Damselflies, their more fragile-appearing relatives, are less frequently found far from home along natural watercourses, but some species may be found in gardens with even small water features. We are fortunate in living close to the Laguna de Santa Rosa, but many dragonflies will fly a long distance from permanent water. Flame skimmer dragonfly ( Libellula saturata) Illustration: Craig Latker That is when we realized that one of the unexpected benefits of our tub, which we had sunk in the perennial border to accommodate a few aquatic plants and provide water for wildlife, would be a delightful new entertainment, easily viewed from our patio. (1999) Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata, p204.Within minutes of filling the old cast-iron tub with water, we were watching the aerial antics of several cardinal meadowhawk dragonflies as they swooped and darted about the garden. Volunteers: Edward Chein, Ryan Meczkowski, Naghma Malik, Lydia Lanni, Ellie Clark, Kit Sheffield, Andrea Menzo, Lynn Mobley, Riverbend Dragonfly Survey Group, Marijke Gate, Jamie Fish, John Callow. Much thanks goes out to all of our volunteers and staff and to Richard Orr who has verified several challenging adult species and cast skins (exoskeletons). The species is either the Elusive clubtail (G3 - globally rare, S1 - state rare) or the Russet-tipped clubtail (S3 - watch listed).įour years of study focused on ponds, a vernal pool and a portion of the Potomac River. The Cyrano darner (S3 - watch listed) breeds in Carper's Pond, a wooded pond that is formed from a seep within the park.įive cast skins of a clubtail species have proven difficult to identify. The Midland clubtail (S1-state rare) and Ocellated darner (S3 - watch listed) were documented as well. This also was the first recording of it in Fairfax County. For the first time in 25 years, the Spine-crowned clubtail was documented along the Potomac at Riverbend Park. The Spine-crowned clubtail, a hybrid G3G4 and state rare species, had historically been recorded from only two locations along the Potomac River. Several great records were made this past season (2004). Thirty-four dragonfly species have been recorded to date, of which 30% of the dragonflies are state rare or watch-listed species. Riverbend is home to more than 10% of the dragonfly species in North America. Riverbend Park hosts a variety of wetland and meadow habitats that attract dragonflies. "The presence of a vigorous and diverse odonate (dragonfly and damselfly) fauna will always be a reliable indicator of the stability, health and integrity of a wetland ecosystem."¹ Dragonflies are valuable indicators of general ecosystem health. Many species are habitat specific and require unpolluted aquatic environments such as seeps, streams, and ponds. Life-long predators, dragonflies spend most of their life as a larva in aquatic habitats before emerging into the winged adult insect. Selections from a Riverbend Park Dragonfly Study Report: February 2005 Classes on dragonflies and damselflies are available occasionally at Fairfax County nature centers. Fossil dragonflies had wingspans of more than two feet.ĭragonflies and damselflies are also quite common at Huntley Meadows Park. There are dragonfly fossils that are very large in comparison to today's largest, six-inch dragonfly. As adults may have only have 5 weeks above water to reproduce.May spend up to 5 years as larvae in a pool or spring before they crawl out and begin to fly.The combination of natural communities, some of them rare, in the Potomac Gorge helps create perfect habitat for so many dragonflies. For example, Cobra Cubtail are there in June, and the Illinois River Chaser is there in July. Naturalist Karen Sheffield conducted a study of them at Riverbend Park and discovered the park is home to more than 10% of North America's dragonfly species. Recreation Services for Customers with Disabilities ♿įairfax County is home to an abundance of dragonflies.Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program.
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