Google Calendar was used to synthesize Dr. Steve Roble’s excellent datasets for the Commonwealth of Virginia into two calendars: Dragonflies (VA Flight Dates); and Damselflies (VA Flight Dates). An online, interactive version of both calendars is provided on this page.
Dragonflies (VA Flight Dates) – Updated for 2021
The dragonflies calendar is shown below. Every event features the following information: common name; scientific name; early-date/late-date; abundance; and habitat.
Damselflies (VA Flight Dates) – Updated for 2021
An interactive version of the damselflies calendar is also available online, as shown below. Every event features the following information: common name; scientific name; early-date/late-date; abundance; and habitat.
Color-coded versions
Both calendars are color-coded by family. Regrettably, the color-coding is lost in the online, interactive version of both calendars. That is, unless you print the .ics version of the calendars (samples shown below). Please contact me if you would to have copies of the .ics versions of the calendars.
The colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV) were used to color-code the seven families of dragonflies; the equivalent colors in the Google Calendar default color palette are shown in brackets. The colors for Emeralds and Clubtails were flip-flopped because it just makes sense the Emeralds should be color-coded green!
- R = Family Aeshnidae (Darners) [Tomato]
- O = Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails) [Tangerine]
- G = Family Corduliidae (Emeralds) [Basil]
- Y = Family Gomphidae (Clubtails) [Banana]
- B = Family Libellulidae (Skimmers) [Peacock]
- I = Family Macromiidae (Cruisers) [Blueberry]
- V = Family Petaluridae (Petaltails) [Grape]
Dragonflies (VA Flight Dates) – March 2021
“FSL” was used to color-code the three families of damselflies common to the mid-Atlantic states (USA); the equivalent colors in the Google Calendar default color palette are shown in brackets.
- F – Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies) [Flamingo]
- S – Family Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged Damselflies) [Sage]
- L – Family Lestidae (Spreadwings) [Lavendar]
For what it’s worth, all of the colors for the damselflies calendar are pastel shades.
Damselflies (VA Flight Dates) – March 2021
Related Resources
“CHECKLIST OF THE DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF VIRGINIA, April 2017 and April 2020 updates” by Dr. Steve Roble, Staff Zoologist at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage.
Kevin Munroe, former manager of Huntley Meadows Park, created an excellent calendar called Dragonflies of Northern Virginia – Flight Periods. This calendar is a valuable resource for hunting dragonflies in Northern Virginia. I think the value of Kevin Munroe’s calendar is enhanced by using it in combination with my visualization of Dr. Steve Roble’s dataset.
Dragonflies & Damselflies of Loudoun County features a flight calendar for both dragonflies and damselflies.
Copyright © 2021 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Virginia
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March 17, 2021 at 2:54 pm |
Very nice. I live further north in NY. I guess most dates need to be adjusted later for here.
March 17, 2021 at 5:04 pm |
Later, yes, especially for the spring species. How much? I suggest you pick a few common spring species and see how much later they emerge in NY than VA. By summer (at the latest) and certainly by fall, I think our dates and yours will be in sync more closely.
March 17, 2021 at 5:57 pm |
Thanks