Dragonflies of Pennsylvania
At this time on warm or hot, sunny days it is a good bet you will find me spending at least an hour or two conducting dragonfly and damselfly surveys. More species are emerging as the summer begins and it is the prime time to find both great diversity and tremendous numbers of odonates at ponds, streams, rivers, swamps, bogs – nearly anywhere with an abundance of water. Last weekend I visited Akeley Swamp just over the Pennsylvania border to see what it held in its Conewango Creek-fed wetlands. I was overwhelmed with 30 species including several that were a first for the year for me....
Read MoreSlaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)
I finally saw my first of season Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) in Chautauqua County last week. Simple beauty.
Read MoreEbony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)
Up close and personal with the Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), a species you may even notice flying about your yard this time of year.
Read MoreCalico Pennant (Celithemis elisa)
More dragonflies and damselflies are emerging as the season goes on. Between our cool weather and me not visiting too many ponds this was my first Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) of the season.
Read MoreChalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia)
Meet the Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia), a skimmer that will use you to attract insects like the mosquito to devour – aren’t dragonflies helpful?
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