LOCALadk Magazine

Spring 2018 LOCALadk Magazine 19 LOCALadk Other dragonfly families you may see in the area are Clubtails, Spiketails, Cruisers, Emeralds, and Skimmers. Damselfly families in- clude Broad-winged, Spreadwing, Pond Damsels, Bluets, Forktails, and Sprites. For identification purposes, a field guide is indispens- able. Guides provide examples of each family, genus, and species. A guide may also show which species are abundant in any given area, field marks of each species, and specific variations in size, color, and wing features. Some books include size scales, habitat, mating and courtship displays, and natural histor y tidbits. Most book stores within the Adirondacks now carr y a plethora of field guides and oth- er aids to help you with Odonata identification. Odonata do not make sounds or emit noises, they do not have ears or a sense of smell, but they do have magnificent vision. The compound eye of a dragonfly has nearly 30,000 lenses. They can scan, with a slight turn of their head, 360 degrees and can see above and below. Their flying ability is to be envied. They can fly for ward, backward, glide, and hover. Dragonflies and damselflies can be found in a wide range of lo - cations, from quiet ponds to bogs, rivers, brooks, streams, large lakes, and even wildflower meadows and gardens. All in the Odo- nata order have voracious appetites and consume vast quantities of insects that we find annoying and harmful, especially black flies and mosquitoes. It is a common misconception that dragonflies and damselflies sting or bite; this is untrue. If you see a dragonfly flying directly towards you, it has no intention of harming you, it is merely pursuing the insect which is about to harass you. Hopefully, this season, you too will find dragonflies and damsel- flies intriguing. Aurora Damsel Elfin Skimmer Dragonfly Emerald Spreadwings mating

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