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11 May Dragonfly Days are nearly here! ["Joshua Rose" ] 10 May Great Pondhawk #2 and Swamp Darner, Denton County ["Lawrence Duhon" ] 9 May RE: damselfly ID help needed ["Joshua Rose" ] 9 May damselfly ID help needed ["Lawrence Duhon" ] 8 May Great Pondhawk in Denton County ["Lawrence Duhon" ] 06 May hemie odonata as aqutic insect ["mahmoudboraie_enviroscience" ] 05 May Variable Dancer eaten by Golden-cheeked Warbler ["Greg Lasley" ] 2 May LRGV list [] 02 May San Antonio Express-News Article on Martin Reid ["david_t_dauphin" ] 02 May I have added you to my friends network today! ["girlkorider" ] 23 Apr a few updates, plus another odd Argia from Fort Worth... [Martin Reid ] 22 Apr I sent you a message but haven't heard back from you! ["newvifriend" ] 17 Apr correction concerning the rare Valley darner [Martin Reid ] 17 Apr a rare darner from south Texas Tuesday [Martin Reid ] 17 Apr You have 1 new message! ["girldpblog" ] 16 Apr New Odes for the Season ["dragonflywatcher1029" ] 16 Apr Recent Post regarding the Llano Estacado Audubon Trail ["dragonflywatcher1029" ] 16 Apr Llano Estacado Audubon Trail Under Attack ["dragonflywatcher1029" ] 15 Apr Hornsby Bend Dragonflies ["DHH787" ] 13 Apr Re: Epitheca (Baskettails) ["John C. Abbott" ] 13 Apr Bentsen odes 4-13-08 ["Joshua Rose" ] 11 Apr ID for dragonfly from Edwards County, Nueces River near Camp Wood ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 10 Apr Furtive Forktail I. prognata yesterday east of Livingston, TX [Martin Reid ] 10 Apr Dragonfly Days 2008 in Weslaco!! ["Martin Hagne" ] 7 Apr RE: Camp Wood Hills and Nueces River, SE Edwards Co. 5 April 2008 ["Joshua Rose" ] 7 Apr photo of Coral-fronted Threadtail at NABA, LRGV [Martin Reid ] 7 Apr Camp Wood Hills and Nueces River, SE Edwards Co. 5 April 2008 ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 6 Apr Bentsen odes 3-6-08 ["Joshua Rose" ] 4 Apr FW: Volunteers needed for TNC study of odonate surveying ["Joshua Rose" ] 1 Apr Photo: Citrine Forktail [Tim Jones ] 30 Mar Bentsen odes and OC uploads including first US Brechmorhoga praecox ["Joshua Rose" ] 29 Mar RE: Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity ["Intl Odonata Research Inst" ] 28 Mar RE: Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity ["Nick and Ailsa Donnelly" ] 28 Mar Re: East Texas Odes ["Greg Lasley" ] 28 Mar RE: East Texas Odes ["John C. Abbott" ] 28 Mar Re: Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity [Dennis Paulson ] 28 Mar FW: Please Help Protect the Ouachita National Forest ["John Fisher" ] 28 Mar Flying in East Texas recently: G. apomyius, E. spinosa, etc. [Martin Reid ] 28 Mar Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity ["dragonflywatcher1029" ] 27 Mar McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Odes this week ["David Arbour" ] 22 Mar Re: Texas Seasonality now online ["John C. Abbott" ] 21 Mar odes in S. Dallas Co. ["Lawrence Duhon" ] 21 Mar Re: Re: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas, Vol. 3 now available ["John C. Abbott" ] 21 Mar Re: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas, Vol. 3 now available ["John C. Abbott" ] 16 Mar Bentsen dragonfly walk 3-16-08 ["Joshua Rose" ] 16 Mar Turquoise-tipped Darner-Rhionaeschna psilus ["david_t_dauphin" ] 15 Mar Field trip report - Travis Co., 15 March 2008 ["Greg Lasley" ] 14 Mar Bentsen Prince Baskettail 3-14-08 ["Joshua Rose" ] 13 Mar male or female? ["Lawrence Duhon" ] 9 Mar Bentsen odes 3-9-08 ["Joshua Rose" ] 08 Mar You have received a NEW friend request! ["matchbmifriends" ] 5 Mar Oklahoma Odes today ["David Arbour" ] Subject: Dragonfly Days are nearly here! From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 12:13:45 -0500 Howdy folks, Less than a week remaining until the 2008 edition/resurrection of Dragonfly Days! Anyone who was holding off on registration, expecting it to be cancelled again, might want to sign up before your favorite field trips fill up... We have a great list of speakers and topics lined up. Keynote speaker Tim Manolis, author of "Dragonflies and Damselflies of California", will speak on "Dragonflies Around the World". Bob Behrstock will bring the latest edition of his traditional "Dragonflies 101" opening lecture. Others include Martin Reid talking about contributions by amateurs to odonatology, Terry Fuller on backyard dragonfly habitats, UTPA professor Matt Terry on early dragonfly development, Joe Patt on the senses of insects, and yours truly discussing insects that look like odonates but aren't. The field trips figure to visit several exciting LRGV locations. Tom Langscheid and TPWD naturalist Kyle O'Haver will join Bob, Tim, Martin, Matt, Joe, and myself in leading them. Based on past years, you can safely expect most, if not all, of the leaders to happily stop for exciting birds, butterflies, reptiles, beetles, and other critters in between odonates. Bob will lead a Friday morning expedition to Santa Ana NWR. Saturday's three trips include the McAllen Nature Center, Sabal Palm Audubon Preserve, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, and much more on their itineraries, while Sunday's groups should hit the NABA International Butterfly Park, Hugh Ramsey Nature Preserve, and Rio Rico Road among others. We plan to visit some of the more intriguing, convenient, or historically productive sites like Anzalduas County Park, the Olmito Fishponds, and Resaca de la Palma State Park on both days. For all that and more, see: http://www.valleynaturecenter.org/dragonflydays/2008/2008%20Schedule.pdf See you next weekend! Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: Great Pondhawk #2 and Swamp Darner, Denton County From: "Lawrence Duhon" <lawrence AT duhons.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 14:47:17 -0500 I went back to Bob Jones Nature Center again this morning seeking to document the presence of the Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa) that I saw on Thursday. I was pleased to find several of this species patrolling the pond, sparring with a Swamp Darner. It took a lot of patience to find on at rest (http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/3011005_Eur2b/4/292800335_XeLjb#292800335 _XeLjb-A-LB), but it was worth the wait. Also present were at least one pair of Blue Dashers, a male Roseate Skimmer, numerous Common Whitetails, and a few male Eastern Pondhawks. I submitted this apparent new county record on OdonataCentral. I also had a Blue Dasher emerge from my backyard pond early this morning-always neat to see. Lawrence Duhon Fort Worth, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: damselfly ID help needed From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:29:55 -0500 Looks from here like an immature male Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii). I was confused by the blue-striped ones at first until someone on this list, probably Dennis or John, explained to me that the thoracic markings are blue when they first emerge and do not turn green until later. Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 > -----Original Message----- > From: Lawrence Duhon > Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 1:30 PM > To: TexOdes > Subject: [TexOdes] damselfly ID help needed > > > I was out in my back yard (Fort Worth-northern Tarrant > County) about 12:20 > today and saw a damselfly that caught my attention. I first > notice the > mostly dark abdomen (at least dorsally) with a coppery > metallic cast to it. > There was also a hint of this metallic cast on the thorax and > head. I don't > recall seeing this species before. I tried to get a natural > photo, but it > was too wary. I then decided to catch it and photograph it > in hand (before > releasing it unharmed). Here are five photos: > > > > http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/4899008_RUqxL#292395661_qXJTD > > > > Thanks in advance for your help with this one! Subject: damselfly ID help needed From: "Lawrence Duhon" <lawrence AT duhons.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 13:30:20 -0500 I was out in my back yard (Fort Worth-northern Tarrant County) about 12:20 today and saw a damselfly that caught my attention. I first notice the mostly dark abdomen (at least dorsally) with a coppery metallic cast to it. There was also a hint of this metallic cast on the thorax and head. I don't recall seeing this species before. I tried to get a natural photo, but it was too wary. I then decided to catch it and photograph it in hand (before releasing it unharmed). Here are five photos: http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/4899008_RUqxL#292395661_qXJTD Thanks in advance for your help with this one! Lawrence Duhon Fort Worth, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Great Pondhawk in Denton County From: "Lawrence Duhon" <lawrence AT duhons.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 16:44:31 -0500 I made my first visit to the new Bob Jones Nature Center in Southlake (just far enough north to be in Denton County). It is an excellent tract of pristine Cross-Timbers land, and it has an excellent new visitor center and butterfly garden landscaped with nothing but the best native nectar plants. As I reached the pond toward the back of the property, I spotted a GREAT PONDHAWK (Erythemis vesiculosa). At first I assumed it was a female Eastern Pondhawk, but when I got it in the binoculars I could tell that it was a Great instead. As I was raising my camera to get photo documentation, the bug vanished! I stayed around there and looked for it for over half an hour, but I never saw it again. I'll try to get back there again soon to document this. Would this be a new county record for Denton County? I saw two records for Tarrant County and at least one for Collin County. This was quite a pleasant surprise for me on a lovely day in the field! Lawrence Duhon Fort Worth, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: hemie odonata as aqutic insect From: "mahmoudboraie_enviroscience" <mahmoudboraie_enviroscience AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 09:33:04 -0000 I need some information abaute hemie odonata as aquatic insect (life sycle- do it transform heave metals ) and musqatos water and water peatels** thankes Subject: Variable Dancer eaten by Golden-cheeked Warbler From: "Greg Lasley" <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 17:15:02 -0000 Hi All, Perhaps a new bird to add to the odonate predator list is Golden-cheeked Warbler. The other day I was spending some time following a 2nd year male GCW around just west of Austin. The bird flew down to the ground, grabbed a damselfly, and then sat on a small twig with its prize for a few seconds before gobbling it down. I think it is a young male Variable/Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea). Anyway, I thought it was interesting. The bottom 3 shots at: http://www.greglasley.net/gcwarbler2.html will show the sequence. Greg Lasley Austin Subject: LRGV list From: azurebluet AT aol.com Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 21:02:13 EDT I spent Apr 23 - 29 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley looking for Tamaulipan Clubtail - Gomphus gonzalezi and Martin Reid's new-for-the-U.S. Coryphaeschna without success. I visited Anzalduas County Park, LRGV NWR including Santa Ana, Bentsen State Park, Llano Grande State Park and NABA Butterfly Park. Despite dry conditions (and then some rain) I saw 44 species of Odonata. Many thanks to my local guides Dave Hanson, David and Jan Dauphin, and Josh Rose. Ed Lam Eastchester, NY Smoky Rubyspot - Hetaerina titia Rainpool Spreadwing - Lestes forficula Amelia's Threadtail - Neoneura amelia Blue-fronted Dancer - Argia apicalis Powdered Dancer - Argia moesta Blue-ringed Dancer - Argia sedula Dusky Dancer - Argia translata Double-striped Bluet - Enallagma basidens Familiar Bluet - Enallagma civile Neotropical Bluet - Enallagma novaehispaniae Citrine Forktail - Ischnura hastata Rambur's Forktail - Ischnura ramburii Caribbean Yellowface - Neoerythromma cultellatum Desert Firetail - Telebasis salva Common Green Darner - Anax junius Blue-faced Darner - Coryphaeschna adnexa Narrow-striped Forceptail - Apylla protracta Flag-tailed Spinylegs - Dromogomphus spoliatus Eastern Ringtail - Erpetogomphus designatus Sulphur-tipped Clubtail - Gomphus militaris Ringed Forceptail - Phyllocycla breviphylla Five-striped Leaftail - Phyllogomphoides albrighti Russet-tipped Clubtail - Stylurus plagiatus Prince Baskettail - Epitheca princeps Red-tailed Pennant - Brachymesia furcata Checkered Setwing - Dythemis fugax Black Setwing - Dythemis nigrescens Pin-tailed Pondhawk - Erythemis plebeja Eastern Pondhawk - Erythemis simplicicollis Great Pondhawk - Erythemis vesiculosa Band-winged Dragonlet - Erythrodiplax umbrata Straw-colored Sylph - Macrothemis inacuta Hyacinth Glider - Miathyria marcella Spot-tailed Dasher - Micrathyria aequalis Three-striped Dasher - Micrathyria didyma Thornbush Dasher - Micrathyria hagenii Carmine Skimmer - Orthemis discolor Roseate Skimmer - Orthemis ferruginea Blue Dasher - Pachydiplax longipennis Wandering Glider - Pantala flavescens Spot-winged Glider - Pantala hymenea Eastern Amberwing - Perithemis tenera Striped Saddlebags - Tramea calverti Red Saddlebags - Tramea onusta Photographs at: http://homepage.mac.com/edlam/dragonflyroad/LRGV.html ************** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: San Antonio Express-News Article on Martin Reid From: "david_t_dauphin" <dauphins AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 20:44:21 -0000 There is a great article on Martin Reid's Dragonfly and Damselfly search in the San Antonio Express-News. To view the article, go to: http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/stories/MYSA0503.1F.Dragons.2d6066b.h tml David Dauphin www.TheDauphins.net Subject: I have added you to my friends network today! From: "girlkorider" <girlkorider AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 05:47:28 -0000 I created this cool friends network and added you to my friends network. Hit-up now: http://justplainme.zoomshare.com/files/girlfriend.htm Subject: a few updates, plus another odd Argia from Fort Worth... From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:37:49 -0500 Dear All, I've updated my page on the recent Darner with more images (from the original event - no new sightings, sadly): http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate165.html - if anyone could supply me with images (live or specimen) of young females (or males) of C. apeora or C. diapyra, I'd be MOST grateful! I've added a handful of odes from mostly Sinaloa, Mexico: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX05.html - any help confirming the IDs would be welcomed - thanks. I've updated the page on the strange nahuana-like Argia from the Davis Mtns, west Texas: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate155.html - does anyone have experience of a nahuana similar to this? - and I've added yet another weird Argia from the same creek in western Tarrant county, Texas as the previous two (but from a month earlier): http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate166.html I would REALLY appreciate any feedback on the three Fort Worth Argia, either individually or collectively, as I am mystified by this situation (there's no Nuclear plant upstream...) Cheers, Martin -- >Martin Reid >San Antonio, Texas >mailto:upupa AT airmail.net >http://www.martinreid.com Subject: I sent you a message but haven't heard back from you! From: "newvifriend" <newvifriend AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:53:00 -0000 I sent you a message but haven't heard back from you! Check out my page and send me a line: http://bcmysterylov.tripod.com/AboutMe.htm Subject: correction concerning the rare Valley darner From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:18:59 -0500 Dear all, Dennis has kindly pointed out that I've bee misspelling the name of that bug - it's G. apeora - not epeora - sorry about that... Martin -- Martin Reid San Antonio, Texas mailto:upupa AT airmail.net http://www.martinreid.com Subject: a rare darner from south Texas Tuesday From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:03:34 -0500 Dear all, I spent two days in the Valley looking in vain for G. gonzalezi - but I did happen upon a large darner that seems to be something really interesting: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate165.html I felt it was not C. adnexa Blue-faced Darner (too large, for a start) and was trying to turn in into C. viriditas Mangrove Darner, but to my surprise Dennis Paulson, Nick Donnelly and others think it is probably C. epeora (I don't think it has a common name yet - Dennis?) - one of two species from eastern Mexico that Dennis described for the first time in 1994. These two taxa (the other is C. diapyra) can be rather similar in certain ages/sexes - although the male diapyra is strikingly red, apparently. Study is ongoing to see if there is enough detail in my photos for an identification; either species would be new for the United States. At this time the experts seem to favor epeora as the ID, even though this is much rarer than diapyra; part of this apparent rarity may be due to the habit of epeora of flying high almost all the time - as did this bug. Anyway, I wanted to give all you folks lucky enough to be in the Valley (or visiting it soon) a heads-up about this critter; past experience shows that when conditions are right for one Mexican stray ode to be discovered that there are others also waiting to be found - good luck! Martin -- >Martin Reid >San Antonio, Texas >mailto:upupa AT airmail.net >http://www.martinreid.com Subject: You have 1 new message! From: "girldpblog" <girldpblog AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:06:52 -0000 You have 1 new message! Check the new message here: http://adielki.zoomshare.com/files/newmessage.htm Subject: New Odes for the Season From: "dragonflywatcher1029" <dragonflywatcher1029 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:01:15 -0000 Yesterday, I caught my first Rhionaeschna multicolor, got new season pics of Argia plana (male and a few in copula with females). Today, I went to Clapp Park playa (very windy) and on the northern bank blocked from the wind, I caught my first Anax junius (male). Also caught an Orthemis ferruginea (male) but accidently let him go before I could get any pics (shucks!). Other species seen at Clapp were: R. multicolor (male), Tramea onusta (males and females), Enallagma civile (males and females), Lestes alacer (males and females), and the big surprise...Erythemis vesiculosa [didn't see any last season]! Jerry K. Hatfield Subject: Recent Post regarding the Llano Estacado Audubon Trail From: "dragonflywatcher1029" <dragonflywatcher1029 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:55:12 -0000 Sorry again for not signing my name to the post. I, Jerry K. Hatfield, of Lubbock, Texas, posted that commentary. Subject: Llano Estacado Audubon Trail Under Attack From: "dragonflywatcher1029" <dragonflywatcher1029 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:04:04 -0000 The trail has been under attack from the powers that be of the Buffalo Springs Lake management resources for some time now, but this past December, major developments began utilizing major portions of the trail for motorcross racing. The local Audubon Society has worked hard to prevent such efforts to take the trail away from them, but the current leadership of the local society is not as strong as they once were and several are ready to give up the fight altogether. Of course this is just what the management of BSL has hoped would happen. I share this with you fellow Texas Odes because this last wild stronghold has been the place where I've documented most of my records these past couple of years and especially the Rhionaeschna psilus that was a major find up here in Lubbock. It is a sad day for me as I consider the continued encroachments that will undoubtedly be made on the nature trail with hardly a voice to hold back the tide of these most recent efforts the greed-mongers to get their hands on the trail region. And, of course, since the trail in on BSL property, their can do as they please, even though there is still a contract with the Audubon Society in place. But, if the local Audubon Society chapter folds (as it appears will happen soon), there is really nothing that can be done on the local level it seems. The current manager of BSL is behind these changes but confesses that he really is not for getting rid of the nature trail, but he has been caught in many half-truths and outright lies to the point that he cannot be trusted. So...the end result seems grim. I foresee that one day soon, the nature trail will be a thing in past memory, and that anyone who attempts to explore the area will be in danger of being run over by dirt-bike motorcross enthusiasts. Subject: Hornsby Bend Dragonflies From: "DHH787" <dhh787 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:55:14 -0000 Yesterday I found a Filigree Skimmer at Hornsby Bend off Platt Lane east of Austin. Photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/dhh787/FiligreeSkimmerHornsbyBendPlattLaneAustinApril142008 I watched a large Prince Baskettail cruising about when another dragonfly swooped in and tussled with it. I thought it was a mating, but then the pair landed and I saw a Comet Darner eating the Prince Baskettail. Those are two large dragonflies. Photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/dhh787/CometDarnerEatingAPrinceBaskettailHornsbyBendPlattLaneApril142008 --Dan Hardy Subject: Re: Epitheca (Baskettails) From: "John C. Abbott" <jcabbott AT mail.utexas.edu> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:28:13 -0500 Hi Everyone, I've put together some notes on identifying male Epitheca (Baskettails) and placed them on the Odonata Survey of Texas portion of OdonataCentral (www.odonatacentral.org). Here is a direct link, http://www.odonatacentral.org/views/pdfs/Texas_Epitheca.pdf This is a difficult group to identify, especially from photographs, but hopefully this will help. I suspect I will continually update it, so comments are welcome. For anyone interested in contributing to our knowledge of this group, I would like to solicit specimens from you. Please contact me if you are interested in collecting specimens for this study. Cheers, John [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bentsen odes 4-13-08 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:59:37 -0500 Howdy folks, Tom Pendleton dropped in this afternoon, which reminds me to post that the Bentsen weekly dragonfly walk is officially on Friday afternoons now, rather than Sunday. Still 1:30-3:30 PM. Anyway, as long as Tom was here, we spent some time looking around anyway. We saw, but were unable to photograph, a Narrow-striped Forceptail, about two weeks before the currently established early date. The Spot-tailed Dashers were more cooperative; one male was on the garden pond, two others near the boat ramp. Will upload a photo to the OC when possible. Even though I spent a lot of time birding and only an hour or so ode-ing, and skipped the bridge where most of the park's running-water damsels live, still managed 15 dragon species and 9 damsels. The list: Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) a male in the park maintenance yard Kiowa Dancer (A. immunda) a male in the usual spot on the concrete square in the garden pond Blue-ringed Dancer (A. sedula) males in all locations Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) all locations but especially abundant at the resaca Familiar Bluet (E. civile) also abundant at the resaca Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) a male and female in the pond Rambur's Forktail (I. ramburii) a few males at the resaca Caribbean Yellowface (Neoerythromma cultellatum) at least 4 males at the resaca Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) at least 2 males on the pond Green Darner (Anax junius) 1 male flew over the hawk tower Narrow-striped Forceptail (Aphylla protracta) 1 male on the irrigation canal Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata) 1-2 males at the resaca Four-spotted Pennant (B. gravida) Tom described one well from the canal; one also reported from resaca Black Setwing (Dythemis nigrescens) a few males along the canal Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) a male or two on the pond, female in the garden Great Pondhawk (E. vesiculosa) 1 male on the pond Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) 1 male on the pond Spot-tailed Dasher (Micrathyria aequalis) 1 male on the pond, 2 at the resaca Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) suddenly abundant at the pond Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) 4-5 over the lawn near my office Spot-winged Glider (P. hymenea) 1-2 with the above, 1 more at the hawk tower Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) 1 male at the resaca Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) a few scattered around Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) a lot scattered around Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: ID for dragonfly from Edwards County, Nueces River near Camp Wood From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:56:37 -0500 I have another for ID help. I think it is Plains Clubtail (Gomphus externus). It looks like it has just emerged and is a female. What do you think? http://thehibbitts.net/terry/4-10-2008/unk3.1886.jpg Numbers of species was higher today than the other day. American Rubyspot, Comanche Dancer, Coppery Dancer, Kiowa Dancer, Blue-ringed Dancer, Dusky Dancer, Double-striped bluet, Desert Firetail, Dot-winged Baskettail, Pale-faced Clubskimmer, Black Setwing, Eastern Pondhawk, Roseate Skimmer, and Filigree Skimmer. The site is where Miller Creek empties into the Nueces River one mile west of Camp Wood on CR 390, Edwards County, Pecan Park. Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Furtive Forktail I. prognata yesterday east of Livingston, TX From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:17:34 -0500 Dear all, Yesterday I made another effort (in vain) to locate the Harlequin Darners Gomphaeschna seen by John and Greg almost two weeks ago, west of Jasper close to the Angelina River. I did catch a few Epitheca and a new early date mature male Regal Darner Coryphaeschna ingens among the abundant feeding Swamp Darners E. heros. At a picnic area just west of Woodville on H190 (Tyler county) I found a new early date Burgundy Bluet E. dubium, a NCR Skimming Bluet E. geminatum, and most exciting of all, a lovely male Furtive Forktail slowly working some sedges along a short seep trickle: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate163.html The first and only other record of this taxon for Texas was caught along H2225 between Coldspring and Cleveland, San Jacinto county back in the mid-1940s by Nick Donnelly, so it was fitting that by chance I was meeting Nick and Ailsa for dinner that very evening in Livingston, and Nick was the first person to see my pics of this elusive ghost... Nick was going to look for the forktail today - hopefully we'll hear about his day on this forum soonish. The above records have been submitted to OC. Cheers, Martin -- >Martin Reid >San Antonio, Texas >mailto:upupa AT airmail.net >http://www.martinreid.com Subject: Dragonfly Days 2008 in Weslaco!! From: "Martin Hagne" <martinhagne AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:26:20 -0000 Dragonflying Is the New Birding "Dragonfly Days" May 15-18 Showcases New Pursuit Media Contact: Texas Parks & Wildlife - Katy Pine 512-389-4577, katy.pine AT tpwd.state.tx.us or Tom Harvey 512-389-4453, tom.harvey AT tpwd.state.tx.us WESLACO, Texas – The birding industry has established universal appeal, but birds and butterflies are not the only winged migrants to attract a crowd. Dragonflies and damselflies are gaining popularity among wildlife enthusiasts, and southern Texas is home to 93 species, making it one of the most biologically diverse regions in the United States. The 9th annual Dragonfly Days weekend is a chance to see why dragonflying is becoming as popular as birding in some places. The event takes place in Weslaco May 15-18 and is sponsored by the Estero Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center site near Weslaco and the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. For those who want to learn how to tell a skimmer from a glider, and understand how these colorful insects play an interesting and vital role in maintaining a healthy environment, Dragonfly Days will offer seminars, field trips, social events and a banquet with a silent auction. It's also an awesome opportunity for those of you already fully versed in "Odonate" to catch up with old friends in the field and see some cool odes! "This is an opportunity for people to discover a new passion and rediscover the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where one third of the total Texas population of dragonflies can be found," said Jennifer Owen- White, Estero Llano Grande State Park natural resource specialist. White said most of the events will be held at the event's host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. Keynote speaker, Tim Manolis, plans to discuss ways amateur dragonfly enthusiasts can begin to explore secrets waiting to be revealed about dragonflies worldwide. Other experts will be guiding field trips to area wetlands with the greatest dragonfly diversity. Organizers say visitors should make sure to bring binoculars, sturdy shoes and protection from the sun. For local families and children, the Valley Nature Center is also hosting the Dragonfly Family Nature Day on Saturday May 10, from 10am to 2pm. For more details about Dragonfly Days and the Dragonfly Family Nature Day, call (956) 969-2475 or e-mail info AT valleynaturecenter.org. Pre- registration is required for all seminars, field trips and the banquet. Register by April 30 to avoid a price increase. More information can also be found on the Valley Nature Center's Web page. ----- On the Net: http://www.valleynaturecenter.org/dragonflydays/2008/dragonfly2008.htm l Best to all, Martin Hagne Valley Nature Center Weslaco, TX Subject: RE: Camp Wood Hills and Nueces River, SE Edwards Co. 5 April 2008 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:55:32 -0500 > -----Original Message----- > From: Terry Hibbitts > > These two photographs are of female or immature males. I > could not match them with anything from my sources. Help. > > www.thehibbitts.net/terry/4-6-2008/unk1.jpg It is a female. An Enallagma sp., a Bluet. Might even go so far as to say Familiar Bluet, E. civile, at least if it were down here in the Valley; not sure if Edwards County has a few other species which might cause confusion... > www.thehibbitts.net/terry/4-6-2008/unk2.jpg A female Forktail, Ischnura sp. I think I see the upside-down exclamation point on its back that would make it Fragile Forktail, I. posita. Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: photo of Coral-fronted Threadtail at NABA, LRGV From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:22:51 -0500 Dear all, Further to Josh's report, I did manage to get an IDable pic of the N. aaroni, along with N. amelias on the Rio Grande south of the NABA Butterfly Park yesterday. I had been looking for Tamaulipan Clubtail, but the only gomphids I saw were east of Santa Ana - a handful of teneral Russet-tipped Clubtails. The aaroni pic has been submitted to OC. Cheers, Martin -- Martin Reid San Antonio, Texas mailto:upupa AT airmail.net http://www.martinreid.com Subject: Camp Wood Hills and Nueces River, SE Edwards Co. 5 April 2008 From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 10:21:04 -0500 Observed and photographed a few odes on my property and down on the Nueces River 4 miles from the house. A few Argia cuprea (Coppery Dancer), many Argia immunda (Kiowa Dancer), one Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer), one on property and two on River Enallagma basidens (Double-striped Bluet), Three Epitheca petechialis (Dot-winged Baskettail), and three I could not ID. These two photographs are of female or immature males. I could not match them with anything from my sources. Help. www.thehibbitts.net/terry/4-6-2008/unk1.jpg www.thehibbitts.net/terry/4-6-2008/unk2.jpg Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bentsen odes 3-6-08 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 17:01:29 -0500 Howdy folks, Dave Fortier and Tom Pendleton joined me for a dragonfly walk this afternoon. We tallied a number of species including several south Texas specialties, in spite of my being regularly distracted by numbers of hawks, vultures, and pelicans migrating overhead. Most exciting was a Coral-fronted Threadtail, which if documented would extend the species' known flight season by over a month. Martin Reid saw this species today as well, on the Rio Grande over at the NABA International Butterfly Park. Totalled 12 damsels and 13 dragons, nice balance, 25 species overall, including two identified only to genus. The list: Coral-fronted Threadtail (Neoneura aaroni) one male patrolling over the canal Amelia's Threadtail (N. amelia) a few males patrolling, one tandem pair ovipositing on the canal Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) one male on the canal Kiowa Dancer (A. immunda) two males on the pond; I had the water running, which often attracts them Blue-ringed Dancer (A. sedula) several males, pond and canal Dusky Dancer (A. translata) one male on the canal Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) LOTS of males and a few tandem pairs in all locations Familiar Bluet (E. civile) a few males, pond and canal Orange Bluet (E. signatum) several males on the canal Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) several males on the pond, have never seen so many! Rambur's Forktail (I. ramburii) one male on the canal, several males and one orange female on ther resaca Caribbean Yellowface (Neoerythromma cultellatum) a few males on the resaca Small clubtail (Gomphus sp.) male on the canal; seen briefly in flight, probably G. militaris Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) one on the canal, another on the resaca Black Setwing (Dythemis nigrescens) one male on the pond Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis plebeja) one male on the pond Eastern Pondhawk (E. simplicicollis) one female/immature on the pond Great Pondhawk (E. vesiculosa) many locations, land and water Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) several males and a female on the pond Unidentified dasher (Micrathyria sp.) on the resaca Carmine Skimmer (Orthemis discolor) a male at Eagle Pond Roseate Skimmer (O. ferruginea) several, mostly around the pond Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) 2+ males on the resaca Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) 1 male flying over the road, several near the hawk tower Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) scattered around the park as usual, plus a tandem pair over the pond Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: FW: Volunteers needed for TNC study of odonate surveying From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 09:17:47 -0500 Howdy folks - for those who did not receive this via the national list, Odonata-L, see below - JSR Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 -----Original Message----- -----Forwarded Message----- From: Jason Bried Sent: Mar 15, 2008 12:14 PM To: odonata-l AT listhost.ups.edu Subject: [Odonata-l] Volunteer Announcement Volunteers in North America are invited to join a study of sampling intensity for adult odonates. The information will help conservationists and researchers develop cost-effective survey designs. Participants select any pond, wetland, or lake near their home and conduct about 20 surveys, about a week apart, for 60 minutes each. Good adult dragonfly and/or damselfly identification skills are required. For more information please contact Jason Bried, The Nature Conservancy, jbried AT tnc.org, 518-456-0655 x1221. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Photo: Citrine Forktail From: Tim Jones <deforest AT austin.rr.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 22:36:13 -0500 Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) M http://groundtruthinvestigations.com/datalinks/_tex2045_ICpksSm2.jpg 04/01/08 Waterstone Nature Preserve Hays County, Texas -- Subject: Bentsen odes and OC uploads including first US Brechmorhoga praecox From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:38:53 -0500 Howdy folks, Persistent strong winds and clouds have made odonate observation difficult in recent weeks at Bentsen-RGV State Park. Rick Nirschl has been the only person to show up the past two Sundays. Last week, he wanted to photograph larvae, so I dip-netted several dragon and damsel larvae out of the resaca at the boat ramp (as well as a "lifer" insect family for me, my first-ever Creeping Water Bug, family Naucoridae!). This week was Rick's last in the LRGV until the fall. With the weather still not great for finding odes, I spent the time instead uploading a bunch of his recent photo records to Odonata Central (a.k.a. the OC). The most recent was a Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata), photographed here at Bentsen on March 28 (day before yesterday), earliest observation on record for the state. Before that was a Red-faced Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax fusca) from March 18, the second county and LRGV record after the one we had here in February. Also an Orthemis of which I am not 100% certain of the ID, but may be O. discolor, if so a new early record at March 2. I also uploaded Rick's photos of the critter from February 28. Dennis Paulson has confirmed the ID as Brechmorhoga praecox, and mentioned that the DSA checklist committee has selected the name Slender Clubskimmer for this species. Rick Nirschl and I are co-authoring an article about this first US record for a future issue of Argia. Anyone wanting to see the photos, it appears that you can do so from the OC home page by clicking on "Records" and then using the "Taxa Filter" drop-down menu. For those who are not regular OC users, you just have to type part of the name (for example "brechm") and then wait for the OC to give you a list of species including what you have typed. Can be a tad slow but extremely handy once you get used to it! It might be a little faster to select my name from the "User Filter". Meanwhile, in my backyard, I encountered a spreadwing a few days ago. It had bicolored stigmata. Is this a diagnostic field mark for Chalky (Lestes sigma), or can other species have this as well? Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: RE: Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity From: "Intl Odonata Research Inst" <iodonata AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:34:19 -0400 When I lived and collected in southeast Louisiana during the 60's and 70's. The same was true of L. australis there 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: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Nick and Ailsa Donnelly Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 8:59 PM To: 'Dennis Paulson'; 'dragonflywatcher1029' Cc: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [SPAM]Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity When I was living in Houston, I found Lestes australis in the early spring as evidently aged individuals. I thought there was no alternative to their having spent the winter alive as adults. Nick Donnelly _____ From: TexOdes AT yahoogroups .com [mailto:TexOdes AT yahoogroups .com] On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:46 PM To: dragonflywatcher1029 Cc: TexOdes AT yahoogroups .com Subject: [SPAM]Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity That's interesting about the Lestes, Jerry. I found immatures fairly common at Santa Ana NWR in late January 1991, and I wondered if they overwintered as adults in Texas. Your finding them at Lubbock so early in the spring seems further evidence that that might be the case. Many Lestes spend the dry season as adults in tropical and subtropical latitudes, and the only odonates known to hibernate are members of the genus Sympecma in Eurasia, also in the spreadwing family. They emerge in fall and seek shelter as it gets colder, probably matching the twigs where they perch very well. When it warms up the next spring, they mature and breed. If Sympecma can hibernate, why not Lestes? It remains for someone to locate a dormant individual in some sheltered area in midwinter. I can see a major new project to engage the naturalists of Texas: the Sleeping Spreadwing Search. Dennis On Mar 28, 2008, at 10:35 AM, dragonflywatcher1029 wrote: > This past Tues/Wed. 25, 26 March, I photographed Lestes alacer at > Clapp Park playa (nearly dry from lack of rain. Several males were > seen flying low near the tree line along the edge of the southern bank > of the north playa with a few in copula wheel with females. I also > caught one by hand--to my surprise! Then on Wed at LEAT (Llano > Estacado Audubon Trail of Buffalo Springs Lake), I observed and > photographed several Ischnura posita (male and female)hovering low > along the edge of the creek-bed. Interestingly no S. corruptum > anywhere! Did manage to see a lone male A. junius flying a circuitous > route along a stretch of the creek. > > Jerry K. Hatfield > > . > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity From: "Nick and Ailsa Donnelly" <tdonelly AT binghamton.edu> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:59:00 -0400 When I was living in Houston, I found Lestes australis in the early spring as evidently aged individuals. I thought there was no alternative to their having spent the winter alive as adults. Nick Donnelly _____ From: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:46 PM To: dragonflywatcher1029 Cc: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM]Re: [TexOdes] Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity That's interesting about the Lestes, Jerry. I found immatures fairly common at Santa Ana NWR in late January 1991, and I wondered if they overwintered as adults in Texas. Your finding them at Lubbock so early in the spring seems further evidence that that might be the case. Many Lestes spend the dry season as adults in tropical and subtropical latitudes, and the only odonates known to hibernate are members of the genus Sympecma in Eurasia, also in the spreadwing family. They emerge in fall and seek shelter as it gets colder, probably matching the twigs where they perch very well. When it warms up the next spring, they mature and breed. If Sympecma can hibernate, why not Lestes? It remains for someone to locate a dormant individual in some sheltered area in midwinter. I can see a major new project to engage the naturalists of Texas: the Sleeping Spreadwing Search. Dennis On Mar 28, 2008, at 10:35 AM, dragonflywatcher1029 wrote: > This past Tues/Wed. 25, 26 March, I photographed Lestes alacer at > Clapp Park playa (nearly dry from lack of rain. Several males were > seen flying low near the tree line along the edge of the southern bank > of the north playa with a few in copula wheel with females. I also > caught one by hand--to my surprise! Then on Wed at LEAT (Llano > Estacado Audubon Trail of Buffalo Springs Lake), I observed and > photographed several Ischnura posita (male and female)hovering low > along the edge of the creek-bed. Interestingly no S. corruptum > anywhere! Did manage to see a lone male A. junius flying a circuitous > route along a stretch of the creek. > > Jerry K. Hatfield > > . > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: East Texas Odes From: "Greg Lasley" <greg AT greglasley.net> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:03:34 -0000 Following up on the posts by Martin Reid and John Abbott today about some finds in east Texas this past week, I have posted the two images I was able to take of the Harlequin Darner (Gomphaeschna furcillata)which John and I found yesterday, March 27, 2008, along the Angelina River in Jasper Co. The two shots may be seen at: http://www.greglasley.net/harlequindarner.html These were the only shots I was able to get since it remained on each perch only very briefly. I will post some other images from this trip soon. Greg Lasley Austin Subject: RE: East Texas Odes From: "John C. Abbott" <jcabbott AT mail.utexas.edu> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:18:20 -0500 As Martin Reid already mentioned, Greg Lasley and I spent this last week in east Texas looking at odes. We had a very productive trip, racking up 30 species in 4 days this early in the year. We centered our activities around Ratcliff Lake in Houston County, various sites in Jasper County and at Big Creek Scenic area and vicinity in San Jacinto County. We found two species that had only previously been recorded in the state once. The first was Epitheca spinosa (Robust Spiketail) which we found common and flying along with the other 3 species of Epitheca expected in this area at Ratcliff Lake within the Davey Crockett National Forest (Houston County). This is where they were first discovered by Omar Boconegra 3 years ago. I am working on an id sheet to help separate the species in this difficult group. I'll post it on OdonataCentral soon and alert the list when I have done so. We checked a spot on the Angelina River at FM 2799 in Jasper County and found two nice dragonflies there. The first was a large population of Gomphus hybridus (Cocoa Clubtail). This is an early spring species that is relatively uncommon in Texas. The second was Gomphaeschna furcillata (Harlequin Darner). I saw one of these flying on our first visit here, then two days later we saw at least 2 females and 2 males flying. To my knowledge this species hasn't been reported in Texas since its initial discovery by Curtis Williams in 1977. He saw several individuals, but collected 2 males at Big Creek Scenic Area. This species is probably more common and widespread in Texas than this data suggests, but it is easily over-looked because of its early emergence and propensity to not perch. In addition to these two nice finds, we saw a number of Banner Clubtail's, another early, uncommon species in Texas. We also managed to photograph pretty much everything we saw, which was a nice plus. The full list of species seen is below. Calotperygidae Calopteryx dimidiata (Sparkeling Jewelwing) Calopteryx maculata (Ebony Jewelwing) Coenagrionidae Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) Argia tibialis (Blue-tipped Dancer) Argia translata (Dusky Dancer) Enallagma divagans (Turquoise Bluet) Enallagma signatum (Orange Bluet) Ischnura hastata (Citrine Forktail) Ischnura posita (Fragile Forktail) Aeshnidae Anax junius (Common Green Darner) Basiaeschna janata (Springtime Darner) Epiaeschna heros (Swamp Darner) Gomphaeschna furcillata (Harlequin Darner) Gomphidae Gomphus apomyius (Banner Clubtail) Gomphus hybridus (Cocoa Clubtail) Gomphus lividus (Ashy Clubtail) Gomphus oklahomensis (Oklahoma Clubtail) Cordulegastridae Cordulegaster maculata (Twin-spotted Spiketail) Corduliidae Epitheca costalis (Stripe-winged Baskettail) Epitheca cynosura (Common Baskettail) Epitheca semiaquea (Mantled Baskettail) Epitheca spinosa (Robust Baskettail) Helocordulia selysii (Selys' Sunddragon) Macromiidae Didymops transversa (Stream Cruiser) Libellulidae Erythemis simplicicollis (Eastern Pondhawk) Ladona deplanata (Blue Corporal) Libellula semifasciata (Painted Skimmer) Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:46:07 -0700 That's interesting about the Lestes, Jerry. I found immatures fairly common at Santa Ana NWR in late January 1991, and I wondered if they overwintered as adults in Texas. Your finding them at Lubbock so early in the spring seems further evidence that that might be the case. Many Lestes spend the dry season as adults in tropical and subtropical latitudes, and the only odonates known to hibernate are members of the genus Sympecma in Eurasia, also in the spreadwing family. They emerge in fall and seek shelter as it gets colder, probably matching the twigs where they perch very well. When it warms up the next spring, they mature and breed. If Sympecma can hibernate, why not Lestes? It remains for someone to locate a dormant individual in some sheltered area in midwinter. I can see a major new project to engage the naturalists of Texas: the Sleeping Spreadwing Search. Dennis On Mar 28, 2008, at 10:35 AM, dragonflywatcher1029 wrote: > This past Tues/Wed. 25, 26 March, I photographed Lestes alacer at > Clapp Park playa (nearly dry from lack of rain. Several males were > seen flying low near the tree line along the edge of the southern bank > of the north playa with a few in copula wheel with females. I also > caught one by hand--to my surprise! Then on Wed at LEAT (Llano > Estacado Audubon Trail of Buffalo Springs Lake), I observed and > photographed several Ischnura posita (male and female)hovering low > along the edge of the creek-bed. Interestingly no S. corruptum > anywhere! Did manage to see a lone male A. junius flying a circuitous > route along a stretch of the creek. > > Jerry K. Hatfield > > . > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FW: Please Help Protect the Ouachita National Forest From: "John Fisher" <rgs455 AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:39:32 -0600 Our Nat'l Forests, BLM lands, and Nat'l Wildlife Refuges are great places to find butteflies , moths, and dragonflies and need to be protected. I think it would be a shame to let th ese habitat s be destroyed without a fight so please take a couple of minutes to respond to this matter. If approved as it stands, this could very well end up up being the model for more and more encroachment and the resulting habitat destruction. Please don't think I'm against responsible ORV usage because I'm not. I just think there is a fine line between responsible usage and wanton destruction, especially in sensitive habitats. Since the ORV crowd either can't or won't police their own ranks to prevent out-of-bounds riding we need to step up to the plate and do our part. Thanks. John A proposed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) management plan for Ouachita NF is being steered off course by OHV users. I'm asking for a moment of your time to please sign a form letter or better yet write your own letter to the supervisor of Ouachita NF and let him know that there are lots of different types of recreationalists out there who enjoy the forest. Share your personal experiences. The management plan needs to keep all users and the health of the environment in mind. More information and the form letter are here http://audubonaction.org/campaign/ar_ohv . Also read below for more info. PLEASE PASS THIS ON. Thanks. Unmanaged recreation, particularly Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use, has been identified as one of four threats to the health of America's National Forests. Each year, millions of OHVs travel America's National Forests legally and sensibly on open roads and trails. In the past thirteen years, the National Forests have experienced a significant increase in OHV use. A small, but growing number of uninformed or irresponsible OHV riders are threatening the health of all national forests by driving off-trail, damaging fragile plants, wetlands, streams, and forest soils, and creating user defined trails in sensitive ecosystems and wilderness areas. To address this threat, Ouachita National Forest is developing a Travel Management Project that designates where and when OHVs may be used. However, what started out as a sensible, biologically oriented plan has been steered off course by the flood of public comments coming from OHV users. The proposal opens 3,200 miles of roads and trails to vehicles on a permanent or seasonal basis, allows OHVs to drive one-half mile off trail for game retrieval in season, and allows OHV access to dispersed campsites. Under the plan over 50% of the forest will be accessible to OHVs. Once roads and trails are open, they are hard to close, even in the face of ecological damage. While OHV users have a right to use the forest, increased access leads to increased use which leads to increased ecological damage. Even under the current level of use, ecological damage has been documented. OHV drivers are not the only users of the forest. Proper forest management should take into account multiple uses and should ensure that natural resources are preserved for future generations. Hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, photographers, floaters, naturalists, walk-in hunters and more should make their voices heard! Tell the Forest Service to protect natural resources for all users. They need to hear from us too! Please contact Forest Supervisor Norman Wagoner using the form letter provided here http://audubonaction.org/campaign/ar_ohv , by sending a personal e-mail to comments-southern-ouachita AT fs.fed.us , or by mailing a letter to the attention of Norman Wagoner, USDA Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest, P.O. Box 1270 Hot Springs, AR 71902. Feel free to share with him the ways you enjoy the forest and how you think your favorite spots should be managed in regards to OHV use. Thank you for your time and help. Dan Scheiman, Ph.D. Bird Conservation Director, Audubon Arkansas 201 East Markham St., Suite 450 Little Rock, AR 72201 dscheiman AT audubon.org 501-244-2229 501-244-2231 (fax) http://ar.audubon.org DONATE ONLINE to protect the Little River Bottoms https://loon.audubon.org/payment/donate/ARLRBDF.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Flying in East Texas recently: G. apomyius, E. spinosa, etc. From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:30:10 -0500 Dear all, While on a work assignment to Houston this week, I was able to take a day for oding and went up to San Jacinto, Jasper and Houston counties. John Abbott and Greg Lasley were also oding that area for a few days, and I was lucky enough to benefit from their discoveries: At Ratcliff Lake, east of Crockett, they refound the population of Epitheca spinosa Robust Baskettail first found by Omar Bocanegra a few years ago. I was able to get some identifiable flight photos of spinosa and also spotted a possible identification feature that is not mentioned in my guide books - I'd really appreciate some feedback on this: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate161.html On various parts of Indian Creek northwest of Jasper I managed to find a few Gomphus apomyius Banner Clubtail where John Abbott has seen them previously: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate160.html Close by Indian Creek on the banks of the Angelina River I found two Gomphus hybridus Coca Clubtail. I also saw other interesting species at these and other sites, such as L. semifasciata, H. selysii, E. cynosura, E. costalis, E, semiaquea, C. ingens, E. heros, N. pentacantha, G. lividus, G. oklahomensis, D. transversa, C. maculata and dimidiata, an early A. tibialis, and E. divagans. I know that John and Greg saw some other interesting odes, including one taxon documented only once previously in Texas many years ago - but I won't steal their thunder! Regards, Martin -- >Martin Reid >San Antonio, Texas >mailto:upupa AT airmail.net >http://www.martinreid.com Subject: Some more Spring odes cited in Lubbock and vicinity From: "dragonflywatcher1029" <dragonflywatcher1029 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:35:59 -0000 This past Tues/Wed. 25, 26 March, I photographed Lestes alacer at Clapp Park playa (nearly dry from lack of rain. Several males were seen flying low near the tree line along the edge of the southern bank of the north playa with a few in copula wheel with females. I also caught one by hand--to my surprise! Then on Wed at LEAT (Llano Estacado Audubon Trail of Buffalo Springs Lake), I observed and photographed several Ischnura posita (male and female)hovering low along the edge of the creek-bed. Interestingly no S. corruptum anywhere! Did manage to see a lone male A. junius flying a circuitous route along a stretch of the creek. Jerry K. Hatfield Subject: McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Odes this week From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:15:58 -0500 The following Odes were seen this week at Red Slough WMA: Fragile Forktail Citrine Forktail Southern Spreadwing Common Green Darner Mantled Baskettail Slender Baskettail (probable) Blue Corporal Common Whitetail Variegated Meadowhawk Red/Carolina Saddlebags Also, a few miles north of Red Slough, near Haworth, Berlin Heck found a pair of Selys' Sundragons, a first for Oklahoma. You can see his photos on the OC website. David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/redslough/index.shtml Personal Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Texas Seasonality now online From: "John C. Abbott" <jcabbott AT mail.utexas.edu> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:29:40 -0500 I have posted the known seasonalities of Texas odonates online at OdonataCentral. It is under the 'Odonata Survey of Texas' tab, but here is a direct link http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/PageAction.get/name/TX_Seasonality Also, I forgot to mention in my earlier email, but for those who would like a compete set, earlier volumes published by the Odonata Survey of Texas are still available - Volume 1 - http://www.lulu.com/content/201744 Volume 2 - http://www.lulu.com/content/668195 Volume 3 - http://www.lulu.com/content/2049074 Thanks, John [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: odes in S. Dallas Co. From: "Lawrence Duhon" <lawrence AT duhons.net> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:03:23 -0500 During a casual two-hour outing with my family to Cedar Hill State Park in southern Dallas County this afternoon (3/21) I saw the following odonates: Dot-winged Baskettail (1)-most likely ID based on the field marks that I was able to observe in flight Common Green Darner (1) Red Saddlebags (2) It's nice to see some odonate variety starting around here! Lawrence Duhon Fort Worth, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas, Vol. 3 now available From: "John C. Abbott" <jcabbott AT mail.utexas.edu> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:44:31 -0500 The formatting on the last email was lost, so I'm trying again for easier readability.... Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Texas, Volume 3, edited by John C. Abbott Volume 3 of the Odonata Survey of Texas is now out. It contains distributional and seasonal records for all 224 species known from the state up through 2007. In addition it contains the following articles:Odonata of the Lower Rio Grande Valley: 2007 Summary, J.S. Rose; Dragonflies and Damselflies of Wright Patman Lake, M. Dillon; The Odonata of Kerr County and the Guadalupe River System of Texas,T. Gallucci; and The Odonata of Real County and the Frio-Nueces River System of Texas, T. Gallucci. It can be purchased through Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/content/2049074) for the price of $30.00. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas, Vol. 3 now available From: "John C. Abbott" <jcabbott AT mail.utexas.edu> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:42:25 -0500 Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Texas, Volume 3, edited by John C. AbbottVolume 3 of the Odonata Survey of Texas is now out. It contains distributional and seasonal records for all 224 species known from the state up through 2007. In addition it contains the following articles:Odonata of the Lower Rio Grande Valley: 2007 Summary, J.S. Rose; Dragonflies and Damselflies of Wright Patman Lake, M. Dillon; The Odonata of Kerr County and the Guadalupe River System of Texas,T. Gallucci; and The Odonata of Real County and the Frio-Nueces River System of Texas, T. Gallucci.It can be purchased through Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/content/2049074) for the price of $30.00. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bentsen dragonfly walk 3-16-08 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:05:50 -0500 Howdy folks, Had five customers for today's dragonfly walk (none of whom was named Tom Pendleton, shockingly enough). Wind was an issue but not nearly as much as yesterday. Find of the day was probably Caribbean Yellowface; most exciting was seeing a pair form the wheel. I'm not sure I have ever seen the female Yellowface before! Though I have seen dozens of males... Right at the end, out near the hawk tower, on dragon stymied us. John Yochum and I got photos, will try to circulate them and get opinions from experts. Right now my theory is some sort of aberrant Band-winged Dragonlet; it had the size and shape of that species, and body color of a male, but entirely clear wings! Not a combination I have run across before. Seven damselflies, eleven dragons, for 18 species total. The list: Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) - a few males on the canal Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) - several males on the canal, and on the resaca, one on the pond Familiar Bluet (E. civile) - many males on the pond, a few at the resaca and canal Orange Bluet (E. signatum) - one male at the resaca Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) - one male, one nice orange female at the resaca Caribbean Yellowface (Neoerythromma cultellatum) - a pair in the wheel at the resaca Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) - two males on the pond Green Darner (Anax juius) - one flying near the trail to the hawk tower Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis plebeja) - one near the tower in the morning, missed during the walk Eastern Pondhawk (E. simplicicollis) - a blue male at the resaca Great Pondhawk (E. vesiculosa) - a few on the pond, several near the tower Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) - a few on the pond, several near the tower Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) - a male and female on the pond, males at the resaca and near the tower Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) - a female near the pond Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) - a male (?) over the pond Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) - a male on the resaca Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) - one over the road at the hawk tower tram stop Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) - as usual, one of the most common odes, all over the place Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: Turquoise-tipped Darner-Rhionaeschna psilus From: "david_t_dauphin" <dauphins AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:55:07 -0000 There were at least two Turquoise-tipped Darners-Rhionaeschna psilus that were at Mission on Old Military Highway where the north end of NABA-IBP's tree line meets the OMH. Photos can be viewed at http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559467304xqceGP David Dauphin www.TheDauphins.net Subject: Field trip report - Travis Co., 15 March 2008 From: "Greg Lasley" <greg AT greglasley.net> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:57:22 -0000 Hello All, Things are starting to get more active here in central Texas. Today, 15 March 2008, Eric Isley and I spent the morning at Southeast Metropolitan Park on Texas Hwy 71, just s.e. of Austin near the airport. Below is a list of what we had. Lestes alacer (Plateau Spreadwing) - 4 Lestes sigma (Chalky Spreadwing) - 2 (photos - new Travis Co. record) Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) - a few Anax junius (Common Green Darner) - 1 Gomphus (Gomphurus) externus (Plains Clubtail) - 1 Didymops transversa (Stream Cruiser) - 5 Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) petechialis (Dot-winged Baskettail) - 20 Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) semiaquea (Mantled Baskettail) - 5 Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) - 2 Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) - 1 Tramea onusta (Red-mantled Saddlebags) - 2 Greg Lasley Austin Subject: Bentsen Prince Baskettail 3-14-08 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:40:38 -0500 Howdy folks, While leading a school group this morning, I spotted a Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) patrolling the resaca near the boat ramp at Bentsen-RGV State Park. Checking my copy of Abbott now, this is two weeks earlier than the early date cited therein (March 31). May have to try for photos tomorrow, if the bug is still around... Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: male or female? From: "Lawrence Duhon" <lawrence AT duhons.net> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:36:01 -0500 Is the Fragile Forktail in this picture a young male or a female? http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/3011005_Eur2b#265489169_SV6a3-A-LB This was my first damselfly of the year, although I have not looked for any until today. Thanks! Lawrence Duhon Fort Worth, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bentsen odes 3-9-08 From: "Joshua Rose" <joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us> Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 17:29:29 -0500 Howdy folks, In spite of very strong winds today, Tom Pendleton and Rick Nirschl showed up for the dragonfly walk this afternoon, so I gave it a try. We visited some areas just north of the irrigation canal and levee, a small wooded wetland plus the back end of the resaca, where there was a bit more shelter from the wind, and actually had a fairly decent couple of hours by early March standards. Wound up with 20 species, 8 damsels and 12 dragons, in spite of the frequent strong gusts. The list: Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) - males on the canal and resaca Blue-ringed Dancer (A. sedula) - several including a tandem pair ovipositing on the canal Dusky Dancer (A. translata) - a male on the canal Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) - a few males on the resaca Familiar Bluet (E. civile) - one or two males on the resaca Orange Bluet (E. signatum) - a male on the resaca Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) - a female in grass near the wetland Rambur's Forktail (I. ramburii) - a few males on the resaca Green Darner (Anax junius) - a few patrolling various areas Black Setwing (Dythemis nigrescens) - one female, one immature male in the woods near the resaca Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis plebeja) - a male at a large sunny drying-up pool near the wetland Great Pondhawk (E. vesiculosa) - several on and near dirt roads near the wetland Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) - several along the same roads and near the pool Thornbush Dasher (Micrathyria hageni) - two males at the wetland Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) - several males at the wetland Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) - a few along the road, feeding on the leeward side of trees Spot-winged Glider (P. hymenea) - one with the Wanderings Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) - one male on the resaca Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) - several along the road near the gliders, some perched Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) - many also along the road Cheers, Josh Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D. Natural Resource Specialist World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/mission/index.phtml joshua.rose AT tpwd.state.tx.us 956-584-9156 x 236 Subject: You have received a NEW friend request! From: "matchbmifriends" <matchbmifriends AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:42:29 -0000 You have received a NEW friend request! Check this request here: http://coubrtney.zoomshare.com/files/friend.htm Subject: Oklahoma Odes today From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 21:56:42 -0600 On my bird survey today at Red Slough W.M.A., McCurtain Co., Oklahoma, I was surprised to see several FOS odes: Common Green Darner - 3 Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 Fragile Forktail - 1 Except for the Variegated Meadowhawk which can be seen here occasionally throughout the winter during mild spells, this is the earliest I have seen the other two species. Especially since we had two inches of snow on the ground here yesterday and there were still a few patches around this morning. The strong southwest winds today are probably responsible for the Common Green Darners being here since they are migrants. Red Slough is a ~6,000 acre wetland area owned by the Ouachita National Forest and lies on the Red River in extreme southeast Oklahoma. Check out our Odonate list at the RS website: Visit the Red Slough Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/redslough/index.shtml David Arbour De Queen, AR Personal Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]