dragonflies - Wildlife Gardeners

turttle · 08-04-2012, 02:08 PM

I find it difficult to sort through my dragonfly fieldguide, since I don't see a lot of the subtle differences that put them into the various families. I am hoping to improve with time, since I am seeing more and more varieties on my property as time goes on.

All of these photos are from NC. All but the damselflies are from my property in Chapel Hill.

First, this is the individual who's butt I posted on the POM thread, and 'Lib asked what he was. I think these photos should be sufficient for an id, taken last week.

dragonflies-dragonfly-rudebeckia-deadhead-2-dorsal-web.jpg

Next, I only got one shot of this one, and I am not sure it is sufficient. I think he is a darner, but that is as far as I got. Taken in April.

These damselflies were mating on our tubing boat on the Pamlico Sound in August.

dragonflies-damselflies-mating-tubing-boat-currituck-sound-nc-web.jpg

Lastly, this one is probably grossly inadequate, but it is what I have and suunto works miracles.

sedge · 08-04-2012, 03:56 PM

Hi,
I think that the first two photos are a female Blue Dasher.

No ideas on the damselflies or the darner, sorry.

The last one may be a Twelve-spotted Skimmer.

Hope this helps!

turttle · 08-08-2012, 12:25 PM

Thank you, Sedge. I think you are right about the female blue dasher, and the female twelve spotted skimmer. I have found male twelve spotted skimmers on my property, so even though that photo doesn't show the whole dragonfly, I think it is a good chance the id is correct.

Sage · 08-08-2012, 09:19 PM

Great start for a Dragonfly thread, turttle! I'm about to add them to my list for photography challenges, but ID-ing them seems an even bigger challenge! I'm glad there are folks here who can usually come up with an ID!

turttle · 08-09-2012, 02:24 PM

Should we move this out of bug id, and start a general dragonfly thread under insects?

Sage · 08-09-2012, 02:41 PM

I would say, yes!

turttle · 08-09-2012, 02:54 PM

Is there a way to move this existing thread, or do I just start a new one? I am always interested in learning new WG tools!

suunto · 08-10-2012, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turttle

I find it difficult to sort through my dragonfly fieldguide, since I don't see a lot of the subtle differences that put them into the various families. I am hoping to improve with time, since I am seeing more and more varieties on my property as time goes on.

All of these photos are from NC. All but the damselflies are from my property in Chapel Hill.

First, this is the individual who's butt I posted on the POM thread, and 'Lib asked what he was. I think these photos should be sufficient for an id, taken last week.
Attachment 31299 Attachment 31300

Next, I only got one shot of this one, and I am not sure it is sufficient. I think he is a darner, but that is as far as I got. Taken in April.
Attachment 31301

These damselflies were mating on our tubing boat on the Pamlico Sound in August.

Attachment 31304

Lastly, this one is probably grossly inadequate, but it is what I have and suunto works miracles.

Attachment 31302

I think that Sedge is spot on with the dragonflies; damselflies give me fits, as so many of them can be separated reliably only by examination under magnification. That aside, they likely are one of the bluets in the genus Enallagma - see Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) for an example.

Sage · 08-10-2012, 07:49 AM

I've asked WG Admin about moving the thread

WG Admin · 08-10-2012, 09:32 AM

Ladies-

Where do you want it?

08-04-2012, 02:08 PM	#1
turttle Curious George & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	dragonflies I find it difficult to sort through my dragonfly fieldguide, since I don't see a lot of the subtle differences that put them into the various families. I am hoping to improve with time, since I am seeing more and more varieties on my property as time goes on. All of these photos are from NC. All but the damselflies are from my property in Chapel Hill. First, this is the individual who's butt I posted on the POM thread, and 'Lib asked what he was. I think these photos should be sufficient for an id, taken last week. Next, I only got one shot of this one, and I am not sure it is sufficient. I think he is a darner, but that is as far as I got. Taken in April. These damselflies were mating on our tubing boat on the Pamlico Sound in August. Lastly, this one is probably grossly inadequate, but it is what I have and suunto works miracles. __________________ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein Turttle's pollinator garden

08-08-2012, 12:25 PM	#3
turttle Curious George & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Thank you, Sedge. I think you are right about the female blue dasher, and the female twelve spotted skimmer. I have found male twelve spotted skimmers on my property, so even though that photo doesn't show the whole dragonfly, I think it is a good chance the id is correct. __________________ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein Turttle's pollinator garden

08-08-2012, 09:19 PM	#4
Sage POM Judge & Official Non Gardener Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY	Great start for a Dragonfly thread, turttle! I'm about to add them to my list for photography challenges, but ID-ing them seems an even bigger challenge! I'm glad there are folks here who can usually come up with an ID! __________________ *~Peregrine Place~* *~WG Photo of the Month Contests~*

08-09-2012, 02:24 PM	#5
turttle Curious George & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Should we move this out of bug id, and start a general dragonfly thread under insects? __________________ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein Turttle's pollinator garden

08-09-2012, 02:41 PM	#6
Sage POM Judge & Official Non Gardener Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY	I would say, yes! __________________ *~Peregrine Place~* *~WG Photo of the Month Contests~*

08-04-2012, 03:56 PM	#2
sedge Unicellular Fungi Join Date: May 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI USA	Hi, I think that the first two photos are a female Blue Dasher. No ideas on the damselflies or the darner, sorry. The last one may be a Twelve-spotted Skimmer. Hope this helps!

08-09-2012, 02:54 PM	#7
turttle Curious George & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Is there a way to move this existing thread, or do I just start a new one? I am always interested in learning new WG tools! __________________ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein Turttle's pollinator garden

08-10-2012, 07:49 AM	#9
Sage POM Judge & Official Non Gardener Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY	I've asked WG Admin about moving the thread __________________ *~Peregrine Place~* *~WG Photo of the Month Contests~*

08-10-2012, 09:32 AM	#10
WG Admin WG's Mr. Tomato Head Join Date: Nov 2008	Ladies- Where do you want it? __________________ "If gardening isn't a pleasure for you, chances are the work will merely give you a rotten disposition. If you'd rather be golfing or fishing, get a bumper sticker that says so, and forget gardening." Elsa Bakalar

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