DRAGONFLIES OF SANDUSKY.
James S. Hine.
James S. Hine.
James S. Hine.
As the dragonflies of Sandusky have been quite carefully collected for a number of years, it may be worth while to give the result in the form of a list with notes on some of the species.
Calopteryx maculata and Hetaerina americana have not been taken as commonly as in some places, for the locality does not furnish their most desirable surroundings.
The genus Lestes is represented by unguiculatus, uncatus, disjunctus, forcipatus, rectaugularis, vigilax, inequalis and eurinus. Nearly all of these species are abundant and are mostly found among the grass at the edge of the marsh.
The genusArgiais represented by four species, putrida, violacea, sedula and apicalis. The first two are very numerous in individuals.
Nehalennia posita and irene; Enallagma civile, ebrium, carunculatum, aspersum, exsulans, geminatum, antennatum, signatum pollutum; Amphiagrion saucium and Ischnura verticalis have all been taken, usually near the water’s edge.
The Gomphines are not represented by a great number of species. Gomphus vastus is exceedingly common, and fraternus, furcifer, exilis, spicatus and plagiatus have been taken. Dromogomphus spinosus is also common.
Epiaeschna heros and Æschna verticalis and constricta may occasionally be seen, especially about the time the sun sets, catching small insects for food. Anax junius is the most conspicuous species in the locality from May to September.
Macromia illinoiensis is a very common species. At certain times the males and females of this species may be found in numbers in quiet places among bushes, where they come to rest on the under side of branches, their bodies being at an angle of about thirty degrees with the branch. They are easily approached at such times, and two females and four males have been taken at a single sweep of the net.
Epicordulia princeps, Tetragoneuria cynosura, Tramea carolina and lacerata and Pantala flavescens are occasionally seen.
Neurocordulia yamaskanensis has only been taken once on Rattlesnake Island. It is a rare species, but one that is more common in the northern states.
The genus Libellula is represented by basalis, 4-maculata, semifasciata, pulchella and incesta; and Sympetrum by obtrusum, rubicundulum, vicinum, senicinctum and corruptum.
Pachydiplax longipennis, Plathemis lydia, mesothemis simplicicollis, Perithemis domitia, Leucorhinia intacta and Celethemis eponina and elisa are abundant, and with the members of the genus Libellula furnish a very large percentage of the dragonfly life of the Sandusky Marshes.