The more you know, the more you know how much you don’t know. Huh? There’s always more to discover/learn! My new discoveries in 2016 are presented in reverse-chronological order.
Eastern Amberwing dragonfly exuviae
Perithemis tenera exuviae, published on 06 December 2016.
07 JUL 2016 | Potomac River | Eastern Amberwing (exuvia, head-on)
I’m a man on a mission to demystify the art and science of odonate exuviae identification. The task is as challenging as I was led to believe, but with determination and persistence it is do-able.
The specimens featured in this post are the first odonate exuviae that I was able to identify to the species level. Although the specimens were collected in early July, they were identified in early December. New species will be added to my Odonate Exuviae page when their identity is confirmed.
Mulligan Pond at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR) is a familiar location where several species, previously unknown to occur at the park, were discovered in 2016.
Shadow Darner dragonfly
Shadow Darner dragonfly (female), posted on 18 October 2016.
14 OCT 2016 | JMAWR | Shadow Darner (female heteromorph)
Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly
Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly (male), posted on 26 September 2016.
22 SEP 2016 | JMAWR | Russet-tipped Clubtail (male)
Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly
Another new species discovered at JMAWR, posted on 20 September 2016.
15 SEP 2015 | JMAWR | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (female andromorph)
Lancet Clubtail dragonfly
Identifying clubtails by the calendar, posted on 30 June 2016.
26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Lancet Clubtail (male)
In addition to my contributions to the odonate species list at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Mike Powell discovered the first official record of Swift Setwing at JMAWR and in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Aeshna umbrosa, andromorph, Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly, Clubtail Family, discovery, Eastern Amberwing dragonfly, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, Gomphus exilis, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Lancet Clubtail dragonfly, male, Mulligan Pond, Perithemis tenera, Potomac River, retrospective, Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly, Shadow Darner dragonfly, Sympetrum ambiguum
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December 26, 2016 at 10:16 am |
Congratulations, Walter, on what has been a really successful year (and thanks for the mention). Best wishes and happy hunting in 2017!
December 26, 2016 at 11:48 am |
Thanks, Mike. “Life-list additions in 2016” (my next post) will tell the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey said famously. You’re welcome to tag along with me next year when I revisit several places where you haven’t gone.