Maryland & Washington D.C. Dragonfly & Damselfly 2020 summery report
Richard Orr
Dear Maryland and Washington D.C. dragonfly enthusiasts:
With tensions high with a raging pandemic and a presidential election, I was pleased to see that many of you focused your time on being outdoors. 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 four files that update the Maryland and District’s dragonfly and damselfly records at the close of 2020. The file “Dragonfly Records 2020” and “Damselfly Records 2020” contain the current information and county records, in written form, for Maryland and the District of Columbia. The file “MD-LIST 2020 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 2020” lists the new Maryland county and District records added during the 2020 field season and finally, the file “MAILOUT20” is an electronic copy of this cover letter.
Twenty-seven (27) new Maryland county records were added this year. A new species of dragonfly, Racket-tailed Emerald, was added for Maryland (thanks to Rick Cheicante & Dave Czaplak) and two species for Washington D.C., the Arrow Clubtail and Swift Setwing (thanks to Frank Hawkings). This year’s field season also yielded a new population (Maryland’s second) for the Red-veined Pennant (thanks to Nathaniel Schwatz) plus an influx of the Variegated Meadowhawks more than doubled the number of Maryland counties where it has now been found.
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.
The attached updated information and reports will soon be added to my webpage: http://www.marylandinsects.com/DragonfliesDamselflies.html . New future 2021 records will be added to the website page when received.
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 2020 Public” attached file. There is still plenty of opportunity for an enterprising naturalist to pickup new county records especially in counties that have had little coverage. If you are in Maryland keep in mind that the Swift Setwing is in Washington D.C. and thus must be in Maryland also. If you are in Washington D.C., please get me a Calico Pennant record. This species has been found in all counties in Maryland and thus must be in Washington D.C. also.
Many thanks for everyone’s data in 2020 and best of luck in your field work during the 2021 season.
Best of the Holidays and stay Healthy,
Richard L. Orr
Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies
5215 Durham Rd-East
Columbia, MD 21044
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonflyhunter/
Rick Borchelt
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