Date Posted:08:25:53 04/30/06 Sun Author:Beverly Subject: Dungeons and Dragons?
Not a dungeon in sight, but plenty of dragons, here at Elk River Retirement Ranch - dragonflies, that is ...
Dragonflies (Anisoptera) and their cousins, damselflies (Zygoptera), are a ubiquitous sight, over the ponds, creeks and fields of the Eastern shore. However, with the decline in the number and viability of such sites, lost to residential and commercial development and 'public works' projects, these creatures, survivors on Earth for some 300 million years, may be finally thwarted by forces far greater than the Ice Age - forces propelled by humans - the chainsaw and the bulldozer.
The aptly named Blue Dasher ( Pachydiplax longipennis - 'That will be enough snickering, class ...') - also called the Blue Pirate, is the only species of Pachydiplax in North America (other North American Dashers are of the genus Micrathyria). Both its appearance and behavior are distinctive. It is difficult to capture because of its "dashing" flight.
Like all Common Skimmers, the female Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) -- so called because of the 12 dark wing spots, 3 on each wing -- deposits her fertilised eggs directly into the water, generally in areas where there is submerged vegetation. The mature males have 10 white spots on their wings (two on the 'upper' wings, and three on the 'lower' wings), giving this species a second 'common' name, 'Ten-spotted Skimmer'.
The Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia) is easily spotted, with its very pale blue 'body'. This dragonfly always reminds me of WWI bi-planes. And the sight of dragonflies 'on the wing' in a hovering position always reminds me of military helicoptors.
All photos here areŠ 2005 by Eric Powers, and were taken at the Elk River Retirement Ranch. Reproducing permitted with appropriate credit, only, thank you.
For more reading on these beautiful insects, visit:
http://powell.colgate.edu/wda/Beginners_Guide.htm
Another source of information, including a glossary and anatomical diagrams:
http://www.gloriamundipress.com/exhibits_dragonflies.htm
