Ode News - An Occasional Newsletter about Dragonflies and Damselflies on Cape Cod

The 1999 field season was productive for ode-watchers across southern New England, and this issue of Ode News is devoted to summarizing the many interesting finds. Several new state records were found (most in Rhode Island), one of which was a first for New England. Many new county records were tallied as well, and several rare species, some that were known only from historical records, were discovered or rediscovered.

Ginger Carpenter has provided a summary of highlights from Rhode Island, where the second year of a very successful atlas project resulted in eight new species for the state list! Mike Thomas has furnished a report from Connecticut where the highlight was the rediscovery of a species virtually unknown from anywhere in New England. We are also pleased to have a contribution from Leah Gibbons describing her research project on Cape Cod surveying three species of bluets, two of which are state-listed. It may be that the unlisted species is actually the rarest of the three!

1999 Massachusetts Highlights

The 1999 season started early and was very active into July. A mild and unusually sunny spring resulted in many early appearances. In 1998, we were surprised by the appearance of 53 odonate species in Massachusetts during May. In May of 1999, no less than 73 (!) species were recorded in the state, many apparently on record early dates. Favorable weather continued throughout June with temperatures well above normal and precipitation almost non-existent, and odonate activity remained high. Riverine species, most of which fly during the first half of the season, seemed to be present in good numbers, and provided many of the highlights detailed below.

The weather continued hot and dry during July and serious drought conditions prevailed throughout much of the area. By early July, water levels at many ponds had fallen and many lentic species seemed very scarce. However, it is unclear to what extent this apparent scarcity was due to the drought or other factors. On Cape Cod, drought conditions were less severe and water levels at many ponds seemed about normal, at least until mid-summer. Nonetheless, a number of species were surprisingly scarce at some coastal plain ponds. Perhaps one factor in the low number of adults this year was poor breeding success following the monsoon-like conditions during the first half of the 1998 season. Whatever the reasons, it is clear that odonate populations, like most insect populations, can fluctuate greatly — for reasons that remain for the most part speculative. We have much to learn!

The latter part of the season was very quiet with few highlights. August and September are typically dominated by mosaic darners (genus Aeshna) and meadowhawks (genus Sympetrum), but both groups seemed to appear in below average numbers this year. Fred Goodwin continued to monitor Aeshna swarms at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary (see Ode News, Vol.V, No. 2), but saw only eight swarms all season, exactly half the number he saw last year, and most were much smaller in size than those observed in 1998. Only one swarm contained as many as 100 darners, and most involved only 20-30 individuals. Similarly, meadowhawks, which can reach near nuisance levels of abundance at times, were seen in only modest numbers in most areas.

There were very few reports of migratory movements of dragonflies in 1999. Northbound movements which typically occur from late May through July seemed almost non-existent. However, a large movement may have passed unobserved during the first week of July, as large swarms of gliders, most of which apparently were Spot-winged Gliders (Pantala hymenaea), were reported in Provincetown on 5 July (see Mark Mello’s note on page 9). Although these insects were not obviously migrating when seen late in the day, the concentration of thousands of individuals around the tip of Cape Cod suggests a significant movement either earlier that day or in the day(s) preceding. Southbound movements were few and modest. Indeed, the only movements of any size were reported from coastal Connecticut (see the Connecticut highlights on page 8), but even there were but a fraction of the numbers noted in 1998.

Initialed Observers: Fred Goodwin, Rick Heil, Jim MacDougall, Stina MacDougall, Dave McLain, Mark Mello, Fred Morrison, Fred SaintOurs, Laurie Saunders, Jackie Sones, Michael Thomas, Jeremiah Trimble, Michael Veit.

Letters in brackets following the species name indicate the Massachusetts state-listing: E = Endangered; T = Threatened; SC = Special Concern.

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana): A number of this striking damselfly were observed perching on rocks in the Westfield River at the I-90 overpass in Russell on 29 August (MT), a first Hampden County record.

Dusky Dancer (Argia translata): This species was found to be quite common at the Littleville Dam in Chester from 22 July to 5 September (FM, LS, DM), the first records for Hampden County. Previously, this dark damselfly was known from only a handful of sites in Worcester and Middlesex counties. This species seems to prefer rather barren ponds and reservoirs.

Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)[SC]: This species was also found at the Littleville Dam in Chester on 22 July (DM, FM, LS), and furnished another new record for Hampden County. Tule Bluets seem to be fairly common from the Connecticut River westward, but there is only one record east of the river.

Turquoise Bluet (Enallagma divagans): At least four of this dark, early season bluet on the Fort River in Amherst on 14 June (JT et al.) provided a first record for Hampshire County.

Big Bluet (Enallagma durum): Michael Veit discovered a small population of this large bluet along the Merrimack River in West Newbury on 20 June, a first for Essex County; at least 20 individuals were there on 22 June (RH).

New England Bluet (Enallagma laterale)[SC]: Jim MacDougall found New England Bluets at two new sites in Boxford (Essex County) on 31 May, and at least six were at Tuxbury Pond in Amesbury on 6 June (RH), right on the New Hampshire border. This species was also found at two sites in Petersham (Worcester County) on 31 May (JT et al.). Leah Gibbons surveyed this species on Cape Cod and found them at 26 sites (see her article on page 10).

Scarlet Bluet (Enallagma pictum): During her surveys of Cape Cod ponds, Leah Gibbons recorded this scarce, local, coastal plain species at 20 sites. This brilliant bluet was also found again at Wallis Pond in Douglas in July (Sid Dunkle).

Pine Barrens Bluet (Enallagma recurvatum) [T]: A population of Pine Barrens Bluets was found at Wallis Pond, Douglas on 30 May (BN, RH), a first Worcester County record. Leah Gibbons’ Cape Cod surveys found the species at 21 sites.

Spatterdock Darner (Aeshna mutata) [E]: This stunning darner was found at sites in Westhampton (Hampshire County), New Salem and Petersham (Worcester County), Pepperell (Middlesex County), West Newbury (Essex County), and Bourne and Eastham (Barnstable County).

Comet Darner (Anax longipes)[SC]: Fred Goodwin saw a single male Comet Darner in Ipswich on 30 May and again on 16 June, a first for Essex County. This species was also found again at a couple of sites in Bourne, but was not seen at some other traditional sites on Cape Cod.

Ocellated Darner (Boyeria grafiana)[SC]: One near the Westfield River in Chester on 9 September (MM) was a first for Hampden County. Dave McLain passes along a belated report of this species on the Deerfield River in Monroe/Rowe in August of 1998, a new site for the species in Massachusetts.

Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) [E]: A male of this lovely, small clubtail was captured on the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 13 June (JT et al.), only the third record of the species in Massachusetts. There is one other recent record from the Connecticut River and a historical record from Provincetown.

Harpoon Clubtail (Gomphus descriptus) [E]: The only record of this scarce clubtail was of a female at the Westfield River in Chester on 26 June (MM), a first for Hampden County.

Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor): One of the best finds of the season, Rapids Clubtails were discovered at Littleville Lake in Chester; individuals were found on several dates from 11 June – 22 July (MM, FM, DM, LS). There is only one previous record for the state, a 19^th century specimen from Mt. Tom. However, the species occurs in Vermont and along the Hudson River in New York, so its presence in western Massachusetts is not surprising.

Dusky Clubtail (Gomphus spicatus): One found at Littleville Lake on 12 June (MM) provided a first for Hampden County.

Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus) [SC]: Cobra Clubtails were numerous over the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 13 June; at least nine were netted and another 40 or more that were probably this species were seen (BN et al.).

Skillet Clubtail (Gomphus ventricosus)[SC]: This rarely encountered clubtail was found at three sites in Massachusetts this year. A male captured in Haverhill on 31 May (RH) represented a first Essex County record. Another male was found on the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 13 June (FM et al.), and the following day at least five males were seen in a small clearing on Mt. Holyoke in Hadley, about a half mile from the river (JT et al.).

Southern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus vernalis): A male captured in South Hadley on 14 June (JT) was a first for Hampshire County. Another new site for the species was found in Concord where a male was captured on 10 June (Brian Butler). This tiny clubtail was also found again at Gulf Brook in Pepperell on 4 June (MV) and in Pembroke on 27 May (FS).

Brook Snaketail (Ophiogomphus aspersus)[SC]: Brook Snaketails were present again on the Squannacook River in West Groton where four were found on 19 June (BN, RH).

Riffle Snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus) [T]: This species was found to be fairly common on the Westfield River in Chester during June (MM), another first for Hampden County.

Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis): Several Rusty Snaketails on the Connecticut River in Sunderland on 13 June (JT et al.), were the first reported in the state in a couple of years.

Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus): Four nymphs of this small clubtail were found in a small brook at the Noanet Woods in Dover on 11 May (JS, BN), the southeastern most record in Massachusetts for the species.

Riverine Clubtail (Stylurus amnicola) [E]: Four recently emerged individuals of this seldom-seen clubtail were found on the shore of the Connecticut River on 13 June (JS et al.).

Zebra Clubtail (Stylurus scudderi)[E]: This species was present again at the Squannacook River in West Groton where a single male was found on 13 July (MV). One was also found along the Fort River in Amherst, during a round of golf (DM)!

Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps)[T]: Three exuviae found on the Merrimack River in Haverhill on 24 July (JT et al.) provided the first Essex County record this century. Two more exuviae were found in the Mill River in Northampton (DM), another new site for this elusive species.

Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua): This striking inhabitant of tiny streams was found again at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary; over 30 nymphs were found on three surveys of Cowpen Brook, 24 April – 1 May (FG, JM), and adults were seen on 4 June (SM) and 6 June, with six individuals on the later date (FG). A single male was also found at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham on 4 July (FS).

Petite Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida): Although fairly widespread throughout much of the state, a female of this species in Adams on the rather late date of 9 August (Richard Orr), was a first for Berkshire County.

Uhler’s Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri): This species was found to be common on the Westfield River in Chester in June (MM), another first for Hampden County.

Umber Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsoleta) [SC]: The discovery of this species at the Powwow River in Amesbury furnished another first Essex County record. Five exuviae were found on 20 June (JT et al.) and ten adults were observed on 22 June (RH). Fifty or more exuviae were also found on the Merrimack River in Haverhill on the former date (JT et al.). Additionally, Michael Veit found this crepuscular species to be numerous on the Nashua River in Groton/Pepperell on 22 June.

Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis): Although Stygian Shadowdragon exuviae have been found in numbers along the Connecticut River in recent years, seven adults netted over the river in Northampton on 13 June and three more on 14 June (JT et al.) appear to be the first adults recorded in the state. Another adult was found in Easthampton, a short distance from the river, in late June (DM).

Ski-tailed Emerald (Somatochlora elongata)[SC]: This species was found again on Mt. Watatic in Ashburnham, with singles on 3 July and 6 August (JT).

Coppery Emerald (Somatochlora georgiana)[E]: Another new site for this rare, southern emerald was discovered when Rick Heil captured a male among an evening swarm of emeralds and darners in West Newbury on 22 July. Three were netted and at least three others were seen on 24 July. Several individuals thought to be this species were seen again in Holliston on 7 & 11 July (JT, BN), but they eluded capture.

Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)[SC]: This large, southern emerald was found at three sites in Essex County: 1–2 were captured on several occasions among the evening swarms in West Newbury, 7–22 July (RH); four were captured among an evening swarm in Andover on 4 July (RH); and at least five males were found patrolling over puddles in a dirt road in the Crane Pond WMA in Byfield on 30 July (RH). The West Newbury records represent the northernmost known for this species. Although Mocha Emeralds have not been recorded in New Hampshire, their presence just south of the border suggests it should be looked for there. Mocha Emeralds were also present again in Holliston, where as many as eight were found on three evenings during the period 3–11 July (BN et al.).

Ebony Boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri) [E]: This dark little corduliid was present again at Tom’s Swamp in Petersham where 15 or more were seen on 31 May (JT et al.). In addition to several territorial males, an ovipositing female and a freshly emerged female with exuvia were found.

Ringed Boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri) [E]: A single male was found at a new site in Ipswich on 25 April (JM), but we are not aware of any other reports of this rare corduliid in Massachusetts this year.

Crimson-ringed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis): Four males in Holliston on 30 May (JT et al.) represent the southeastern-most record of this local, boreal species in Massachusetts. A teneral female in Groton on 6 May (MV) and a male there on 19 June (RH et al.) were also notably far east.

Red-waisted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima): Several individuals in a Groton bog on 16 May (MV) represent the first recent record for Middlesex County, and the easternmost site in the state.

Blue Corporal (Libellula deplanata): Three males at Chebacco Lake in Hamilton on 16 June (RH) were the first in Essex County and the northernmost known occurrence of this southern species.

Needham’s Skimmer (Libellula needhami): This southern species is near the northern edge of its range in Essex County and this year was recorded from several sites north to Plum Island (RH).

Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans): A female of this large, southern dragon at Barre Falls Dam in Barre on 7 July (MM) provided a first Worcester County record. Another female was found on Martha’s Vineyard on 14 July (MM).

Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella): This delightful, Lilliputian skimmer was found in abundance at a bog in southern Ashburnham where as many as 150 were estimated during July (BN, MV et al.). Lesser numbers were found at Wallis Pond in Douglas on 30 May (BN, RH), and at the Riceville Reservoir in Petersham on 13 June (MV).

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens): Wandering Gliders seemed rather scarce this year. High counts were 65+ in Peabody on 28 August and 40 at Plum Island the same day (RH).

Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea): On 31 May, 15 Spot-winged Gliders were counted moving north in one hour at Plum Island (RH). Eighty or more were part of an evening swarm in Andover on 4 July (RH), and the following day thousands were seen in Provincetown (MM). One at Littleville Dam on 9 September (MM) furnished yet another first for Hampden County.

Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti): Fred Goodwin captured and photographed a male of this tropical vagrant in Ipswich on 19 August. Although there was a sight record of this species in Eastham in 1997 (see Ode News, Vol. IV, No.2), the Ipswich individual represents the first confirmed record for New England!

Rhode Island Atlas Update

Ginger Carpenter

The second year of the Rhode Island Odonata Atlas got off to a flying start this past spring. In the course of two sessions in March, 40 volunteers were trained in field and laboratory techniques, dragonfly and damselfly natural history and ecology, identification, and more. The first dragonflies took to the air on 15 April and, after what seemed like a slow start, the numbers and diversity of these spectacular insects grew to a phenomenal peak by mid-summer. The accomplishments of this year’s team of field and lab volunteers are remarkable.

In 1999, eight species never before reported in Rhode Island were added to the state’s Odonata list and two of these are of conservation concern. We now have a total of 129 species of dragonflies and damselflies recorded for Rhode Island. These new additions to the state list include Blackwater Bluet (Enallagma weewa), Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii), Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), Dusky Clubtail (Gomphus spicatus), Southern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus vernalis), Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua), Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis), and Coppery Emerald (Somatochlora georgiana). Although most of these species were expected here (i.e., they occur in neighboring states and/or habitat is present in Rhode Island), they were pleasant surprises nonetheless. The Blackwater Bluet is a first for New England! The Coppery Emerald caught in Exeter represents only the sixth occurrence of this rare southern species north of Virginia.

In addition to the new species, volunteers also produced records of six species previously known from only one or two locales in Rhode Island. One of these, the spectacular giant red Comet Darner (Anax longipes), was heretofore reported for the state only as a sight record. It is simply too fast and powerful in flight to catch easily. This species was caught in two different locales in 1999. Also significant was the discovery of a new population of the rare Ringed Boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri) in Tiverton. This represents the first occurrence of the boghaunter in Rhode Island east of Narragansett Bay. Also intriguing were numerous new records for the lovely Scarlet Bluet (Enallagma pictum), which had been reported from just three ponds in the state prior to this year. The species occurs in only five northeastern states, generally in the coastal plain. All three pre-1999 Rhode Island occurrences were in the coastal communities of South Kingstown and Charlestown. This season nine new Scarlet Bluet populations were located, expanding the local distribution of this species all the way to Foster and Burrillville.

In the course of the dragonfly season, a few hotspots of odonate diversity have surfaced which will lead The Nature Conservancy to conservation work in places where we have not previously worked. One example is a pond and wetland system in Foster, which has produced at least 51 species of dragonflies and damselflies, including one of the state records (Canada Darner) and three species considered globally imperiled by The Nature Conservancy. This wetland system includes a grassy pond with relatively southern coastal plain pond characteristics, a somewhat northern beaver swamp, and a pristine forested stream. Because of the diversity of habitats and the mix of northern and southern vegetative and aquatic features, this site supports extraordinary diversity and numbers of dragonflies and damselflies. As a result we observed an interesting mix of northern and southern species at this site. For example, in a single swarm of big darner dragonflies, the striking northern Canada Darner was flying side-by-side with the more southern and coastal Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra).

While the efforts of the field volunteers were exemplary, there is also much work going on behind the scenes in the lab. Several volunteers and staff are responsible for creation and upkeep of the Atlas database and the collection, which has grown by leaps and bounds in the past year. Over 2,000 specimens were collected by Atlas volunteers in 1999!

Several fun and well-attended Atlas events took place this year. Volunteers gathered one evening each month at the Conservancy office to view fully prepared specimens, learn identification, and discuss issues or problems. In addition, monthly field trips brought the group together at local ponds and streams across the state. In June, 12 people attended the Wood River Sweep, documenting 24 species that day. July’s trip was a visit to that incredibly diverse Foster wetland system, with the ten people in attendance adding six new species to the pond’s list in just two hours. And in August a small but enthusiastic group of ode-hunters worked the Nature Conservancy’s Matunuck Hills Preserve in South Kingstown, documenting 19 species at that site.

Despite the great early successes of this project, more field and lab help is needed. In 2000, a late winter (March) organizational and training meeting will kick off the third year of this five year project. Anyone interested in participating in the Year 2000 Atlas (and beyond!) should contact Ginger Carpenter at (401) 331-7110.

Odonata of Maine Paper

Paul-Michael Brunelle has recently authored "Distribution of Damselflies and Dragonflies (Odonata) of Maine," published in the Northeastern Naturalist (6[2]:95-118). A detailed review of the state’s odonate fauna, the paper includes species accounts, a brief history of the study of odonata in Maine, and tables outlining the flight seasons and distribution of each species by county. The author recognizes 155 species and subspecies in Maine, 43 damselflies and 112 dragonflies. Maine has begun a 5-year odonate atlas project, and this article provides a baseline upon which the atlas can build. This is yet another in the impressive list of contributions Paul Brunelle has made to odonatology in Atlantic Canada and northern New England.

The Northeastern Naturalist is a collaborative publishing effort based at the Humboldt Field Research Institute, P. O. Box 9, Steuben, ME, 04680-0009. Subscriptions (four issues per year) are $40 annually ($30 for students).

1999 DSA Meeting in New York

Blair Nikula

Over the weekend of 9–11 July, Jeremiah Trimble and I journeyed to Paul Smiths College in the Adirondacks of northern New York to join about 50 other attendees at the annual meeting of The Dragonfly Society of the Americas. Despite a summer of record heat, the weekend was beset with cold, damp, generally miserable weather, making odes difficult to find. Jeremiah found one of the few noteworthy bugs of the weekend on the first evening when he wandered down to the shore of the nearby lake and caught a Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis). However, the indoor activities were, as usual, very enjoyable and informative, highlighted by some knock-your-eyes-out slides of odonates from Malaysia and Australia. Most of the participants roomed in one of the college’s dorms, and some of the weekend’s highlights for me were the many discussions and debates that took place in the dorm hallways. Despite the weather, the meeting was a great success and well worthwhile. Next year’s meeting is scheduled for Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

1999 Connecticut Highlights

Michael Thomas

The most exciting news this past summer was the discovery of one of the state's rarest odonates, the Tiger Spiketail (Cordulegaster erronea), in Middlesex County by one of Dave Wagner's former students, Monty Volovski, while conducting an invertebrate survey for The Nature Conservancy. On 18 July, two males were observed patrolling along a small, forested brook near its origin at a spring-fed seepage dominated by Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). The brook, approximately 0.5-1.5 meters in width with a medium gradient, has a gravel substrate interspersed with numerous pockets of fine sand deposits. With the severe drought conditions experienced this past summer, the lower section of the brook was entirely dry, with only the first 75 meters showing any appreciable water flow. One small brook trout was observed in one of the deeper pools, attesting to the cold water temperature of the brook. The only other odonates seen in this forested habitat were Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata). With severe drought conditions extending through August, we hope the larvae survived.

While conducting a survey for an exotic cerambycid beetle (Callidiellum rufipenne) in southwest Connecticut, a new locality for Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) and Dusky Dancer (Argia translata) was discovered in a most unusual manner. One of the sites being surveyed was a nursery adjacent to the Rippowam River in Stamford, CT. The method used to attract and capture adult beetles involved placing two-foot cedar logs (host material) containing a sticky nylon band at the base of host trees. At this site, approximately six trap-logs were placed along a 50 meter section of the river, which were inspected once a week. On 8 June, a male Spine-crowned Clubtail was found on one of the sticky bands. The only other record for Fairfield County dates back to 1918. On 20 July, a male Dusky Dancer was found on a sticky band, furnishing a new county record. A subsequent search along the river yielded several tandem pairs, suggesting this species is well established at this site. Other odonates inadvertently captured using this sampling technique included Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata), Variable Dancers (Argia fumipennis violacea), Common Whitetails (Libellula lydia), and Twelve-spotted Skimmers (Libellula pulchella).

On 31 May, eclosing and teneral adults of the Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus) were found in the vicinity of Kings Island (Enfield) on the Connecticut River between 9:00 am – 11:00 am. The eclosing larvae were observed on tree trunks along the river's bank, at a height ranging from approximately 1–3 meters. Signs of bird predation were evident, with the remains of teneral wings scattered along the riverbank. Several tenerals were located by tapping the foliage along the river. Although exuviae are frequently encountered at this site, this is the first time emergence has been observed in Connecticut.

For the fourth consecutive year, both Stygian and Umber Shadowdragons (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis & N. obsoleta) were found along the Connecticut River in Cromwell during June. Noble Proctor found Boreal Clubtail (Gomphus borealis) in Hartland, only the third location known for this species in Connecticut, and Mustached Clubtail (Gomphus adelphus) in Nepaug. Noble also caught a Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis) in New Haven County.

Other noteworthy highlights include new county records for Sphagnum Sprite (Nehalennia gracilis) [New Haven Co.], Spatterdock Darner (Aeshna mutata) [Windham Co.], Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) [Fairfield & Litchfield Co.], Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha) [Fairfield Co.], Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer) [New Haven & Middlesex Co.], Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) [New Haven & New London Co.], Petite Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida) [Middlesex Co.], Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) [Fairfield Co.], Clamp-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora tenebrosa) [Hartford Co.], Brush-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora walshii) [Hartford & Middlesex Co.], Williamson's Emerald (Somatochlora williamsoni) [Hartford Co.], Red-waisted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima) [New Haven Co.], and Needham's Skimmer (Libellula needhami) [Middlesex & New London Co.].

Dragonflies of Washington

The Seattle Audubon Society has recently published an attractive booklet, Dragonflies of Washington, authored by Dennis Paulson. This 32-page, 5½"x 8½" publication covers all of the 20 damselflies and 56 dragonflies recorded in Washington state. There are 84 color photographs, plus two cover photos, depicting 16 of the damselfly species and 49 of the dragonflies (37 of these species have been found in New England). The 16 pages of text include an introduction to dragonflies; an annotated list of the dragonflies of Washington with habitat, distribution, and seasonality; sections on dragonfly anatomy, identifying Washington dragonflies, and studying dragonflies; a key to Washington dragonfly families; and a glossary of terms. The concise text is packed with information, and the photographs are of high quality and are very well reproduced. Best of all, the price is only $3.50! We have just learned that the first printing has already sold out, but a second printing should be available after the first of the year. To order, contact the Seattle Audubon Society, 8050 35^th Avenue SE, Seattle, WA 98115.

Ode News

Editorial Staff & Production…Blair Nikula and Jackie Sones
Illustrations…Fahy Bygate, Jackie Sones, and Jeremiah Trimble

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