Ode News
An Occasional Newsletter about Dragonflies and Damselflies in Southern New England

Volume X, Number 2 - ISSN 1084-9750 - November 2003

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Greetings, and welcome to the 21^st issue of Ode News! As this is being written, a major winter storm has just buried much of southern New England under a foot or two of snow, putting a bold exclamation point on the end of the dragonfly season. (It also has emphasized the tardiness of this issue, which should have been in your hands more than a month ago!)

 

A miserable spring and early summer, with near monsoon conditions in June, all but eliminated the first half of the field season, and left dragonfliers with damp spirits as well as nets — and wondering how any insect could survive such conditions. However, more reasonable weather returned in July, and once things had dried out a bit there were some good bugs waiting to be found. The number of people taking to the field to pursue and enjoy these wonderful insects continues to grow (buoyed by the recent appearance of color field guides), and interesting — and in some cases, surprising — new finds continue apace. Dave Small and his merry band in northern Worcester County again achieved a level of activity that the rest of us could only marvel at.

 

Plans are underway for a New England Odonate Conference to be held early next spring (late March — early April) in Athol, Massachusetts. The specifics have yet to be worked out, but see page 12 for a preliminary announcement and watch the Northeastern Odonates listserv for more details once they are confirmed.

 

As is usual, most of this fall issue is devoted to summarizing the past field season. In addition to the highlights from Massachusetts, we also have a summary from Rhode Island provided by Ginger Brown. (We have not yet received anything from Connecticut, but hope to have a summary from the Nutmeg State in the next issue.) Also in this issue is a summary of the distribution of Ocellated Darner in Massachusetts by Lynn Harper.

 

The much-anticipated Massachusetts field guide was published in time to be put to some field use as the season drew to a close; we trust it will receive a much more rigorous work-out next year! See page 11 for ordering info.

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CONTENTS:

 

2003 Massachusetts summary
2003 Rhode Island Summary
Ocellated darner distribution
Massachusetts Field guide Available

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Massachusetts Highlights – 2003

Blair Nikula

 

The weather this season presented a sharp contrast between a cold and wet first half, and a warm and fairly dry second half. Both April and May averaged nearly 3½º (F) below normal and, although total precipitation was about average, an inordinate number of days seemed damp and dreary. June continued very cool, roughly 2½º (F) below average, and was very wet, with rainfall about 2” above average, much of it falling on the weekends and making the month pretty much a washout for most observers. July returned to near normal in both temperature and precipitation, while August was warmer than normal by about 2º (F), with near normal precipitation. Abundant rainfall the previous fall and winter meant that water levels ranged from high to very high throughout much of the season.

 

It is always prudent to avoid generalizations — tempting though they may be — about odonate populations. We are, after all, dealing with over 150 species (excluding vagrants) here in Massachusetts, and it’s very likely that no two species respond to varying environmental conditions in exactly the same way. However, we’ll throw prudence to the wind and, with the appropriate caveats in mind, state that, in general, it seemed to be a rather poor year for the majority of odonate species. Roughly 70% of the odonate species in Massachusetts emerge primarily during May and (especially) June and it is easy to imagine that the persistent cold and wet weather during that period would have had a significant deleterious impact. The survival rate of teneral odonates is low even under the best of conditions, and long bouts of poor weather must reduce those rates to near zero. Not only would their ability to thermoregulate be stressed, their food supply (small flying insects) would presumably be severely depressed as well.

 

One example this year was provided by Michael Veit’s observation of dozens of freshly emerged Maine Snaketails (Ophiogomphus mainensis) on the Nissitissit River in Pepperell on 22 May. Weather conditions at the time consisted of overcast skies and temperatures only in the mid 50’s (ºF). Michael noted very little movement from these individuals and presumably they were an easier than usual target for predators. The weather remained very cool and wet for the next five days, and it seems likely that mortality among this cohort was heavy — perhaps even total. Similar scenarios seem likely to have played out with considerable frequency during the first half of the 2003 flight season.

 

The weather returned to more or less normal in July, and later emerging species such as most of the mosaic darners (Aeshna) and meadowhawks (Sympetrum) likely met with greater success. Indeed, numbers of most such species seemed fairly typical.

 

New county records continue to accrue, though at a much slower pace this year. This is inevitable, of course, as most of the glaring holes in the county lists have been filled now. At least eight new county records plus one upgrade to an historical record were reported in 2003, a sharp contrast to last year’s 26 new records plus five upgrades.

 

Although these seasonal summaries focus on those species that were reported, it may be just as significant to note those species that went unreported. State-listed species which are absent from the accounts below included: Subarctic Darner (Aeshna subarctica)[T]; Harpoon Clubtail (Gomphus descriptus)[E]; Midland Clubtail (Gomphus fraternus)[E]; Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor) [T]; Lake Emerald (Somatochlora cingulata)[SC]; Forcipate Emerald (Somatochlora forcipata) [SC]; Coppery Emerald (Somatochlora georgiana)[E]; Incurvate Emerald (Somatochlora incurvata)[T]; and Kennedy's Emerald (Somatochlora kennedyi)[E].

 

Observers: Stan Bolton, Bob Bowker, Glen Corbiere, David Fitch, Karro Frost, Fred Goodwin, Lynn Harper, Rick Heil, Dick Hildreth, Jennifer Loose, Jim MacDougall, Dave McLain, Mark Mello, Joan Milam, Fred Morrison, Mike Nelson, Blair Nikula, Robert Packard, Dennis Peacock, Fred SaintOurs, Laurie Sanders, Pat Sorrentino, Daniel Schell (DSc), Dave Small, Jim Sweeney, Peter Trimble, Michael Veit, Richard Walton. Letters in brackets following the species name indicate Massachusetts state-listing designations: [E] = Endangered; [T] = Threatened; [SC] = Special Concern.

 

Superb Jewelwing (Calopteryx amata): The only reports of this local inhabitant of cold, rocky streams were of five on Moss Brook in Warwick on 1 July (DS et al.), a single on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Huntington on 13 July (LH, EB), and five on the Green River in Colrain/Leyden on 20 July (RP et al.).

 

Sparkling Jewelwing (Calopteryx dimidiata): This local, southern damsel was reported only from the Squannacook River this year: three in West Groton on 26 July (MV), three in the same area on 3 August (BN et al.), and two in Townsend on 26 July (MV).

 

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana): This crowd-pleaser was again present in numbers (up to 100/day) along the Millers River in Orange and Athol in late August and early September (DS et al.). Elsewhere, five were present again on the Wading River in Mansfield on 29 August (KF), a female was along the Connecticut River in Holyoke on 16 August (LH et al.) and singles were at two sites on the Quaboag River, one between Palmer and Monson and the other in Warren, both on 24 August (LH).

 

Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus): This lovely little spreadwing was found again at two sites in Bourne where as many as 20 individuals were present during the period 27 June – 1 August (PT). Two males in Pepperell on 25 July (MV), were the first records at a site that has been visited regularly over the past five years, and the species was numerous at one site on Nantucket on 14 July (JL), the first recent record from an area where it apparently was quite common historically.

 

Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis): Apart from its stronghold on the Connecticut River, this handsome dancer was found on the Falls River between Greenfield and Gill on 19 July (LH) and on the Quaboag River between Palmer and Monson on 24 August (LH).

 

Attenuated Bluet (Enallagma daeckii)[SC]: Twenty-two individuals of this distinctive bluet were counted at a previously known site in Cohasset (FSO). This distinctive southern bluet is still known from just a handful of sites in southeastern Massachusetts.

 

New England Bluet (Enallagma laterale)[SC]: Modest numbers were present at Tully Pond in Orange in mid June (DS), and a single male was at Riceville Pond in Athol on 15 June (LH et al.). The species was numerous at a pond in Pepperell on 10 June (MV), and on Cape Cod small numbers were at a couple of ponds in Chatham on 26 June (BN) and at one in Falmouth on the same date (FSO).

 

Scarlet Bluet (Enallagma pictum)[T]: At least 10, including a pair ovipositing in bladderwort (Utricularia sp.), were at a small pond in Osterville on 20 July (BN), and a single was at Ruth Pond in Brewster on 27 July (BN).

 

Pine Barrens Bluet (Enallagma recurvatum)[T]: The only report this season was of two males at Crooked Pond in Falmouth on 26 June (FSO). The paucity of reports presumably reflects a lack of effort at the appropriate places and time, and the miserable weather during the species’ early flight season.

 

Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata): This tiny, infrequently encountered damsel was fairly numerous at several small, vegetated wetlands on the Massachusetts Military Reservation in Bourne during the period 27 June – 22 August (PT). Otherwise, the only reports were of a single male seen at Little Sippewissit Marsh in Falmouth in early September (R. Dubois), and half a dozen or so at a small, densely vegetated pond in the Cornelius State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard on 20 September (BN et al.).

 

Spatterdock Darner (Aeshna mutata)[E]: Two or three individuals were present at each of three sites in Bourne on 26 June (PT), multiples were present in a backyard in Pepperell 20–21 June (MV), one adult was in Groton on 20 June (MV), and larvae were found in Brookfield on 12 June (MV).

 

Comet Darner (Anax longipes)[SC]: One male was seen on 2 July in the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth (FSO), and at least two males were present in the same area during an Ode News walk on 19 July (BN et al.). On Cape Cod, single males were at expected sites in Bourne on 26 June (PT), Hyannis on 27 July (BN), at another site in Bourne on 22 August (PT), and in Chatham on 23 August (BN).

 

Ocellated Darner (Boyeria grafiana)[SC]: The only report of an adult of this inhabitant of cold, rocky streams and rivers came from the Mill River in Williamsburg on 27 August (RP). Exuviae were found on the West Branch of the Mill River in Williamsburg, the West Branch of the Westfield River in Chester, the Cold River in Charlemont, the Chickly River in Hawley, the Westfield River in Huntington, the Little River in Huntington, and the Dead Branch of the Westfield River in Chesterfield; exuviae collection dates ranged from 8 July to 7 August (LH et al.). (See article on page 10.)

 

Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros): The only reports of this southern monster were of singles in Sherborn on 24 June (BB) and in Harwich on 23 August (BN), the latter among a migratory flight of Common Green Darners.

 

Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha): This species seemed more numerous than usual this year, at least in northern Worcester County and western Middlesex County: as many as a dozen were seen along the Millers River in Orange and Athol in late June (DS); a dozen or more at Reservoir No.1 in Athol on 26 June (EB); and two were at the Lake Rohunta Dam in Orange on 28 June (DS et al.). Others were along the Nissitissit River in Pepperell on 17 June (MV) and the Nashua River in both Pepperell and Dunstable on the same day (MV). Two on the Squannacook River in West Groton on 26 July (MV) were quite late.

 

Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus)[E]: This attractive, small clubtail was reported from the Millers River where two individuals were in Orange on 27 June (DS) and two females were netted in Winchendon on 13 July (BN, MV); from the Ware River in Hardwick where one teneral was found on 12 June (MV); from the Nashua River in Pepperell on 17 June (MV); and from a field adjacent to the Nissitissit River in Pepperell where a female was netted on 21 June (MV).

 

Beaverpond Clubtail (Gomphus borealis)[SC]: Adults included one in Warwick on 4 June (MV), singles at a site in Royalston on 15 June and 2 July (DS), one in Athol on 18 June (EB), and two in Shutesbury on 3 July (DS), while exuviae were found in Winchendon on 8 June and in Athol on 15 June (LH et al.).

 

Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus)[SC]: Exceptional numbers of exuviae were found on the Connecticut River this year, but the only adult reported was one seen along a power line cut adjacent to the Connecticut River in Northfield on 28 July (RP).

 

Skillet Clubtail (Gomphus ventricosus)[SC]: Two males netted on the old ski slopes on Mt. Tom (roughly a mile from the Connecticut River) on 21 June (LH, DS et al.), and a female caught on the Connecticut River on 29 June (JM et al.) were the only reports of this scarce insect.

 

Southern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus vernalis): A teneral male reported from Clesson Brook in Buckland on 9 June (RP) represents the westernmost report in the state of this tiny clubtail. Additionally, a female netted on Mt. Tom on 21 June (DS, LH et al.) and an exuviae on the Falls River between Greenfield and Gill on 18 July (LH) provided new sites. The species was also present again in northern Plymouth County where the first adults were seen on 2 June (FSO), and at Gulf Brook in Pepperell where four nymphs were found on 5 June (MV).

 

Brook Snaketail (Ophiogomphus aspersus)[SC]: The only adult was caught on the Millers River in Athol on 15 July (DS), but exuviae were collected from the Squannacook River in Groton on 31 May (MV), the Millers River in Winchendon on 8 June (LH), and a number of larvae were dredged from the Nissitissit River in Pepperell on 22 May (MV).

 

Riffle Snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus)[SC]: One was found in Chesterfield on 10 June (RP), and a female was netted on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Huntington on 13 July (LH, EB).

 

Maine Snaketail (Ophiogomphus mainensis): One of the more interesting sightings this season was the discovery of over 50 individuals of this species emerging along a 50 yard stretch of the Nissitissit River in Pepperell on 22 May, an overcast day with temperatures only in the mid 50s(ºF). On 17 June at least two adults were found in the same area (MV). Although Michael has visited this stretch of river numerous times over the past five years, he had never previously found this species here! This is one of the easternmost sites know in the state. Others this season were at Moss Brook in Warwick on 1 July (DS), on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Huntington on 13 July (LH, EB), and the Green River in Colrain/Leyden where three were seen on 20 July (RP et al.). Five exuviae were found on the Westfield River in Chesterfield on 25 July (LH).

 

Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis): This species, the most distinctive of the four Snaketails in this area, was found in small numbers at several sites along the Millers River from Athol to Wendell during the period 27 June through 2 August (DS et al.), and numbers of recently emerged adults were along the Ware River in Hardwick on 12 June (MV). One adult was also seen on the Westfield River in Westfield on 25 July (LH). Exuviae were found on the Connecticut River in June and on the Nashua River in Pepperell on 17 June (MV).

 

Riverine Clubtail (Stylurus amnicola)[E]: At least six freshly emerged individuals were found along the banks of the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 29 June (FM, BN et al.) and larvae were found in the same area on 19 June (MV).

 

Zebra Clubtail (Stylurus scudderi)[E]: A single adult photographed on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Chester on 12 July (GC) furnished a first Hampden County record. This striking clubtail was also present again on the Millers River, where a teneral female was found in Winchendon on 13 July (MV), an ovipositing female was in Athol on 5 September (EB), and three adults were found at the confluence with the Tully river in Athol on 6 September (DS et al.). Additionally, several exuviae were found on the Millers River in Athol on 19 July (LH, EB), and larvae were found on the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 19 June (MV).

 

Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps)[T]: This lanky clubtail was present again at several sites on (or near) the Millers River in early September (DS et al.), with a maximum of 11+ individuals, including two ovipositing females, in Athol on 5 September (EB et al.). One exuviae was found on the Millers on 23 August, and larvae were numerous on the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 19 June (MV).

 

Delta-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster diastatops): Four in Holyoke on 16 June (DSc) furnished an over-due first for Hampden County.

 

Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua): A dead male found floating on the Connecticut River in Gill on 27 June (FM), provided not only a first for Franklin County, but the first west of north-central Worcester County. This impressive insect was found again in northern Worcester County, where one was seen at Riceville Brook in Athol on 14 June (DS et al.). Further east, a single was seen in Sherborn on 15 June and 10 individuals (including a tandem pair) were noted along a muddy brook in the same area on 24 June (RB), the latter representing the highest total yet reported in the state. Two were in a field adjacent to the Nissitissit River in Pepperell on 21 June (MV). On 28 June at least three adults and three exuviae were found in Topsfield, and a single adult was along a temporary stream in Boxford (AS). Finally, one was seen at close range along a power line cut (a favored haunt of this species, it seems) in Dartmouth on the record (?) late date of 2 August (BC, DP).

 

Umber Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsoleta)[SC]: Eight males were seen near a dam at a new site for this crepuscular species in Cohasset on 26 June, the first modern day record for Norfolk County (FSO). At least 50 exuviae were found at a known site in Hanover (FSO), and exuviae were also numerous along the Nashua River in Pepperell and Dunstable on 17 June (MV).

 

Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis)[SC]: A freshly emerged teneral was found on the Connecticut River on 18 June, and a dead female was picked up further down the river on 29 June (BN et al.); exuviae were also collected from several sites along the river, mostly in June. A single exuviae found on the Millers River in Athol on 14 June (LH) provides a new Worcester County record (though identification of Neurocordulia exuviae is proving to be less straight-forward than once thought, so it would be nice to find an adult.). Another 17 exuviae were collected further downriver on the Millers in Montague/Erving (Franklin County) on the amazingly late date of 23 August; adults are not known to be on the wing after July (though apparently later in Canada), so the presence of exuviae on this date is puzzling to say the least!

 

Ski-tailed Emerald (Somatochlora elongata)[SC]: One early individual was found in Shutesbury on 3 July (DS et al.), and several males were patrolling a swampy backwater of Mauserts Pond in Clarksburg on 30 August (BN et al.)

 

Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)[SC]: Fred SaintOurs had good luck with this species in northern Plymouth County, recording a total of 14 individuals at several sites during the period 21 July – 23 August. Fred also found one individual at the Hockomock Swamp in Easton on the rather late date of 11 September, providing a long-overdue first for Bristol County (FSO). Others included at least two in Topsfield on 15 July (SM, JM), multiples in Concord in late July (J. Christian), and two in Acton on 31 July (RW). This southern species seems like a strong candidate for de-listing.

 

Ebony Boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri)[E]: This inconspicuous little dragon was found at three new sites this year, making a total of eight sites now known in Massachusetts, six of these discovered in just the past four years. The first new site was a small bog in Wendell where a single male was found on 17 May (DS); the Ringed Boghaunter (W. lintneri) was also recorded from this site in 1993 (the westernmost record in the state), making it the only location in Massachusetts where both species of boghaunter have been reported. The second new site was in Templeton, where a dozen or more adults were found over a wide area in the vicinity of a shrubby bog on 29 May (MV), and the third was a small seepage area near the Lincoln Pond Bog in Ashburnham, where five adults were present on 6 June (MV). A teneral male was found at a previously known site in Ashburnham on 11 May (MV)..

 

Ringed Boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri)[E]: A significant population of this species was confirmed in Harvard this spring, where 13 individuals were seen and photographed on 3 May (E. Nielson), at least two adults were present on 7 May (MV), and three adults plus one exuviae were found on 10 May (JL, MV). The site, an extensive, tussocky wetland bordering the Nashua River, seems rather atypical for the species. Elsewhere, a single male was seen at a previously known site in Concord on 19 May (RW).

 

Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata): A male photographed at Finerty Pond in Washington in July (GC) represents a first for Berkshire County.

 

Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea): Two females in Northampton on 2 July (DSc) filled a large hole in the Hampshire County list.

 

Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella): This delightful little dragon was found again at a number of sites across the state, including some that do not fit the classic sphagnum habitat this species was once thought to require. Perhaps most significant was an apparently healthy population (numbering 35+ individuals on 20 July) discovered on the edge of a small pond in Osterville (JL), the first record of the species in Barnstable County in about 15 years. Also seemingly atypical was at least 10 individuals in the grasses on the top of an earthen dam forming Riceville Pond in Athol on 14 July (EB et al.), apparently a considerable distance from any sphagnum habitat.

 

White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum): Although this species was recorded in the state only a couple of times over the previous decade or so, reports over the past two seasons suggest it may have been overlooked (perhaps being just very local and sporadic in occurrence?). Confirmed reports this year were of a male captured in Clarksburg on 30 August (MV et al.), and at least one male captured at the Lake Rohunta dam in Orange on 6 September (DS et al.). One or more male meadowhawks video-taped in Acton (RW) may well have been this species as well. Additionally, belated word was received from Bob Dubois, a visiting odonatist from Wisconsin, reporting that he found many of this species along an old railroad bed in Weston on 27 September in 2002 (though in a return visit to that site in early September of this year he failed to find any).

 

Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum): This species, the smallest and most distinctive of our local meadowhawks, is fairly common but rather local in distribution, apparently most regular where there is a slight movement of water. Most observations of this species involve just a few individuals. Thus noteworthy, is a report of 2,000+, mostly tandem pairs, in a field adjacent to the Snake River in Taunton on 25 July (JS).

 

Migration: This seems to have been the poorest season in at least the past decade for odonate migration. Northbound movements were virtually non-existent, no doubt due at least in part to the miserable weather in June. Concentrations of south-bound migrants were widely reported in eastern Massachusetts (and from the New Hampshire coast) during late August, but were sparse thereafter, despite seemingly favorable weather conditions. The largest concentrations of southbound odonates in southern New England are invariably recorded along the Connecticut shoreline, but this year we heard nothing from that area. Whether this means substantial movements did not occur there or were simply unreported is unclear.

 

The most significant report we received was from 19 August, when Rick Heil estimated 10,000+ Common Green Darners (Anax junius) swarming on Plum Island in Massachusetts, along with 100 Wandering Gliders (Pantala flavescens) and a few each of Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) and mosaic darners (Aeshna sp.). There was no obvious directional movement. (Unfortunately, unlike the past two seasons, Rick did not work at Plum Island this year, so was not “on site” on a regular basis.)

 

In Westport, where Brian Cassie, Dick Hildreth, and others conduct regular censuses of fall migrant butterflies at Gooseberry Neck and Horseneck Beach, a couple of modest dragonfly movements were seen. On 31 August, Erik Nielson estimated 1100 Common Green Darners passing Gooseberry Neck, while Kate LaPine saw “hundreds upon hundreds” at Horseneck Beach that afternoon (fide BC). On 24 September, Dick Hildreth counted 217 Common Green darners along with five Spot-winged Gliders (Pantala hymenaea) and three Wandering Gliders at Gooseberry Neck.

 

On Cape Cod, where fall migrants tend to be rather scarce, unusual numbers of Common Green Darners were seen in late August this year. On 20 August, 400 were estimated over Nauset Marsh in Eastham, all flying northwest (BN et al.); 200 were seen on 23 August in Harwich, all moving west or northwest along the Nantucket Sound shore (BN); and on 25 August, “droves” were moving north over Nauset Beach in Orleans (KF). It is curious that many of these insects, especially on 20 and 25 August, were moving in a north or northwesterly direction (generally into light winds), contrary to what one might expect at that season.

 

Corrigenda: In the previous issue of Ode News (May 2003; Vol. 10, No. 1), the photo on page 7 is of Arrowhead Spiketail larvae, not exuviae is stated in the caption (exuviae would all be essentially the same size). In the November 2002 issue (Vol. 9, No. 2), in the list of new county records on page 3, the Banded Pennant was new for Hampden County, not Hampshire County.

 

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RHODE ISLAND ODONATA ATLAS: 2003 SEASON SUMMARY

Virginia Brown

 

Despite poor weather conditions for much of the 2003 odonate season, the final year of the Rhode Island Odonata Atlas project was a monumental one. The decision was made in the fall of 2002 to continue this five-year state-wide inventory for a sixth season in order to fill taxonomic and geographic gaps. We knew that our efforts would have to be extraordinarily focused in order to make progress on our gaps, and that general surveys of odonates in many towns would not be productive in filling gaps. Armed with an Excel spreadsheet showing our 133 species versus Rhode Island’s 39 townships, we were able to see where the gaps were and work individually with volunteers to target their efforts. As a result, we added 226 township records and 17 county records to our database in 2003. In addition, two species never before reported in Rhode Island were discovered this year: Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps) and Umber Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsoleta). These new state records were almost completely unexpected and certainly unplanned for such a mature project. We now know of 135 odonate species cruising the waters of Rhode Island, and expect that there are as many as six to eight others yet to be discovered.

 

The copious precipitation that characterized 2003 may have contributed to the unprece­dented numbers of certain species encountered this year, some of which were reported in greater numbers than ever before during the Atlas. These include Wandering and Spot-winged Gliders (Pantala flavescens and P. hymenaea), Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta), and Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum). The two gliders, which were virtually absent from records in 2002, were observed or collected in a total of 27 new townships in 2003.

 

In terms of widespread and abundant species, we have completed Rhode Island distributions (i.e., recorded the species from every township) for 10 species: three damselflies and seven dragonflies. For nine of these species, we have adult specimen vouchers from all 39 townships. The tenth species, the Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice), has now been vouchered from all townships in which habitat is present. We are within range (10 or fewer townships remaining) of completing distributions of an additional 15 species (six damselflies and nine dragonflies), 10 of which are needed from five or fewer townships. Vouchers for two species of this latter group are needed from just one township, though adults have been seen there.

 

In 2003, in addition to targeting species and township gaps, we focused on a few understudied watersheds in the state and this work produced significant results, including the state’s first Umber Shadowdragons and Arrow Clubtails, and three other dragonfly species previously known from only one watershed. Prior to 2003, the Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua) was known from just one location in the southern part of the state. Work in the Blackstone River watershed in northern Rhode Island revealed a large population of this dragonfly, separated by roughly 36 miles from the original South Kingstown site. Similarly, we had records for Zebra Clubtail (Stylurus scudderi) and Maine Snaketail (Ophiogomphus mainensis) only from the Pawcatuck Watershed prior to 2003. Both of these river species were discovered in the Blackstone Watershed this year, disjunct from the Pawcatuck system in the southern part of the state. Also of interest is the remarkable odonate species richness discovered in what was once the most degraded watershed in the state. Although many of the more sensitive odonates discovered in the Blackstone system were found in tributaries upstream of sewage treatment plants and mills, even the main stem of the river (what was once the heart of the industrial revolution) supports fine populations of Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) and Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps). These we have found primarily in the rapid rocky reaches below dams. In addition, as the state’s largest river, the Blackstone is host to numerous populations of American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana), Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis), and Dusky Dancer (Argia translata), again primarily in the vicinity of dams; the two dancers have not been reported outside of Providence County.

 

Surveys for other locally or globally rare, range restricted, and TNC Conservation Targets continued in 2003. Three new populations of Ringed Boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri) were discovered this year, bringing the state total to 27 populations. The 2003 additions are close in proximity to other known populations. All appear to be small in size (based on exuviae collections) and are most likely sub-populations within larger meta-populations. Coppery Emeralds (Somatochlora georgiana) were collected or observed in two additional locations this year. Ovipositing females were observed in one location and a high-flying foraging male was observed in another. We now have adult vouchers for this species from five townships, representing eight different sites. The population in one southern Rhode Island location is particularly large and apparently stable, with swarms of 40 or more animals observed on several days this year and in previous years.

 

Blackwater Bluets (Enallagma weewa) again appeared in good numbers in the usual sites, although no new breeding locations were discovered in 2003. Surveys for three New England endemic damselflies produced excellent results this year. Rhode Island now has a total of 64 populations of New England Bluet (E. laterale) distributed over 17 townships ranging from the northwest corner of the state to the southern and southeastern area. Twenty-three populations of Pine Barrens Bluet (E. recurvatum) are distributed over 12 townships, again including northwestern areas and southern areas of the state. Like the previous two species, the 21 populations of Scarlet Bluet (E. pictum) range throughout the state in 12 townships. One new population of Scarlet Bluet was documented in 2003, along with two of Pine Barrens Bluet. One of the new sites for Pine Barrens Bluet was documented from Warwick, right at the edge of the Providence metropolitan area sprawl.

 

In terms of county diversity, two of our five counties, Washington and Providence, exhibit extraordinary diversity, with 125 and 124 species recorded respectively. Within Providence County, the most diverse township is Burrillville, with 107 species reported. Burrillville, in the northwest corner of Rhode Island, is rich in aquatic habitat diversity and protected land. In the southern part of the state on Block Island Sound, the town of South Kingstown also supports 107 species of odonates, the most diverse township in Washington County. It too contains extensive protected land (including over 14,000 acres in Arcadia Management Area alone) and a great diversity of aquatic habitat.

 

Because of poor weather and lost spring–early summer field time this year, we will encourage our volunteers to contribute collected material through June 2004. We are now working to catalog 2003 specimens and are prepared to begin data entry. Once data entry is complete, we will begin tinkering with the data in preparation for publication of our final project report. Once again, we thank all of our volunteers for their important contributions to this project, and our funders (Rhode Island Natural History Survey and The Nature Conservancy’s Rhode Island Chapter) for their support.

 

 

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The Distribution of Ocellated Darner in Massachusetts

Lynn Harper

 

In Massachusetts the Ocellated Darner (Boyeria grafiana) is protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act — a Species of Special Concern. Prior to 2002, it had been documented from 19 riverine sites in the Deerfield and the Westfield watersheds, according to the records of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP). Many of these sites are clustered along the easily accessed stretches of the rivers and constituted about eight populations of this insect.

 

In early 2002 I became interested in (OK, fascinated, obsessed, enchanted with) odonates as a result of Dave Small's wonderful Dragonfly Institute workshops and field trips (sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club at the Millers River Environmental Center in Athol, MA). One of the most appealing aspects of odes for me is that many of them are rare and the distribution of most of the rare species is not at all well-known, despite the valiant efforts of an army of dedicated Ode News readers. Because I could use NHESP’s extensive data sets to predict where new rarities could be, many times when I went out in search of dragonflies, I had a very good chance of finding something rare in a previously unknown spot. Being new at ode-catching, however, my net skills are a tad lacking, shall we say, so emeralds and clubtails were not my prey of choice. Ocellated Darner, bless it, is relatively slow, often flies low over the water, and hangs out in scenic, shaded, cold rivers during the hottest months of the year, August and September — just my kind of bug.

 

In September of 2002, I chanced to catch several Ocellated Darners along the Green River in Colrain and Leyden, part of the Deerfield watershed. Ocellated Darners had been documented from the Green before, but the river reminded me of several other sites in the state with which I was familiar from explorations for the Massachusetts Herp Atlas Project. The next weekend I checked six or so tributaries to the Deerfield and found Ocellated Darners in three of them, including a few exuviae. I was hooked.

The map shown here is the result of my relentless pursuit of Ocellated Darners in as many suitable small rivers as I could get to in two short field seasons. At the same time, Jennifer Loose and Matt Burne of NHESP were criss-crossing the state in search of rare odes; among the three of us, we have added 23 Ocellated Darner records to the Natural Heritage database, finding the species not only in new as well as previously reported sites in the Deerfield and Westfield basins, but also at sites in upper reaches of the Hudson, Housatonic, and Connecticut watersheds. In addition, the map shows the sites I checked in 2002 and 2003 that I judged to be suitable Ocellated Darner habitat, but which did not yield any adults or exuviae to my searches.

 

It is reasonable to state that Ocellated Darner has a restricted distribution in Massachusetts, limited to rivers and streams in the Berkshire hills. Rivers such as the Millers and Farmington, which are, at least in part, shallow, rocky, fast-flowing, shaded, smallish rivers, apparently do not support Ocellated Darners. While the Farmington has not been searched thoroughly and may yet be found to have grafiana, the Boyeria of the Millers have been extensively netted and annoyed by Dave Small and Earle Baldwin, as well as by me, and I feel reasonably confident that it does not have Ocellated Darner, only the Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa).

The distribution of Ocellated Darners in Massachusetts is still not completely known, however! There are plenty of places in the Deerfield and Westfield watersheds still to be checked, and the extent of the species' range in the Hudson, Housatonic, and Connecticut watersheds has just barely begun to be clarified. All of these reports in Massachusetts are from rivers, with none from the rocky lakes where they are found further to the north. The Natural Heritage Program would welcome reports of Ocellated Darners (and any other state-listed species) from anywhere in the state. A fact sheet on Ocellated Darner can be found on our website (along with fact sheets on 30 other rare odonates in Massachusetts), as can rare species reporting forms and instructions:

www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm.

 

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Massachusetts guide available

 

A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts is now available. The 196-page, full-color guide, published by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, covers all 166 species known from the Bay State with over 300 photos illustrating every species (including females for most). The guide is spiral bound for easy use in the field and is priced at $20.00 (due to the 2003 state budget crisis, the price was set higher than that announced in the last Ode News). The guide is available by mail only (though a few local natural history bookstores are selling it as well) by sending a check for $20/copy (postage is included) to: Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. (www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm)

 

A review of the guide by Fred SaintOurs will appear in the next issue of Ode News.

 

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New England Odonate Conference

 

Plans are underway for a New England Odonate Conference to be held on a yet-to-be-determined weekend in late March or early April, and probably in Athol, Massachusetts (a very central location as well as a hotbed of odonatist activity!). The number of people looking for odonates has increased exponentially in recent years and it seems time we get together and compare notes. The hope is to gather as many active odonate folks as possible to discuss not only what we’ve learned over the past decade or so, but, perhaps more importantly, what we still don’t know and are most in need of learning.

 

Once details have been confirmed, an announcement will be sent out over the Northeastern Odonate listserv (subscribe at: www.odenews.org/Neodes.html), as well as through various other outlets. Stay tuned, and we hope to see you there!

 

Additionally, the 2004 Northeast DSA meeting will be in east-central Vermont the weekend of 25-27 June. More info will appear in the next Ode News.