Invertebrates

[clever...@gmail.com]

Last night saw 22 degrees here with a hard frost, and the high today was only 49 degrees. Nonetheless I saw two of these striking dragonflies flitting about this afternoon.

 

 

It would be interesting to know what it was finding to prey on, if anything.

 

 

This spider (dark fishing?) was also active, and ignoring the sign’s admonition against trespassing and hunting.

 

 

Steve Wilson

Isabella

 

[Emily Stone]

Beautiful dragonfly! Here's some more info: Autumn Meadowhawk is a fitting name for these late-season

beauties. As if matching the fall colors, the red-bodied males and brown females both

have orange legs. They seek food and love away from the water—in meadows—then fly

in tandem to the lake. We watch, transfixed, while she first strikes a mossy or muddy rock,

then aggressively dips her large egg spout in the water to clear it for the next round.

Although the adults will become food for migrating birds, the eggs overwinter in safety out

of the reach of hungry aquatic beings. Next spring, rain and high water will trigger the

eggs to hatch. 

Maybe they were eating fungus gnats? I've seen quite a few lately.

Emily M. Stone

Naturalist

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ely Field Naturalists" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to elyfieldnatural...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/elyfieldnaturalists/02ad01dc4540%24cefea290%246cfbe7b0%24%40gmail.com.