Maryland Dragonfly & Damselfly summary for 2021
Richard
Dear Maryland and Washington D.C. dragonfly enthusiasts:
I would like to thank each of you who contributed in some way to the data used in putting the attached information together. If you see where this information would be of value to someone not on this email list, please feel free to forward the information to them.
Dragonfly and damselfly records are often recorded at other locations such as iNaturalist, MD Biodiversity or Odonata Central. Although, I scan for these new records when time allows, if you see a dragonfly or damselfly species published, that is not included in my attached records, no matter the source, please let me know.
I also want to apologize (explain) to those who submitted records that were not incorporated into this year’s data. Most of these were sight records of unexpected or difficult to identify species. Although, I will continue to ensure the integrity of the Maryland and Washington D.C. list, please continue to send in unusual sightings even though no photograph or specimen was collected. If it is truly of interest the exact location can be revisited and hopefully the sighting can be confirmed by a specimen or reveling photograph during the following year. Also, please keep in mind that even with an excellent photograph some individuals can not be identified with 100% certainty. I want to encourage photographs but please understand that they do not equal the collection of the insect in question.
Attached should be five files that update the Maryland and District’s dragonfly and damselfly records at the close of 2021. The file “Dragonfly Records 2021” and “Damselfly Records 2021” contain the current information and county records, in written form, for Maryland and the District of Columbia (new additions are in red print). The file “MD-LIST 2021 Public” provides the current county records in a table form that allows for a quick view of where records are present or absent within the state of Maryland and Washington D.C. The file “New Odonate Records for 2021” lists the new Maryland county and District records added during the 2021 field season and finally, the file “MAILOUT21” is an electronic copy of this cover letter.
Ten (10) new Maryland county records were added this year. A new dragonfly, Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps) was added this year for Washington, D.C. thanks to Frank Hawkings.
Some of the Maryland 2021 highlights include:
1) Two individuals of Ophiogomphus susbehcha (Chesapeake Snaketail/St. Croix Snaketail) were found this spring on the Potomac River at Violette’s Lock (Montgomery County). The adult was photographed by Dave Czaplak on April 15, 2021, and an additional cast skin was collected by Doreen Peters on May 4, 2021. This species has not been found in Maryland since 2017 – it is actively looked for each year. More interesting is that this more than doubles the unknown distribution of this species along the Potomac River [from Violette’s Lock (Montgomery County) to just upstream of Lander’s Boat Launch (Frederick County)].
2) Not since 2001, has such high number of Gomphaeschna antilope (Taper-tailed Darners) been reported from along the edge of the Piedmont/Coastal Plain in Maryland. Although, no new county records were added in 2021, it was still nice to see such high numbers of this normally uncommon dragonfly.
3) Two widely separated individuals of Ischnura prognata (Furtive Forktail) were added to the records this year. Jason Avery’s find in Calvert County was a new county record. The other individual was found by Timothy Reichard at Patuxent Research Refuge (Anne Arundel County). This rare species has been found three out of the last four years on the Refuge. The records of the past couple of years from the western shore of the Coastal Plain in Maryland suggests that they are likely established and not just northern strays from the south as previously thought.
4) Two unexpected distribution records were added in 2021. A Cordulegaster bilneata (Brown Spiketail) was recorded from Garrett County thanks to Rick Cheicante & Dave Czaplak. Also, Hal White collected a Helocordulia uhleri (Uhler’s Sundragon) from Elk Neck State Forest in Cecil County. Both range extensions in Maryland are of special interest since neither of these species were expected from these locations.
5) A photograph was taken of a Tramea darwini (Striped Saddlebags) from Dorchester County by Richard Cook on September 29, 2021. This was a new county record. More importantly the only other record that I am aware of this species from Maryland is from Worcester County back on August 22, 1976.
The distribution of odonates within Maryland and the District are still imperfectly known; in addition, dragonfly populations are dynamic. I will continue, hopefully with your input, to keep the odonate records for Maryland and the Washington D.C. areas. Eventually, this information will be formalized and published, so I would ask that you obtain permission if you wish to use this information for your own publications or reports.
There is no doubt that Maryland and the District have plenty of odonate surprises left, so please keep up the good work. Be sure to check out all the vacant boxes in the “MD-LIST 2021 Public” attached file. There are still plenty of opportunities for an enterprising naturalist to pickup new county records especially in counties that have historically had little coverage.
Many thanks for everyone’s data in 2021 and best of luck in your field work during the 2022 season.
Best of the Holidays,
Richard L. Orr
Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies
5215 Durham Rd-East
Columbia, MD 21044
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonflyhunter/
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