#odonates

An uncommonly-seen species that flies over clear rivers later in the summer than most clubtails, I’ve been wanting to see these for years and finally got the opportunity last August.

Like many Gomphidae, zebra clubtails are fast, maneuverable fliers and aggressively territorial. Males like this one defend breeding sites along the river both from conspecifics and from other dragonfly species, even those much larger than themselves.

Insectober #6 - Unexpected Predator

Fear not, a Dragonfly will never do any harm to you ! But they WILL eat mosquitoe Larvae and many more. Both the adult Imago and Juvenile form are fearful predators, and therefor play in important role in ecosystems.

Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens)

Family: Libellulidae (Skimmer Dragonfly Family)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Also known as the Globe Wanderer or Wandering Glider, the Globe Skimmer is by far the most widespread and abundant dragonfly on earth - it can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and can be found in almost any habitat that provides suitable water (although it is regionally somewhat rare in Europe.) It is perhaps best known for its migratory behavior, engaging in “multi-generational migrations”, meaning that migrations are carried out somewhat like a relay race - part of the overall migration is carried out by one generation which, upon arriving at a destination, mates and dies, with the next generation then travelling to the next location in the overall migration to ensure that their offspring are born in conditions that increase their chance of surviving for long enough to mate themselves. Different populations of Globe Skimmers travel to different locations depending on where they are born (for example Globe Skimmers born in India cross the Indian Ocean and migrate to eastern Africa in the autumn/fall and upon arriving they breed and produce offspring which will then migrate back to India to breed in the following spring), but in its lifespan a single Globe Skimmer may travel 6,000 km (3,730 miles), while a multi-generational migration may involve travelling over 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles). Globe Skimmers mate while in flight and typically lay their eggs in temporary ponds or deep puddles - the larvae develop very quickly and typically reach full maturity within 30-60 days. As with all dragonflies, both adult and larval Globe Skimmers are agile carnivores - adults feed on smaller flying insects, while larvae feed on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles and even small fish.

Extra Fun Fact: In areas where they occur, it is believed that Globe Skimmers rely on seasonal winds (winds that change directions as the seasons change) to make their migrations easier (typically migrating in the same direction that the wind is blowing.) The changes in wind direction may also be partially responsible for triggering this species’ migratory instincts.

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Orthetrum coerulescens (?) / l'Orthétrum bleuissant ?)

Août 2019.

Too busy to post, so have some odonates from my yard! 

Caterpillar rearing still in full effect. I have ONE tawny emperor caterpillar left, the question marks are back, the flannel babies who hatched from eggs are giant and luxurious, the polyphemus moths are driving elm into extinction, and I keep finding random little green loopers who grow up into random little brown moths with snouts. Someday when I’m not working massive amounts of overtime at my Real Adult Job (which has nothing to do with entomology, probably a good thing), I’ll get back into the habit of posting caterpillars left and right.