Patuxent Research Refuge June 9-10-11, 2026

[odona...@comcast.net]

I visited the Refuge's North Tract (Sundew Bog, Lemon Bridge Road, and Little Patuxent River at Bailey Bridge) on June 7th, Central Tract (Hance Pond environs and Patuxent River at Duvall Bridge environs) on June 8^th and South Tract (northern half of Cash Lake — See:Cash Lake on June 9, 2026 | Cash Lake, Patuxent Research Ref… | Flickr ) on June 9th.  The numbers in the list below represent the sum of all three visits.  Only a few butterflies seen, but my count is low on skippers since I did not focus on them and in addition many were so worn that I didn't even attempt an identification.  You butterfly people please take a look at my photo of the Dusted Skipper since it was pretty worn and I may be in error. 

ODONATA SEEN:

Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata)  -- 40+

American Rubyspots (Hetaerina americana) -- 4

Elegant Spreadwings (Lestes inequalis) — 40+ — See: Male Elegant Spreadwing | Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequa… | Flickr 

Slender Spreadwings (Lestes rectangularis) -- 2

Swamp Spreadwings (Lestes vigilax) — 1 (teneral)

Blue-fronted Dancers (Argia apicalis) -- 2

Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) -- 4

Blue-tipped Dancers (Argia tibialis) -- 118+

Stream Bluets (Enallagma exsulans) — 6 — See: Stream Bluets in Wheel | Stream Bluet (Enallagma exsulans) c… | Flickr 

Skimming Bluets (Enallagma geminatum) -- 4

Lilypad Forktails (Ischnura kellicotti) — 80+ — See: Immature Female Lilypad Forktail | Lilypad Forktail (Ischnur… | Flickr 

Fragile Forktails (Ischnura posita) -- 34+

Eastern Forktails (Ischnura verticalis) -- 2

Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) -- 1

Black-shouldered Spinylegs (Dromogomphus spinosus) — 3 cast skins, no adults

Dragonhunters (Hagenius brevistylus) — 8 cast skins plus 2 emerging — See: Dragonhunter Leaving the Water to become a Predator in the… | Flickr  &  Dragonhunter Emerging | Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus).… | Flickr 

Lancet Clubtails (Phanogomphus exilis) — 4 adults and 1 cast skin

Laura's Clubtail (Stylurus laurae) — 2 cast skins, no adults — See: Empty Skin of Laura's Clubtail | Cast Skin of Laura's Clubta… | Flickr 

Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) -- 1

Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa) -- 1

Royal River Cruiser (Macromia taeniolata) — 1 cast skin, not adults

Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) -- 2

Calico Pennants (Celithemis elisa) -- 3

Banded Pennants (Celithemis fasciata) — 36+

Double-ringed Pennants (Celithemis verna) -- 2

Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis) -- 115+

Blue Corporals (Ladona deplanata) -- 8

Spangled Skimmers (Libellula cyanea) — 23 — See: Spangled Skimmer Ovipositing | Spangled Skimmer (Libellula c… | Flickr 

Widow Skimmers (Libellula luctuosa) -- 10

Slaty Skimmers (Libellula incesta) -- 17

Painted Skimmers (Libellula semifasciata) -- 8

Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) -- 1

Common Whitetail (Platemis lydia) -- 54+

Elfin Skimmers (Nannothemis bella) — 15+ — See: Female Elfin Skimmer | Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella). Th… | Flickr 

Blue Dashers (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- 88+

Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) — 2 — See: Teneral Female Eastern Amberwing | Eastern Amberwing (Perith… | Flickr 

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) — 1 — See: Freshly Emerged Black Saddlebags | Black Saddlebags (Tramea … | Flickr 

BUTTERFLIES SEEN:

Zebra Swallowtail -- 1

Orange Sulphur -- 1

Summer Azures -- 2

Eastern Tailed Blues -- 3

Great Spangled Fritillaries -- 14

Variegated Fritillary -- 1

Little Wood Satyr -- 1

Least Skippers -- 11

Zabulon Skippers — 2 — See: Female Zabulon Skipper | Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon). P… | Flickr 

Dun Skipper -- 1

Dusted Skipper — 1 — well worn — See: Old and Worn Dusted Skipper | Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis h… | Flickr 

Richard Orr