10 July 2009

Another county, another first

On July 2, 2009, I decided to search Onsted State Game Area in Lenawee County, Michigan. Another cool and cloudy day didn't bode well for ode hunting.

Initially I checked the boat launch on Grassy Lake and found several Swamp Spreadwings (Lestes vigilax). The only vouchers are from 1933. Here are pictures of a male and its terminal appendages.

Next I checked the upland area above the lake and immediately a couple of Banded Pennants (Celithemis fasciata) which is a new species for the county.
Here is a male Banded Pennant:
Here is a female Banded Pennant:
Also, found in an upland area, not too distant from the lake, were a couple of skimmer species.
- Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta), here is a female:
- Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea), here is a male:
Another nice find for the day was a male Vesper Bluet (Enallagma versperum) which was found between Grassy Lake and Deep Lake.
Of course, the biggest surprise were the Banded Pennants (C. fasciata). Almost every time I visit Lenawee County, a new or updated record is found. This under-surveyed county will have more new species to be discovered in the future.

2 comments:

Redgannet said...

Hi guys,
I have just found your fabulous blog. Congratulations on a great job.
I am searching for a guide to dragonflies of Brazil at the moment. Any ideas?
www.redgannet@gmail.com
www.redgannet.blogspot.com

Darrin OBrien said...

Red, if I may call you that. ;^)

I know of one...we have Damselflies of Brazil - 1 (Non-Coenagrionidae families) by F.A.A. Lencioni.

Others that are close, but no cigar include:
Dragonflies of Central America by Steffen Foerster
and
Dragonflies and damselflies of Middle America and the Caribbean by Carlos Esquivel

None of these are complete for your needs, unfortunately.