currently Wenham but ultimately Amherst) http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 http://www.facebook.com/opihi -----Original Message----- From: Carolyn King __._, Sent: Aug 18, 2009 2:21 PM To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Thanks for clarifying that, Maria. I had been told that this kind of cluster was a migratory swarm, and I'm afraid I've been repeating it to others. I guess I had the idea that they were pausing to feed en route, and would rest for the night before moving on. But I think they fly through the night? I seem to remember a link to a radar map which showed migratory dragonfly swarms, although I think they were talking about smaller species. Cheers, Carolyn King, Toronto MariaAA AT aol.com Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/other word for it). Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, are essentially not observed to be feeding. There are large numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a GIVEN direction. It is a very different--and cool-- situation to see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone who pays attention to odes at all!). This 'parade' can go on for many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT coastal? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit) It is also speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns. And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this phenomenon tends to occur--late summer. Hopefully we'll hear some observations of it this year! Maria -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Corbiere To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Hello Yvonne, Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick glance, one can't see what their up to, but if I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms,&nbs! p;at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. Best Wishes, Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded mea! dow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: opihi AT mindspring.com Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:46:06 -0400 (GMT-04:00) Subject: Fwd: Darner Fallout From: MariaAA AT aol.com Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:09:09 -0400 Please see message below from Yvonne... Also, I meant to mention to both Yvonne and Glenn that (once again, Glenn!) your descriptions of the feeding swarms were wonderful! -----Original Message----- From: Y Mer To: MariaAA AT aol.com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 1:32 pm Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Thank you both for the explanation! A feeding swarm it is, and glad I am to have witnessed my first of what I hope to be many in the years to come! If there are any lep fans here, I might also mention that just prior to realizing this swarm, I had a Giant Swallowtail nearly bump me in the nose. Both spectacular sightings for Central New York. Also, I don't think I can even get my mind wrapped around thousands of Anax junius in one spot! Yvonne Merriam ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com Photo galleries may be viewed by clicking: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds --- On Tue, 8/18/09, MariaAA AT aol.com wrote: From: MariaAA AT aol.com Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 11:13 AM Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/other word for it).? ? Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, are essentially not observed to be feeding.? There are large numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a GIVEN direction. ?It is a very different--and cool--?situation to see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone who pays attention to odes at all!).? This 'parade' can go on for many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT coastal?? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit)? It is also speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns.? And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this phenomenon tends to occur--late summer.? Hopefully we'll hear some observations of it this year! ? Maria -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Corbiere To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups. com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout ? Hello Yvonne, ? Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year,?I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my?yard. It isn't unusual?for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other.?They are mostly flying between about?one and four feet off the ground, but?a few?of them are always going up higher and returning. At?quick glance,?one can't see what their up to, but if? I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me.?Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms,?at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard,?but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. ? I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! ? As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. ? Best Wishes, Glenn ? ? ? Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter. net From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups. com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout ? As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded meadow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:16:43 -0700 Hello, all. Species of Aeshna have been reported as moving in the same flights as Anax junius, but I think the "darner swarms" that Yvonne and Glenn were writing about are no more than feeding aggregations at places where there is an abundance of prey species. They're not swarms in the sense of bee swarms, where the individuals are actually attracted to one another. Instead, the dragonflies are attracted to the prey insects, but they may well find those prey insects by cluing in on where other dragonflies are feeding. These sorts of aggregations have been reported in just about all kinds of dragonflies that are "fliers," those that feed in flight (darners Aeshnidae and emeralds Corduliidae of several genera, also fliers of the skimmer family Libellulidae such as gliders and saddlebags). I know of feeding aggregations in at least these North American genera: Aeshna Anax Coryphaeschna Epiaeschna Gynacantha Rhionaeschna Triacanthagyna Cordulia Epitheca Somatochlora Brachymesia (not a typical flier, but B. gravida aggregates) Brechmorhoga Macrothemis Miathyria Pantala Tauriphila Tramea Some of the flier libellulids are also migratory. Migratory dragonflies do feed during their migrations, just as swallows and swifts do. This is of course quite logical when these migrations extend over hundreds of miles. The dragonflies reported to fly at night were Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) in Asia, perhaps an adaptation that allows them to make long over-water flights. Many of you now have read about the Pantala migration across the Indian Ocean. Quite a few North American dragonflies have been found to fly over the Gulf of Mexico (many records from offshore oil rigs), so some of them may also fly at night. Dennis On Aug 18, 2009, at 11:21 AM, Carolyn King wrote: > > Thanks for clarifying that, Maria. > I had been told that this kind of cluster was a migratory swarm, > and I'm afraid I've been repeating it to others. I guess I had the > idea that they were pausing to feed en route, and would rest for > the night before moving on. But I think they fly through the > night? I seem to remember a link to a radar map which showed > migratory dragonfly swarms, although I think they were talking > about smaller species. > > Cheers, > Carolyn King, > Toronto > > MariaAA AT aol.com > Sent by: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > 08/18/09 11:14 AM > > To > NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > cc > Subject > Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout > > Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner > migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe > that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax > (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/ > other word for it). > > Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, > are essentially not observed to be feeding. There are large > numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not > stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a > GIVEN direction. It is a very different--and cool-- situation to > see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone > who pays attention to odes at all!). This 'parade' can go on for > many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger > freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT > coastal? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit) It is also > speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns. > And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this > phenomenon tends to occur--late summer. Hopefully we'll hear some > observations of it this year! > > Maria > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Glenn Corbiere > To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am > Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout > > > Hello Yvonne, > > Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about > this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large > feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't > unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my > front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are > mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a > few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick > glance, one can't see what their up to, but if I get down close to > the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If > mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of > the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head > when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than > these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my > yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding > swarms,&nbs! p;at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent > to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there > might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to > collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are > feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town > in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They > are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. > Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have > always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But > occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. > I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are > not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is > possible that other species are there in small numbers. > > I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, > Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika > sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to > return for quite some time, she usually knows why! > > As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying > that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does > regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I > was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of > Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the > thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They > were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna > tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. > > Best Wishes, > Glenn > > Glenn Corbiere > 100 Prospect St. > Chester, MA. 01011-9657 > > www.dragonhunter.net > > > > From: ymerriamphoto > To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM > Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout > > > As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of > emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an > inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca > Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to > be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna > verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to > seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows > near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was > met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds > yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of > the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the > grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the > trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they > paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look > across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded > mea! dow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the > vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was > decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of > these beautiful odes? > > Yvonne Merriam > Baldwinsville, NY > __._,_._ > . > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: "mary b. ffolliott" <luckydogfarm AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:27:07 -0400 Is feeding frenzy too dramatic? Sissy ffolliott Lucky Dog Farm Ipswich MA On Aug 18, 2009, at 11:13 AM, MariaAA AT aol.com wrote: > > Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner > migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe > that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax > (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/ > other word for it). > > Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, > are essentially not observed to be feeding. There are large > numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not > stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a > GIVEN direction. It is a very different--and cool-- situation to > see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone > who pays attention to odes at all!). This 'parade' can go on for > many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger > freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT > coastal? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit) It is also > speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns. > And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this > phenomenon tends to occur--late summer. Hopefully we'll hear some > observations of it this year! > > Maria > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Glenn Corbiere > To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am > Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout > > > Hello Yvonne, > > Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about > this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large > feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't > unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my > front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are > mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a > few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick > glance, one can't see what their up to, but if I get down close to > the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If > mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of > the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head > when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than > these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my > yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding > swarms, at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a > wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might > be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to > collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are > feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town > in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They > are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. > Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have > always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But > occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. > I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are > not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is > possible that other species are there in small numbers. > > I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, > Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika > sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to > return for quite some time, she usually knows why! > > As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying > that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does > regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I > was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of > Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the > thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They > were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna > tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. > > Best Wishes, > Glenn > > > > Glenn Corbiere > 100 Prospect St. > Chester, MA. 01011-9657 > > www.dragonhunter.net > > > From: ymerriamphoto > To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM > Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout > > > As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of > emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an > inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca > Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to > be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna > verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to > seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows > near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was > met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds > yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of > the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the > grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the > trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they > paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look > across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded > meadow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the > vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was > decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of > these beautiful odes? > > Yvonne Merriam > Baldwinsville, NY > > > Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: Carolyn King <cking AT yorku.ca> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:21:57 -0400 Thanks for clarifying that, Maria. I had been told that this kind of cluster was a migratory swarm, and I'm afraid I've been repeating it to others. I guess I had the idea that they were pausing to feed en route, and would rest for the night before moving on. But I think they fly through the night? I seem to remember a link to a radar map which showed migratory dragonfly swarms, although I think they were talking about smaller species. Cheers, Carolyn King, Toronto MariaAA AT aol.com Sent by: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com 08/18/09 11:14 AM To NEodes AT yahoogroups.com cc Subject Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/other word for it). Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, are essentially not observed to be feeding. There are large numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a GIVEN direction. It is a very different--and cool-- situation to see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone who pays attention to odes at all!). This 'parade' can go on for many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT coastal? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit) It is also speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns. And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this phenomenon tends to occur--late summer. Hopefully we'll hear some observations of it this year! Maria -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Corbiere To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Hello Yvonne, Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick glance, one can't see what their up to, but if I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms,&nbs! p;at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. Best Wishes, Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded mea! dow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: MariaAA AT aol.com Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:13:13 -0400 Just to clarify a response to your question (Yvonne) about darner migratory behavior--and in response to Glenn's reply--I believe that what you both have described, both for Aeshnas and for Anax (Glenn), are both examples of feeding swarms (there may be a better/other word for it).? Migratory swarms, which are often made up heavily of Anax junius, are essentially not observed to be feeding.? There are large numbers (often 1000s, or more) that are ALL flying (note, not stopping, exploring, feeding, changing altitude) directly in a GIVEN direction. ?It is a very different--and cool--?situation to see, and you will notice it right away (even if you aren't someone who pays attention to odes at all!).? This 'parade' can go on for many minutes, and is often coastal (either maritime or larger freshwater bodies)...though has anyone observed this anywhere NOT coastal?? (haven't seen that mentioned in the lit)? It is also speculated to be related, somehow, to certain weather patterns.? And, I believe, we are approaching the time of year when this phenomenon tends to occur--late summer.? Hopefully we'll hear some observations of it this year! Maria -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Corbiere To: ymerriamphoto ; NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 10:40 am Subject: Re: [NEodes] Darner Fallout Hello Yvonne, ? Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year,?I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my?yard. It isn't unusual?for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other.?They are mostly flying between about?one and four feet off the ground, but?a few?of them are always going up higher and returning. At?quick glance,?one can't see what their up to, but if? I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me.?Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms,?at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard,?but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. ? I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! ? As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. ? Best Wishes, Glenn ? ? ? Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout ? As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded meadow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY Subject: Re: Darner Fallout From: Glenn Corbiere <gcorbiere AT dragonhunter.net> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:40:22 -0700 (PDT) Hello Yvonne, Aeshna feeding swarms are truly a sight to behold. Every year about this time of year, I come home in the late afternoon to large feeding swarms of mosaic darners darting about my yard. It isn't unusual for me to find 100 darners zipping and zigzaging about my front yard. You can hear their wings bumping each other. They are mostly flying between about one and four feet off the ground, but a few of them are always going up higher and returning. At quick glance, one can't see what their up to, but if  I get down close to the ground, I see little flies coming up from the ground cover. If mosquitoes start flying around my head, they'll pick them out of the air, and periodically I even feel them bumping against my head when feeding on the insects that are going after me. Other than these feeding swarms, I might see a darner or two flying around my yard. If I take in my two neighbor's yards during the feeding swarms, at the bend in the road I live on, which is adjacent to a wooded area, a medium sized river and a small stream, there might be hundreds of mosaic darners. Where do they all come from to collect here so suddenly? That I do not know. While they are feeding like this, in the seven years I've lived in this small town in Western Massachusetts, I've never seen a single one land. They are on a mission, and stick to it. There is no time for resting. Whenever I have netted an individual of two of the swarm, they have always been Aeshna tuberculifera aka Black-tipped Darners. But occassionally I know I am seeing a few Anax junius, but farther up. I've never really netted or seen any other Aeshna darners that are not A. tuberculifera in the swarms around my yard, but it is possible that other species are there in small numbers. I never fail to enjoy the spectacle of it. As you pointed out, Yvonne, they pay you no attention whatsoever! If my partner Sika sends me out to the garden for something for dinner, and I fail to return for quite some time, she usually knows why! As far as I know, the Aeshna darners are non-migratory (I'm saying that with a brittish accent in my mind), however Anax junius does regularly migrate. I do run into large numbers of them at times. I was in one open area adjacent to the Westfield River in my town of Chester a few years back, and I estimated that there were in the thousands of Anax junius in this one relatively small area! They were doing some feeding and flying about, but unlike the Aeshna tuberculifera feeding swarms, were often just resting in the grasses. Best Wishes, Glenn Glenn Corbiere 100 Prospect St. Chester, MA. 01011-9657 www.dragonhunter.net ________________________________ From: ymerriamphoto To: NEodes AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:35:17 AM Subject: [NEodes] Darner Fallout   As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded meadow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY Subject: Darner Fallout From: "ymerriamphoto" <ymerriamphoto AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:35:17 -0000 As a newbie to odonata, I'm not yet aware of the cyclic patterns of emergence and migration. But on Monday, Aug 17 I observed an inordinate amount of mosaic darners at Montezuma NWR near Seneca Falls, NY. While I haven't edited my photos yet, they appeared to be either Canada, Aeshna canadensis or Green-striped, Aeshna verticalis to my untrained naked eye. While I am accustomed to seeing the usual Common Green, Anax junius, patrolling the meadows near the buildings and observation tower at the Main Complex, I was met with an estimated 30-40 in the short walk around those grounds yesterday. The majority were actively hunting males in the shade of the tall deciduous trees, which literally scoured and combed the grass and then would do the same to the vertical trunks of the trees....only to fly back about 20 and start all over again. they paid no attention to me at all. At any given moment, I could look across the grass and see a dozen hunting thusly in this one shaded meadow. The only females I detected were nestled deeply in the vegetation. The general direction these darners were taking was decidedly south. Can I assume that this is an annual migration of these beautiful odes? Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, NY