A List 
with some photos 
of Dragonflies  
and Damselflies
in eastern 
North America

including those during 
 Focus On Nature Tours
 in North Carolina,
 the Delmarva Peninsula, 
 and elsewhere in the East 


This List 
of Dragonflies and Damselflies
compiled by Armas Hill


With LINKS to LISTS of:  MOTHS and BUTTERFLIES  
and  BEETLES, OTHER INSECTS, & SPIDERS


Photo at upper right: DAMSELFLIES known as STREAM BLUETS, Enallagma excsulans
Photo below: a DRAGONFLY known as the BLUE DASHER, Pachydiplax longipennis 
(upper photo by Doris Potter; lower photo by Howard Eskin)

Codes:

Numbers noted as (D:xx) refer to plates with photos in "Dragonflies through Binoculars - A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America", by Sidney Dunkle

Numbers noted as (P:xx) refer to pages with photos in "Dragonflies & Damselflies of the East", by Dennis Paulson

The second of these is a fine new book, an excellent field guide for the "odes" of eastern North America, published by Princeton University Press in 2011.

Another book, with some quite interesting text, is "Natural History of Delmarva Dragonflies and Damselflies", essays of a lifelong observer, by Hal White. Some notes in this list are from that book.   


DE:   occurs in Delaware
FL:   occurs in Florida
MD:  occurs in Maryland 
NC:   occurs in North Carolina
NJ:   occurs in New Jersey
PA:   occurs in Pennsylvania
VA:   occurs in Virginia

In Sussex County, in northern New Jersey, 142 species of dragonflies and damselflies has been recorded, more than in any other county in the United States.     
 

Links to Groupings within this List:

DRAGONFLIES    Darners     Clubtails    Dragonhunter    Spinylegs     Sanddragons     

Snaketails    Ringtail     Spiketails    Cruisers     Emeralds     Sundragons     Baskettails    

Shadowdragons     Skimmers    Whitetails    Corporals    Meadowhawks    Dragonlets     

Pondhawks    Saddlebags    Hyacinth Glider    Pasture Glider    Coastal Pennants

Tropical Pennants    Whitefaces    Small Pennants 

DAMSELFLIES     Broad-winged Damsels     Jewelwings     Rubyspots     Spreadwings     

Pond Damsels     Bluets     Forktails     Dancers     Sprites

Other Links:

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in North America
(including North Carolina, and Delaware, Maryland, & Virginia)

FONT Past Tour Highlights    Photo Galleries & Narratives from past FONT tours

Birds during FONT Tours in North Carolina    Birds of North America, in 6 Parts

Eastern North America Mammals (Land & Sea) inc. those during FONT Tours 

Eastern North America Butterflies     Eastern North America Moths

Eastern North America Amphibians & Reptiles

Other Lists & Photo Galleries of Dragonflies & Damselflies Elsewhere

Directory of Photos in the FONT Website

Dragonflies:
 

1. Gray Petaltail  ______  (D:1) (P:165)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare)  PA
   Tachopteryx thoreyi
   
   The Gray Petaltail occurs quite locally at hillside seeps. 
   
   It is classified as endangered in New Jersey. It was known in Cecil County, Maryland in 1938, and it has never (yet) been observed in Delaware. 
   
   
   Darners
   
   
   The following genus ANAX are the GREEN DARNERS:
   
    
2. Common Green Darner ______ (D:1) (P:205)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
   Anax junius
   
   The Common Green Darner is the most widespread and most frequently seen large dragonfly in the United States. 
   
   Along the East Coast of the US and elsewhere, the Common Green Darner is a migrant that during the late-summer and fall can occur either in dense aggregations, in tens of thousands, or as thinly spread individuals moving over a broad front, streaming southward, often with several species of skimmers. This migration may be said to be one of the spectacles of nature. 
   The dragonflies head toward some "unknown destination".  A site has not yet been discovered in tropics comparable to that of Monarch butterflies and various species of birds.
   Recent late-fall observations suggest that the Green Darners may be congregating in the lowlands of Vera Cruz in Mexico. Dragonflies in eastern North America have, in recent years, been tracked with miniature radio transmitters in an attempt to learn where they go.   
   
     
   
   Common Green Darners, a male & a female 
   (photo by Marie Gardner) 
   
   
3. Comet Darner  ______  (D:1) (P:204)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA  VA
   Anax longipes
   
   
4. Amazon Darner  ______  (P:203)  FL
   Anax amazili
   
   
   The following genus CORYPHAESCHNA are the PILOT DARNERS:
   
   
5. Regal Darner  ______  (D:2) (P:184)  NC(rare)  VA(rare)
   Coryphaeschna ingens
   
   The only documented record of a Regal Darner on the Delmarva Peninsula was at Fisherman Island, Virginia, on July 26, 2003.   
   
   
6. Mangrove Darner  ______  (D:2) (P:183)  FL
   Coryphaeschna viriditas
   
   
7. Blue-faced Darner  ______  (D:2) (P:182)  FL
   Coryphaeschna adnexa
   
   
   The following genus TRIACANTHAGYNA are the THREE-SPINED DARNERS: 
   
   
8. Phantom Darner  ______  (D:2) (P:180)  FL  NC(very rare) 
   Triacanthagyna trifida
   
   
9. Pale-green Darner  ______  (P:179)  FL
   Triacanthagyna septima
   
   
   The following monotypic genus EPIAESCHNA is the SWAMP DARNER:
   
   
10. Swamp Darner ______ (D:2) (P:173)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
    Epiaeschna heros
    
    
    
    A Swamp Darner, photographed in Harford County, Maryland in May 2014
    (photo by Pat Thompson)
    
    
    The following monotypic genus NASIAESCHNA is the CYRANO DARNER:
    
    
11. Cyrano Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:174)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Nasiaeschna pentacantha
    
    
    The following genus GOMPHAESCHNA are the PYGMY DARNERS:
    
    
12. Harlequin Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:168)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
    Gomphaeschna furcillata
    
    Harlequin Darners can be abundant in April on the Delmarva Peninsula in the Cypress Swamp and the Pocomoke River drainage.  
    
    
13. Taper-tailed Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:169)  DE(south,rare)  MD(rare)  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
    Gomphaeschna antilope
    
    
    The following genus GYNACANTHA are the TWO-SPINED DARNERS:
    
    
14. Twilight Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:177)  FL
    Gynacantha nervosa
    
    
    The following genus BOYERIA are the SPOTTED DARNERS:
    
    
15. Ocellated Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:171)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare)  PA
    Boyeria grafiana
    
    
16. Fawn Darner  ______  (D:3) (P:170)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
    Boyeria vinosa
    
    
    The following genus BASIAESCHNA is the SPRINGTIME DARNER: 
    
    
17. Springtime Darner  ______  (D:4) (P:176)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Basiaeschna janata
    
    
    The following genus AESHNA are the MOSAIC DARNERS:
    
    Of the 13 AESHNA species known in New England, only 3 are known on the Delmarva Peninsula:
    2 of the 3 have been documented only once. Only the Shadow Darner is common, and it only in northern Delmarva.    
    
    
18. Shadow Darner  ______  (D:4) (P:199)  DE(north)  MD  NJ  NC  PA
    Aeshna umbrosa
    
    Among the darners of the northern Delmarva Peninsula, the Shadow Darner is fairly common.
    
    
19. Lance-tipped Darner  ______  (D:4) (P:198)  MD  NJ(rare)  PA
    Aeshna constricta
    
    Aeshna constricta favors marshy ponds.
    
    
20. Variable Darner  ______  (D:5) (P:193)  NJ
    Aeshna interrupta
    
    
21. Black-tipped Darner  ______  (D:5) (P:186)  DE(north,very rare)  MD(rare)  NC(very rare)  NC  NJ(very rare)  PA
    Aeshna tuberculifera
    
    The only documented record of the Black-tipped Darner on the Delmarva Peninsula was in Delaware at Lums Pond in New Castle County in early October 1982 (the same place & date as the Green-striped Darner below).  
    
    
22. Sedge Darner  ______  (D:5) (P:187)
    Aeshna juncea
    
    
23. Subarctic Darner  ______  (D:5) (P:189)  NJ
    Aeshna subarctica
    
    
24. Canada Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:191)  MD(rare)  NJ(rare)  PA
    Aeshna canadensis
    
    
25. Green-striped Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:190)  DE(very rare)  MD(rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare, but common in nw NJ)   PA
    Aeshna verticalis
    
    A rare documented record of the Green-striped Darner on the Delmarva Peninsula was in Delaware at Lums Pond in New Castle County in early October 1982 (the same place & date as the Black-tipped Darner (above). 
    The Green-striped Darner is very rare in Delaware where it has been observed only twice in the last 40 years. Both times were at Lums Pond.   
    
    
26. Lake Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:192)
    Aeshna eremita
    
    
27. Zigzag Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:196)
    Aeshna sitchensis
    
    
28. Azure Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:197)
    Aeshna septentrionalis
    
    
29. Mottled Darner  ______  (D:6) (P:195)  NJ(rare)  PA
    Aeshna clepsydra
    
    
    The following genus RHIONAESCHNA are the NEOTROPICAL DARNERS:
    
    
30. Spatterdock Darner  ______  (D:5) (P:202)  MD  NJ(very rare)  PA
    Rhionaeschna mutata  (formerly Aeshna multicolor)
    
    Rhionaeschna mutata prefers fishless ponds with spatterdock. The dragonfly lays its eggs on the stems of spatterdock flowers.
    
    Clubtails
    
    
    The following monotypic genus HAGENIUS is the DRAGONHUNTER:
    
    
31. Dragonhunter  ______  (D:6) (P:292)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Hagenius brevistylus
    
    In eastern North America, from Canada to southern Texas, there is no other dragonfly like the Dragonhunter. It is a top predator in the dragonfly food chain.
    
    Typically, the Dragonhunter perches on a dead stick with good visibility along a stream bank and waits for food to fly by. It eats large insects such as butterflies and other species of dragonflies. 
    
    On the Delmarva Peninsula, it is not common, but it is known along most of the larger streams, including the Pocomoke River in the south to the Big Elk and White Clay Creeks in the north.
    
    
    The following genus GOMPHUS are the COMMON CLUBTAILS:
    
    
32. Clearlake Clubtail  ______  (D:7) (P:239)  NC(very rare)
    Gomphus australis
    
    
33. Diminutive Clubtail  ______  (D:7) (P:236)  NC(rare)
    Gomphus diminutus
    
    
34. Rapids Clubtail  ______  (D:7) (P:227)  MD(rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus quadricolor
    
    The Rapids Clubtail has been found in Howard County, Maryland.
    
    
35. Harpoon Clubtail  ______  (D:7) (P:229)  MD(rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus descriptus
    
    The Harpoon Clubtail is classified as threatened in New Jersey. 
    
    
36. Beaverpond Clubtail  ______  (D:7) (P:228)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus borealis
    
    
37. Ashy Clubtail  ______  (D:8) (P:231)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Gomphus lividus
    
    
38. Dusky Clubtail  ______  (D:8) (P:232)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus spicatus
    
    
39. Lancet Clubtail ______ (D:8) (P:224)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Gomphus exilis
    
    
40. Cypress Clubtail  ______  (D:8) (P:233)  FL
    Gomphus minutus
    
    
41. Sandhill Clubtail   ______  (D:8) (P:234,235)  FL  NC(very rare)
    Gomphus cavillaris
    
    
42. Moustached Clubtail  ______  (D:9) (P:245)  MD(very rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus adelphus
    
    
43. Green-faced Clubtail  ______  (D:9)  (P:243)  MD(very rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus viridifrons 
    
    
44. Piedmont Clubtail ______ (D:9) (P:247)  MD  NC(rare)
    Gomphus parvidens
    
    
45. Spine-crowned Clubtail  (ph)  ______ (D:9) (P:246)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus abbreviatus
    
    
    
    Spine-crowned Clubtail
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
46. Banner Clubtail  ______  (D:9) (P:250)   DE(rare,south)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,south)  (species described in 1966, but see note below)
    Gomphus apomyius
    
    The Banner Clubtail is classified as threatened in New Jersey.
    
    In the mid-1950s, a new clubtail species was discovered in the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, but it was not described formally due to procrastination. What turned out to the same species, Gomphus apomyius, was described in the 1960s in eastern Texas.
    
    The Banner Clubtail gets its common name from the bright yellow spot near the widened end of its stubby abdomen, which it holds high as it flies and hovers over riffles. Its flight season is brief and early, peaking in mid-May.  
    
    
47. Cherokee Clubtail  ______  (D:9) (P:264,265)  NC(very rare)
    Gomphus consangius
    
    
48. Sable Clubtail  ______  (D:9) (P:266)  DE(rare)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphis rogersi
    
    Before 2007, the Blackbird Creek in northern Delaware was the only known place on the Delmarva Peninsula for the Sable Clubtail.
    In 2007, a new site was discovered not far away, by the Unicorn Creek near Millington, Maryland.
    In 2008, another site was found in Sussex County in southern Delaware. 
    
    
49. Skillet Clubtail  ______  (D:10) (P:263)  MD  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus ventricosus
    
    
50. Cobra Clubtail  ______  (D:10) (P:258)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Gomphus vastus
    
    In Maryland, the Cobra Clubtail is known to occur along the lower Susquehanna River.
    
    
51. Blackwater Clubtail  ______  (D:10) (P:261)  FL  NC(rare)
    Gomphus dilatatus
    
    
52. Splendid Clubtail  ______  (D:10) (P:262)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  PA
    Gomphus lineatifrons  
    
    
53. Midland Clubtail  ______  (D:10) (P:251)  DE(rare,south)  MD(rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(north)  PA
    Gomphus fraternus
    
    It was a total surprise in mid-May 2002 when an unusual clubtail was caught during a survey of the Nanticoke watershed in southern Delaware. Nothing like it was known from the coastal plain, or anywhere nearby.
    Two years later, in that same region, a thriving population of the same dragonfly, the Midland Clubtail, was found. That was also in mid-May, a time of year when few other species of dragonflies are around.
    
    The Midland Clubtail is also known from by the Potomac River in Maryland, near Washington DC.  
    
    
54. Septima's Clubtail  ______  (D:11) (P:254)  NC(very rare)  NJ(very rare)  (species described in 1956)
    Gomphus septima
    
    
55. Westfall's Clubtail  ______  (P:237)  FL
    Gomphus westfalli
    
    
56. Hodge's Clubtail  ______  (P:238)  FL
    Gomphus hodgesi
    
    
57. Two-striped Clubtail  ______  (P:248)  FL
    Gomphus geminatus
    
    
58. Cocoa Clubtail  ______  (P:256)  NC(rare)
    Gomphus hybridus
    
    
    The following genus STYLURUS are the HANGING CLUBTAILS:
    
    
59. Zebra Clubtail  ______  (D:12) (P:279,280)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Stylurus scudderi
    
    
60. Arrow Clubtail  ______  (D:12) (P:283)  DE(north)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA  VA
    Stylurus spiniceps
    
    
61. Russet-tipped Clubtail  ______  (D:12) (P:282)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(very rare)
    Stylurus plagiatus
    
    
62. Shining Clubtail  ______  (D:12) (P:276)  NC(rare)
    Stylurus ivae
    
    
63. Laura's Clubtail  ______  (D:13) (P:275)  DE(central)  MD  NC
    Stylurus laurae
    
    
64. Riverine Clubtail  ______  (D:13) (P:273,274)  MD  NC(rare)  PA
    Stylurus amnicola
    
    
65. Townes' Clubtail  ______  (D:13)  NC(very rare)
    Stylurus townesi
    
    
66. Elusive Clubtail  ______  (D:13) (P:281)   PA
    Stylurus notatus
    
    
    The following genus DROMOGOMPHUS are the SPINYLEGS:
    
    
67. Black-shouldered Spinyleg  ______  (D:13) (P:288)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Dromogomphus spinosus
    
    
68. Southeastern Spinyleg  ______  (D:13) (P:290,291)  FL  NC(rare)
    Dromogomphus armatus
    
    
    The following genus ARIGOMPHUS are the POND CLUBTAILS:
    
    
69. Lilypad Clubtail  ______  (D:14) (P:215)   NJ(very rare)  PA
    Arigomphus furcifer
    
    
70. Unicorn Clubtail  (ph)  ______  (D:14) (P:216)  DE  MD  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
    Arigomphus villosipes
    
    
    
    Unicorn Clubtail
    (photo by Marie Gardner)
    
    
71. Gray-green Clubtail  ______  (D:14) (P:221)  FL  NC(very rare)
    Arigomphus pallidus 
    
    
72. Horned Clubtail  ______  (P:214)
    Arigomphus cornutus 
    
    
    In the following genus STYLOGOMPHUS, mostly Asian, the LEAST CLUBTAIL:   
    
    
73. Eastern Least Clubtail  ______  (D:15) (P:311)  DE(north)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
    Stylogomphus albistylus
    
    
    The following genus LANTHUS are the PYGMY CLUBTAILS:  
    
    
74. Northern Pygmy Clubtail  ______  (D:15) (P:314)  MD(rare)  PA
    Lanthus parvulus
    
    
75. Southern Pygmy Clubtail  ______  (D:15) (P:315)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
    Lanthus vernalis  
    
    
    The following genus PROGOMPHUS are the SANDDRAGONS: 
    
    
76. Common Sanddragon  ______  (D:15) (P:208)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(south)  PA
    Progomphus obscurus
    
    
77. Tawny Sanddragon  ______  (D:15) (P:209)  FL
    Progomphus alachuensis
    
    
78. Belle's Sanddragon  ______  (P:210)  FL  NC(rare)
    Progomphus bellei
    
    
    The following genus OPHIOGOMPHUS are the SNAKETAILS:
    
    
79. Boreal Snaketail  ______  (D:16) (P:295)
    Ophiogomphus colubrinus
    
    
80. Extra-striped Snaketail  ______  (D:16) (P:308)  NJ(historic,north)
    Ophiogomphus anomalus
    
    
81. Pygmy Snaketail  ______  (D:16) (P:309)  NC(very rare,west)  PA
    Ophiogomphus howei
    
    
82. Rusty Snaketail  ______  (D:17) (P:304)  MD(rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis
    
    The Rusty Snaketail has been found in Howard County, Maryland.
    
    
83. Appalachian Snaketail  ______  (D:17) (P:298)  DE(very rare)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  PA(very rare)  (species described in 1982)
    Ophiogomphus incurvatus 
    
    Prior to being described, this dragonfly was seemingly found in northern Delaware in 1973, along the White Clay Creek.
    The Appalachian Snaketail was first found in Pennsylvania in 2003, in York County.   
    
    
84. Edmund's Snaketail  ______  (D:17) (P:297)  NC(very rare,west)  PA  (species described in 1951)
    Ophiogomphus edmundo
    
    
85. Maine Snaketail  ______  (D:17) (P:302)  MD(very rare)  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
    Ophiogomphus mainensis
    
    
86. Rifle Snaketail  ______  (D:17) (P:296)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
    Ophiogomphus carolus
    
    
87. Brook Snaketail  ______  (D:18) (P:300)  NC(very rare,west)  NJ(very rare,north) 
    Ophiogomphus aspersus
    
    The Brook Snaketail is classified as threatened in New Jersey. 
    
    
88. Chesapeake Snaketail  ______  MD(very rare)
    Ophiogomphus sp.
    
    
    The following genus ERPETOGOMPHUS are the RINGTAILS:
    
    
89. Eastern Ringtail  ______  (D:18) (P:293)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)
    Erpetogomphus designatus
    
    
    The following genus APHYLLA are the FORCEPTAILS:
    
    
90. Two-striped Forcetail  ______  (D:19) (P:213)  NC(rare,east)
    Aphylla williamsoni
    
    
    Spiketails
    
    
91. Tiger Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:317)  DE  MD  NC(rare)  NJ(rare)  PA
    Cordulegaster erronea
    
    
92. Say's Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:321)  FL(north)
    Cordulegaster sayi
    
    
93. Twin-spotted Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:318)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Cordulegaster maculata
    
    
94. Delta-spotted Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:322)  DE  MD  NJ  PA  VA
    Cordulegaster diastatops
    
    
95. Brown Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:323)  DE  MD  NC(rare)  (species described in 1983)
    Cordulegaster bilineata
    
    
96. Arrowhead Spiketail  ______  (D:20) (P:319,320)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(rare,north)
    Cordulegaster obliqua
    
    SUBSPECIES:
    Cordulegaster obliqua fasciata  ______  MD(very rare) 
    
    The Arrowhead Spiketail has never been reported in Delaware, even though it has been seen in Caroline County, Maryland, less than one mile from the Delaware state line.
    Generally where the species occurs, in the eastern US, it is usually seen in May or June.
    
    
    Cruisers
    
    
    The following genus DIDYMOPS are the BROWN CRUISERS;
    
    
97. Stream Cruiser  ______  (D:21) (P:326)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
    Didymops transversa
    
    
98. Florida Cruiser  ______  (D:21) (P:327)   FL
    Didymops floridensis 
    
    
    The following genus MACROMIA are the RIVER CRUISERS:
    
    
99. "Illinois" Swift River Cruiser  ______  (D:21) (P:328)  DE(north)  MD(north)  NC  NJ(north)  PA
    Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis 
    
    
100. "Georgia" Swift River Cruiser  ______ (D:21) (P:329)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(south)
     Macromia illinoiensis georgina
     
     
101. Allegheny River Cruiser  ______  (D:21) (P:330)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,south)  PA
     Macromia alleghaniensis
     
     Macromia alleghaniensis occurs along coastal plain streams in southern New Jersey. 
     
     
102. Royal River Cruiser  ______  (D:21) (P:334,335)  DE  MD  NC  VA
     Macromia taeniolata
     
     
103. Mountain River Cruiser  ______  (P:331)  NC(rare)
     Macromia margarita
     
     
     Emeralds
     
     
     The following genus CORDULIA are the COMMON EMERALDS:
     
     
104. American Emerald  ______  (D:22) (P:339)  MD  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Cordulia shurtleffil
     
     
     The following genus DOROCORDULIA are the LITTLE EMERALDS:
     
     
105. Racket-tailed Emerald  ______  (D:22) (P:341)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Dorocordulia libera
     
     
106. Petite Emerald  ______  (D:22) (P:340)  MD  NJ  PA
     Dorocordulia lepida
     
     The Petite Emerald is well known in southern New Jersey, but it has not yet been found in Delaware, or anywhere on the Delmarva Peninsula.
     
     
     The following genus WILLIAMSONIA are the BOGHAUNTERS:
     
     
107. Ringed Boghaunter  ______  (D:22) (P:337,338)  NJ(historic,north)
     Williamsonia lintneri
     
     
108. Ebony Boghaunter  ______  (D:22) (P:336,337)
     Williamsonia fletcheri  
     
     
     The following genus HELOCORDULIA are the SUNDRAGONS:
     
     
109. Sely's Sundragon  ______  (D:22) (P:343)  DE(rare)  MD(rare)  NC  (another name is Sely's Sunfly) 
     Helocordulia selysii
     
     Helocordulia selysii is classified as threatened in Maryland.
     
     A single Sely's Sundragon was collected along the Choptank River in Kent County, Delaware in April 1937. That was the only record of the species on the Delmarva Peninsula until almost 70 years later in May 2006, when it was found by a tributary of the Nanticoke River in Sussex County, Delaware. 
     In 2010, it was found along the Marshyhope Creek south of Smithville, Maryland.
     
     The male Sely's Sundragon flies a regular beat along stream edges about a foot above the water. Those familiar with the species in North Carolina, claim that it rarely flies when the temperature is over 70 degrees F. 
     On the Delmarva Peninsula, it is said to have an early and short flight season that ends in mid-May.
     
     
110. Uhler's Sundragon  ______  (D:22) (P:344)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
     Helocordulia uhleri
     
     Helocordulia uhleri occurs along clean flowing Piedmont stream in Maryland, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania. 
     
     
     The following genus EPITHECA are the BASKETTAILS:
     
     
111. Common Baskettail ______ (D:23) (P:385)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Epitheca (or Tetragoneuria) cynosura
     
     
112. Prince Baskettail ______ (D:23) (P:397)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Epitheca (or Epicordulia) princeps
     
     
113. Mantled Baskettail  ______  (D:23) (P:386,387)  DE(very rare)  MD  NC  NJ(south)
     Epitheca (or Tetragoneuria) semiaquea
     
     In Cumberland County, in southern New Jersey, the Mantled Baskettail is considered a common species, having been found at 17 of 24 survey sites. 
     However, across the Delaware Bay, on the Delmarva Peninsula, there have only been 1 or 2 unconfirmed records of the species. That scarcity is probably due to the lack of bogs and cedar swamps. 
     The Mantled Baskettail is well known south of the Delmarva Peninsula. 
     
     The small Mantled Baskettail has an early flight season that is mostly done by the first week of June.       
     
     
114. Slender (or Stripe-winged) Baskettail  ______  (D:23) (P:388,389)  DE  MD(very rare)  NC  NJ(rare,south)
     Epitheca costalis
     
     
115. Spiny Baskettail  ______  (P:393)  NJ(historic,north)  PA
     Epitheca spinigera
     
     
116. Beaverpond Baskettail  ______  (P:394)  MD  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Epitheca canis
     
     
117. Robust Baskettail  ______  (P:396)  DE(south)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare)
     Epitheca (or Tetragoneuria) spinosa
     
     The Robust Baskettail is in cypress stands in late April & early May. 
     
     A "healthy" population of Robust Basketails was discovered in April 2010 at the Idylwild Wildlife Management Area in Caroline County, Maryland.   
     
     The species is classified as threatened in New Jersey.
     
     
118. Florida Basketail  ______  (P:390)  FL
     Epitheca stella 
     
     
119. Sepia Basketail  ______  (P:391,392)  FL
     Epitheca sepia
     
     
     The following genus SOMATOCHLORA are the STRIPED EMERALDS:
     
     
120. Ringed Emerald  ______  (D:23) (P:346)
     Somatochlora albicincta
     
     
121. Lake Emerald  ______  (D:24) (P:349)
     Somatochlora cingulata
     
     
122. Mocha Emerald  ______  (D:24) (P:363)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Somatochlora linearis
     
     
123. Fine-lined Emerald  ______  (D:24) (P:365)  DE  MD(rare)  NC  NJ(rare,south)
     Somatochlora filosa
     
     
124. Treetop Emerald  ______  (D:24) (P:368)  DE(south)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(rare,south)  (was conspecific with the Texas Emerald)
     Somatochlora provocans  
     
     
125. Clamp-tipped Emerald  ______  (D:24) (P:371)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Somatochlora tenebrosa
     
     
126. Williamson's Emerald  ______  (D:25) (P:358)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Somatochlora williamsoni
     
     
127. Ski-tipped Emerald  ______  (D:25) (P:357)  MD(rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA  (was called Ski-tailed Emerald)
     Somatochlora elongata
     
     
128. Ocellated Emerald  ______  (D:25) (P:359)
     Somatochlora minor 
     
     
129. Brush-tipped Emerald  ______  (D:25) (P:361)  MD(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Somatochlora walshii
     
     
130. Forcipate Emerald  ______  (D:26) (P:353)  NJ(north)  PA
     Somatochlora forcipata
     
     
131. Incurvate Emerald  ______  (D:26) (P:354)  PA
     Somatochlora incurvata
     
     
132. Kennedy's Emerald  ______  (D:26) (P:356)  NJ(rare,north)
     Somatochlora kennedyi
     
     The Kennedy's Emerald is classified as threatened in New Jersey.
     
     
133. Delicate Emerald  ______  (D:26) (P:355)
     Somatochlora franklini
     
     
134. Coppery Emerald  ______  (D:26) (P:364)  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ(very rare,south)  VA(very rare)
     Somatochlora geogiana
     
     Prior to the 1970s, the Coppery Emerald was known to occur only in the southeastern US. Subsequently, several populations have been found in eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
     Isolated specimens have also been found in New Jersey and Virginia,
     
     In June 2010, a recently-emerged Coppery Emerald was found in the flood plain of the Marshyhope Creek, in the Idylwild Wildlife Management Area in Caroline County, Maryland. It was the first record of the species on the Delmarva Peninsula.
     Later that year, ovipositing Coppery Emeralds were discovered in flood plain swamps of the Pocomoke watershed in two other counties of eastern Maryland.      
     
     The Coppery Emerald does not look like its emerald relatives. It is smaller than all of them. It is copper brown rather than black or dark brown. It lacks emerald green eyes. In fact, it does not look like an emerald at all.
     It is about the size of a basketail, but more slender.  
     
     
135. Quebec Emerald  ______  (P:348)
     Somatochlora brevicincta
     
     
136. Whitehouse's Emerald  ______  (P:350)
     Somatochlora whitehousei
     
     
137. Muskeg Emerald  ______  (P:352)
     Somatochlora septentrionalis
     
     
138. Calvert's Emerald  ______  (P:366,367)  FL
     Somatochlora calverti
     
     
     The following genus NEUROCORDULIA are the SHADOWDRAGONS:
     
     
139. Alabama Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:380)  NC
     Neurocordulia alabamensis
     
     
140. Cinnamon Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:381)  NC(rare)
     Neurocordulia virginiensis
     
     
141. Smoky Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:382)  NC(rare,east)
     Neurocordulia molesta
     
     
142. Umber Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:378)  DE(very rare,south)  MD  NC  NJ(very rare)  PA
     Neurocordulia obsoleta
     
     The Umber Shadowdragon flies ghost-like at twilight, low over the water of a stream.
     Sometimes one may encounter the remains of its larval skin clinging to a bridge abutment.
     Delaware's only record is from such an occurrence at the bridge at Collins Pond in Sussex County.
     
     In May 2006, about 20 exuviae (the tem for shedded larval skins) were found, clinging to a bridge abutment along the Choptank River in Caroline County, Maryland.
     
     But as for seeing the dragonfly itself, the Umber Shadowdragon can be as elusive as a Cougar. 
     
     Compared to day-flying dragonflies, adult Umber Shadowdragons have particularly large eyes for seeing in dim light.
     The species is overall brown, lacking bright colors or a striking pattern. Since, therefore, it is so hard to observe, the distribution of the Umber Shadowdragon is not as well known as it could be.          
     
     
143. Stygian Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:377)  DE(south)  MD  NC(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Neurocordulia yamaskanensis
     
     
144. Broad-tailed Shadowdragon  ______  (D:27) (P:379)
     Neurocordulia michaeli 
     
     
     Skimmers 
     
     
     The following genus PLATHEMIS are the WHITETAILS:
     
     
145. Common Whitetail  (ph)  ______ (D:28) (P:400)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Plathemis lydia
     
     
     
     Above & below: Common Whitetails
     Above, a male. Below, a female.
     (upper photo by Howard Eskin, lower photo by Marie Gardner) 
     
     
     
     
     And below, an immature.
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
     
     The following genus LADONA are the CORPORALS:
     
     
146. Blue Corporal  ______  (D:30) (P:402)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA
     Ladona (formerly Libellula) deplanota
     (formerly Libellula) deplanota
     
     
147. White Corporal  ______  (D:30) (P:403)  MD(very rare)  NJ
     Ladona (formerly Libellula) exusta
     
     Ladona exusta is classified as endangered in Maryland. In New Jersey, it is common in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey where it occurs at many shallow, well-vegetated ponds.
     There have been no reliable sightings of the White Corporal in Delaware. 
     
     
148. Chalk-fronted Corporal  ______  (D:29) (P:405)  MD  NJ  PA
     Ladona (formerly Libellula) julia (formerly Libellula) julia
     
     
     The following genus LIBELLULA are the KING SKIMMERS:
     
     
149. Widow Skimmer  (ph)  ______  (D:28) (P:411)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Libellula luctuosa
     
     
     
     A male Widow Skimmer
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
150. Twelve-spotted Skimmer  (ph)  ______  (D:29) (P:409)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Libellula pulchella
     
     The Twelve-spotted Skimmer has also been called the "Ten Spot" for the number of white spots in the wings of the male, rather than the number of brown spots.
     
     
     
     Twelve-spotted Skimmer
     (photo by Kate Somerville) 
      
     
151. Painted Skimmer ______ (D:29) (P:408)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Libellula semifasciata
     
     
152. Four-spotted Skimmer  ______  (D:29) (P:407)  NJ(rare,north)  PA  (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
     Libellula quadrimaculata
     
     
153. Spangled Skimmer ______ (D:30) (P:413)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Libellula cyanea
     
     
154. Yellow-sided Skimmer  ______  (D:31) (P:412)  DE(north)  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Libellula flavida
     
     
155. Golden-winged Skimmer  ______  (D:31) (P:419)  MD  NC  NJ(south)  PA
     Libellula auripennis
     
     The Golden-winged Skimmer and the following species, the Needham's Skimmer, look much alike.
     The reliable characteristics to distinguish them are subtle, and difficult to see with binoculars or even in the hand.
     One difference is the color of the vein at the leading edge of each wing. 
     In the Golden-winged Skimmer, it is uniformly golden, while in the Needham's Skimmer it is slightly darker and brownish in the first half.
     Another difference is the shape of the light-colored area on the sides of the thorax. 
     In the Golden-winged Skimmer, it is diagonal and does not extend forward, while it is more horizontal in the Needham's Skimmer and extends further.
     
     In Massachusetts, on  Cape Cod, where both the Golden-winged Skimmer and Needham's Skimmer occur, the two species are said to nearly never be together. The Golden-winged Skimmer inhabits fresh water sandy-bottomed ponds, while the Needham's Skipper stays in or close to the salt marshes.
     
     The Needham's Skimmer occurs in coastal marshes from southern Maine to southern Texas, except in Florida where it can be found statewide.
     
     A bright red-orange dragonfly in central Pennsylvania or in the West Virginia mountains is likely to be a Golden-winged Skimmer.
     
     According to Hal White in the "Natural History of Delmarva Dragonflies & Damselflies", there is no verifiable record of the Golden-winged Skimmer on the Delmarva Peninsula, even though suitable habitat exits.  
     
     Prior to 1943, the Needham's Skimmer had not been distinguished from the closely-related Golden-winged Skimmer.
     
     
     
     Is it a Golden-winged Skimmer?  It was photographed at Brigantine Refuge in New Jersey.  
     Photos of the Needham's Skimmer follow below.
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
156. Needham's Skimmer  ______  (D:31) (P:422)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA  (species described in 1943, see note above)
     Libellula needhami
     
     
     
     Above & below: Needham's Skimmers
     Above a male; below a female
     (photos by Marie Gardner)
     
     
     
     Below: two additional photos of Needham's Skimmers.
     photographed in Delaware in July 2014
     (both photos by Marie Gardner)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
157. Purple Skimmer  ______  (D:31)  (P:420)  FL
     Libellula jesseana
     
     
158. Great Blue Skimmer ______ (D:32) (P:418)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Libellula vibrans
     
     
159. Slaty Skimmer ______ (D:33) (P:416)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Libellula incesta
     
     
160. Bar-winged Skimmer  ______  (D:33) (P:414,415)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA VA
     Libellula axilena
     
     
     The following genus ORTHEMIS are the TROPICAL KING SKIMMERS:
     
     
161. Roseate Skimmer  (ph)  ______  (D:33) (P:424)  NC(rare)  FL  VA(very rare)
     Orthemis ferruginea
     
     The first, and so far the only record of a Roseate Skimmer on the Delmarva Peninsula was at the southern tip of Fisherman Island, Virginia, at the southern tip of the peninsula. It was found while migrating Monarch butterflies were being banded, on October 15, 2005. That was the 2nd record for the Roseate Skimmer in Virginia.      
     
     Before 1930, the Roseate Skimmer was known as tropical dragonfly known in the Florida Keys. Now it is common along the Gulf Coast and is found in many southern US states from California to the Carolinas.
     Since 2000, there have been sightings in Richmond, Virginia, Washington DC, and near Baltimore, Maryland.  
     
     
     
     Roseate Skimmer
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
162. Antillean Skimmer  ______  (P:425)  FL
     Orthemis ferruginea
     
     
     The following genus CROCOTHEMIS are the SCARLET SKIMMERS:
     
     
163. Scarlet Skimmer  ______  (D:34) (P:458)  FL
     Crocothemis servilia
     
     
     The following genus SYMPETRUM are the MEADOWHAWKS:
     
     
164. Black Meadowhawk  ______  (D:34) (P:484)  NJ(very rare)
     Sympetrum danae
     
     There is only 1 record of the Black Meadowhawk in New Jersey, in Sussex County in 2002. 
     
     
165. Blue-faced Meadowhawk  ______  (D:34) (P:474,475)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare,south)  PA  VA
     Sympetrum ambiguum
     
     
166. Autumn Meadowhawk  ______  (D:35) (P:485,486)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Sympetrum vicinum
     
     Another name for Sympetrum vicinum is Yellow-legged Meadowhawk.
     
     Autumn Meadowhawks actually first appear in June. Found at that time are yellow-colored young adults.
     Otherwise, in the summer they seem to be scarce until they do become quite common in the early fall.
     In the fall, males flying in tandem with brownish-red females are particularly noticeable over shallow water as the females tap the water to lay their eggs.
     
     By the Thanksgiving holiday, in the northeastern US, most dragonflies are gone for the year. But, at that time, some Autumn Meadowhawks persist.
     On the Delmarva Peninsula, there have been reports of the Autumn Meadowhawk as late as December 8 in Salisbury, Maryland, and even later in southern New Jersey.
     Elsewhere, the species has been seen as late as December 5 in southern New Hampshire, and December 14 in northern Ohio.
     
     Years ago, at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, a professor of biology who was a dragonfly expert, kept notes in relation to 3-minute walks he would take between classes to a small pond on campus where, on occasion, he would see Autumn Meadowhawks. During 24 years, from 1898 to 1924, his latest date for the species was November 23, sometime after the first hard frost.           
     
     
167. Saffron-winged Meadowhawk  ______  (D:35) (P:480,481)  NJ(very rare)  PA
     Sympetrum costiferum
     
     There is only 1 record of the Saffron-winged Meadowhawk in New Jersey, in Hunterdon County in 1973.  
     
     
168. Band-winged Meadowhawk  ______  (D:36) (P:482)  DE(north)  MD  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
     Sympetrum semicinctum
     
     
169. Cherry-faced Meadowhawk  ______  (D:36) (P:478,479)  DE  MD  NJ  PA  (as a species described in 1943, was previously part of the Ruby Meadowhawk) 
     Sympetrum interum
     
     The Cherry-faced Meadowhawk & the following species, the Ruby Meadowhawk, are indistinguishable in binoculars.
     
     The Jane's Meadowhawk, that was described as a species in 1993 as Sympetrum janeae, has also been said to be an eastern form of the Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, but without a cherry-red face. This is this form that is mostly found in eastern North America.   
     
     
170. Ruby Meadowhawk  (ph)  ______  (D:36) (P:477)  DE  MD  NC(west)  NJ(rare)  PA
     Sympetrum rubicundulum 
     
     
     
     Above & below: Ruby Meadowhawks
     The upper photo is of a male. The lower photo, a female. 
     (both photos by Doris Potter)
     
     
     
     
     
171. White-faced Meadowhawk  ______  (D:36) (P:476)  MD  NC(very rare)  NJ(rare)  PA
     Sympetrum obtrusum
     
     Although the White-faced Meadowhawk has been known to occur rarely in New Jersey, it has not yet been found on the Delmarva Peninsula.
     
     
172. Variegated Meadowhawk  ______  (D:35) (P:472)  MD  NC(migrant)  NJ(vagrant)  PA
     Sympetreum corruptum
     
     The Variegated Meadowhawk, of western North America, has sporadically occurred along the Atlantic coast as far north as Nova Scotia.
     However, there have been no records of the Variegated Meadowhawk in New Jersey since 1994, and it has not ever been found on the Delmarva Peninsula.
     
     
     The following genus ERYTHRODIPLAX are the DRAGONLETS:
     
     
173. Little Blue Dragonlet  ______  (D:37) (P:466)  MD(very rare)  NC  NJ(very rare)
     Erythrodiplax minuscula
     
     In New Jersey, there is a single record of the Little Blue Dragonlet in September 2005, in Ocean County.
     
     
174. Seaside Dragonlet  ______  (D:37) (P:467,468)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA
     Erythrodiplax berenice
     
     
175. Band-winged Dragonlet  ______  (P:470)  FL
     Erythrodiplax umbrata
     
     
     In the following genus NANNOTHEMIS, the ELFIN SKIMMER:
     
     
176. Elfin Skimmer  ______  (D:38) (P:456)  DE  MD(very rare)  NC(rare)  NJ  PA
     Nannothemis bella
     
     The Elfin Skimmer is the smallest dragonfly in North America. 
     
     Nannothemis bella is classified as endangered in Maryland.
     
     
     The following genus PERITHEMIS are the AMBERWINGS:
     
     
177. Eastern Amberwing  ______  (D:38) (P:427)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Perithemis tenera
     
     
     The following genus ERYTHEMIS are the PONDHAWKS:
     
     
178. Eastern Pondhawk  (ph)  ______ (D:39) (P:464,465)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Erythemis simplicicollis
     
     
     
     Above & below:  Eastern Pondhawks
     Upper photo: a mostly-blue male; middle photo: a green female
     Lower photo: another male
     (upper photo by Marie Gardner; lower photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
179. Great Pondhawk  ______  (D:39) (P:462)  FL
     Erythemis vesiculosa
     
     
180. Pin-tailed Pondhawk  ______  (D:40) (P:461)  FL
     Erythemis plebeja
     
     
     The following monotypic genus PACHYDIPLAX is the BLUE DASHER:
     
     
181. Blue Dasher ______ (D:39) (P:492,493)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Pachydiplax longipennis
     
     
     
     Above & below: Blue Dashers
     (upper photo by Marie Gardner; lower photo by Rise Hill)
     
     
     
     
     
     The following genus MICRATHYRIA are the TROPICAL DASHERS:
     
     
182. Spot-tailed Dasher  ______  (P:488)  FL
     Micrathyria aequalis
     
     
183. Three-striped Dasher  ______  (P:491)  FL
     Micrathyia didyma
     
     
     The following genus THOLYMIS are the EVENING SKIMMERS:
     
     
184. Evening Skimmer  ______  (P:499)  FL
     Tholymis citrina 
     
     
     The following monotypic genus PANTALA are the RAINPOOL GLIDERS:
     
     
185. Wandering Glider  ______  (D:40) (P:513,514)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Pantala flavescens
     
     The Wandering Glider is the only worldwide species of dragonfly, known on every continent except Antarctica. This dragonfly has been found on ships a thousand miles at sea. 
     
     
186. Spot-winged Glider  ______  (D:40) (P:515)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Pantala hymenaea
     
     
     The following genus TRAMEA are the SADDLEBAGS:
     
     SABBLEBAGS can wander far from their emergence site.
     
     
187. Black Saddlebags  (ph)  ______  (D:40) (P:511)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Tramea lacerata 
     
     Black Saddlebags don't perch often, and when they do, not for long.
     
     At first glance, the two pairs of wings of the Black Saddlebags and other dragonflies appear flat. But they are not.
     Closer examination reveals that the main veins extending away from the thorax form alternating ridges and valleys on the wing surface with supporting cross struts between them. This gives the wing stiffness while remaining thin and light-weight, rather like a floppy sheet of paper making a stiff fan when it is folded into pleas.
     
     The Black Saddlewings, and other saddlewings, and their relatives the gliders, have very wide hind wings with a fine network of veins to support an added wing surface. The extra surface enables Black Saddlewings to glide on the wind and travel long distances. These dragonflies are commonly seen flying over fields far from water.       
     
     Black Saddlebags in New Jersey are often found in autumn swarms with Common Green Darners and gliders. 
     
     
     
     Above & below: 3 photos of Black Saddlebags
     In the top photo, the veins are visible.
     In the bottom photo, the saddlebags are obvious.
     In the middle photo, the dragonfly is in flight, 
     as this species usually is.   
     (photos by Marie Gardner)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
188. Carolina Saddlebags ______ (D:41) (P:510)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA  (species described by Linnaeus in 1763)
     Tramea carolina
     
     
189. Striped Saddlebags  ______  (D:41) (P:506)  DE(stray)  FL  MD(stray)  NC(stray)  NJ(very rare,south)
     Tramea calverti
     
     North of Florida, occurrences of Tramea calverti represent vagrants, perhaps associated with frontal passages. 
     
     The first record of a Striped Saddlebag on the Delmarva Peninsula was a female collected in Ocean City, Maryland on August 22, 1976.
     
     In 1992, Striped Saddlebags appeared in numbers at a number of coastal locations from Cape May, New Jersey north to Central Park in New York City. Subsequently, it has appeared as far north to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  
     The Striped Saddlebags has not been found in New Jersey since the years just after the eruption in the early 1990s. 
     
     In August 2010, a Striped Saddlebags found in Kent County, Delaware, was a new record for the state. 
     
     
190. Red Saddlebags  ______  (D:41) (P:508)  MD  NC(migrant)  NJ(vagrant)
     Tramea onusta
     
     The Red Saddlebags normally occurs west of the Mississippi River, but occasionally strays come to eastern North America.
     It has been found on the Delmarva Peninsula only once or twice. It has not been found in New Jersey in over 10 years.
     
     
191. Antillean Saddlebags  ______  (D:41) (P:504)  FL
     Tramea insularis
     
     
192. Sooty Saddlebags  ______  (D:41) (P:505)  FL
     Tramea binotata
     
     
193. Vermilion Saddlebags  ______  (D:41) (P:503)  FL
     Tramea abdominalis
     
     
     The following genus MIATHYRIA are the HYACINTH GLIDERS:
     
     
194. Hyacinth Glider  ______  (D:41) (P:501)  FL  VA(rare)
     Miathyria marcella
     
     The Hyacinth Glider has occurred as a tropical migrant along the Atlantic coast. It has been found in Virginia.  
     
     
     The following genus TAURIPHILA are the PASTURE GLIDERS:
     
     
195. Garnet Glider  ______  (D:42) (P:500)  FL
     Tauriphila australis
     
     
     The following genus MACRODIPLAX are the COASTAL PENNANTS:
     
     
196. Marl Pennant  ______  (D:42) (P:517)  NC(rare)  FL
     Macrodiplax balteata
     
     The Marl Pennant has occurred as a tropical migrant along the Atlantic coast. It has been found in North Carolina. 
     
     
     The following genus BRACHYMESIA are the TROPICAL PENNANTS:
     
     
197. Four-spotted Pennant  ______  (D:42) (P:431)  DE(central)  MD  NC  NJ(very rare,south)  FL  VA
     Brachymesia gravida
     
     The Four-spotted Pennant prefers coastal habitats that may be brackish. 
     
     The only known location for the Four-spotted Pennant in Delaware is in the Woodland Beach area. It is also known further south on the Delmarva Peninsula at sites near Ocean City, MD and the Assateague Island National Seashore. 
     
     
198. Tawny Pennant  ______  (D:42) (P:430)  FL
     Brachymesia herbida
     
     
199. Red-tailed Pennant  ______  (P:429)  FL
     Brachymesia furcata
     
     
     The following genus LEUCORRHINIA are the WHITEFACES:
     
     
200. Dot-tailed Whiteface  _______  (D:43) (P:447,448)  DE(very rare,north)  MD  NJ  PA
     Leucorrhinia intacta
     
     The only known record of the Dot-tailed Whiteface on the Delmarva Peninsula was back in 1972 in Delaware, in New Castle County, at a place where there was a wetland and now there is a complex of office buildings. 
     
     
201. Hudsonian Whiteface  ______  (D:43) (P:450,451)  MD(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Leucorrhinia hudsonica
     
     
202. Frosted Whiteface  ______  (D:43) (P:445)  NJ(rare)  PA
     Leucorrhinia frigida
     
     
203. Crimson-ringed Whiteface  ______  (D:43) (P:452)  MD(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Leucorrhinia glacialis
     
     
204. Belted Whiteface  ______  (D:43) (P:446)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA  (was called Red-waisted Whiteface)
     Leucorrhinia proxima
     
     
205. Canada Whiteface  ______  (P:449)
     Leucorrhinia patricia
     
     
     The following genus CELITHEMIS are the SMALL PENNANTS:
     
     Pennants, including those in CELITHEMIS, are so-named because they tend to perch at the ends of tall grasses or small twigs and wave in the wind like flags.  
     
     
206. Halloween Pennant  (ph)  ______  (D:44) (P:442)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Celithemis eponina
     
     The Halloween Pennant is a butterfly-like dragonfly. It is easily recognized by its motif of its wings, spotted and banded with black. In males, the yellow become pale red. 
     
     
     
     Above & below: Halloween Pennants
     Above a male, below a female.
     (photos by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
     
207. Banded Pennant ______ (D:44) (P:440,441)  DE(south)  MD  NC  NJ
     Celithemis fasciata 
     
     The Banded Pennant is fairly common in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and it occurs not far from the Delaware-Maryland border in Caroline County, Maryland. But it has not been found in Delaware since 1974. 
     
     
208. Calico Pennant  (ph)  ______ (D:44) (P:439)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Celithemis elisa
     
     
     
     Calico Pennant
     (photo by Doris Potter)
     
     
209. Double-ringed Pennant  ______  (D:44) (P:443)  DE  MD(rare)  NC  NJ(rare,south)
     Celithemis verna
     
     In New Jersey, the Double-ringed Pennant is mainly a Pine Barrens species. 
     
     
210. Martha's Pennant  ______  (D:45) (P:435)  DE(very rare)  MD(very rare)  NJ
     Celithemis martha
     
     Occurrences of the Martha's Pennant on the Delmarva Peninsula are among the southernmost for the species. One site has been in Blades in southern Delaware. The species has also been found in nearby Maryland.   
     
     
211. Red-veined Pennant  ______  (D:45) (P:438)  FL NC
     Celithemis bertha
     
     
212. Ornate Pennant  ______  (D:45) (P:436,437)  FL  MD  NC  NJ(historic)  (was called Faded Pennant)
     Celithemis ornata
     
     
213. Amanda's Pennant  ______  (D:45) (P:434)  FL  NC
     Celithemis amanda
     
     
     The following genus DYTHEMIS are the SETWINGS:
     
     
214. Swift Setwing  ______  (D:46) (P:496)  NC
     Dythemis nigrescens
     
     
     The following genus IDIATAPHE are the METALLIC PENNANTS:
     
     
215. Metallic Pennant  ______  (D:47) (P:433)  FL
     Idiataphe cubensis 
     
     
     
     Damselflies:
     
     Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but differ in that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest.
     Also, the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base.
     Damselflies are usually smaller than dragonflies and weaker fliers in comparison, and their eyes are separated. 
     
     
     Broad-winged Damsels:
     
     
     The following genus CALOPTERYX are the JEWELWINGS:
     
     
216. River Jewelwing  ______  (P:53)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Calopteryx aequabilis
     
     
217. Superb Jewelwing   ______  (P:50)  MD(very rare)  NC(west)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Calopteryx amata
     
     The Superb Jewelwing is classified as threatened in Maryland and New Jersey.
     
     
218. Sparkling Jewelwing  ______  (P:52)  DE  MD(rare)  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Calopteryx dimidata
     
     
219. Ebony Jewelwing  ______  (P:55)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Calopteryx maculata
     
     
220. Appalachian Jewelwing  _____  (P:51)  MD(rare)  NC  PA
     Calopteryx angustipennis
     
     
     The following genus HETAERINA are the RUBYSPOTS: 
     
     
221. American Rubyspot  ______  (P:56)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Hetaerina americana
     
     
222. Smoky Rubyspot  ______  (P:58)  MD  NC  PA
     Hetaerina titia
     
     
     Spreadwings
     
     
     The following genus ARCHILESTES are the STREAM SPREADWINGS:
     
     
223. Great Spreadwing  ______  (P:60)  DE(north)  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Archilestes grandis
     
     The Great Spreadwing is the largest species of damselfly in eastern North America.
     In 2014, in an article about odonates in Delaware, it was said "that it has not been seen in Delaware in many years".  
     
     
     The following genus LESTES are the POND SPREADWINGS: 
     
     
224. Southern Spreadwing  ______  (P:69)  DE  MD  NC  VA
     Lestes australis
     
     
225. Spotted Spreadwing  ______  (P:65)  DE(north)  MD  NJ(rare)  PA
     Lestes congener
     
     
226. Northern Spreadwing  ______  (P:68)  NJ(rare)  PA
     Lestes disjunctus
     
     
227. Emerald Spreadwing  ______  (P:74)  MD  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Lestes dryas
     
     
228. Amber-winged Spreadwing  ______  (P:78)  DE(north)  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Lestes eurinus
     
     
229. Sweetflag Spreadwing  ______  (P:71)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Lestes forcipatus 
     
     
230. Elegant Spreadwing  ______  (P:77)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Lestes inaequalis
     
     
231. Slender Spreadwing  ______  (P:73)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Lestes rectangularis
     
     
232. Antillean Spreadwing  ______  (P:62)  FL
     Lestes spumarius
     
     
233. Blue-striped Spreadwing  ______  (P:61)  FL
     Lestes tenuatus
     
     
234. Lyre-tipped Spreadwing  ______  (P:72)  MD  NJ(rare)  PA
     Lestes unguiculatus
     
     Lestes uniguiculatus occurs at well-vegetated ponds. Although it is known in southern New Jersey, it has not been found on the Delmarva Peninsula. 
     
     
235. Carolina Spreadwing  ______  (P:66)  FL  NC(east)
     Lestes vidua
     
     
236. Swamp Spreadwing  ______  (P:75)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Lestes vigilax 
     
     
     Pond Damsels
     
     
     The following genus AMPHIAGRION are the RED DAMSELS:
     
     
237. Eastern Red Damsel  ______  (P:136)  DE  MD  NJ  PA
     Amphiagrion saucium
     
     
238. Amphiagrion hastatum  ______  PA
     
     
     In the monotypic genus CHROMAGRION is the AURORA DAMSEL:    
     
     
239. Aurora Damsel  ______  (P:137)  DE  MD  NJ  PA
     Chromagrion conditum
     
     
     The following genus COENAGRION are the EURASIAN BLUETS:
     
     
240. Subarctic Bluet  ______  (P:83)
     Coenagrion interrogatum
     
     
241. Taiga Bluet  ______  (P:84)  PA
     Coenagrion resolutum
      
     
     The following genus ENALLAGMA are the AMERICAN BLUETS:
     
     
242. Northern Bluet  ______  (P:95,96)  MD(very rare)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma annexum
     
     
243. Rainbow Bluet  ______  (P:109)  MD(very rare)  PA
     Enallagma antennatum 
     
     
244. Azure Bluet  ______  (P:92)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Enallagma aspersum
     
     
245. Double-striped Bluet  ______  (P:113)  DE  MD  NC  NJ(rare)  PA
     Enallagma basidens
     
     
246. Boreal Bluet  ______  (P:99)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma boreale
     
     
247. Purple Bluet  ______  (P:105)
     Enallagma cardenium
     
     
248. Tule Bluet  ______  (P:90)  MD(very rare)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma carunculatum
     
     
249. Familiar Bluet  ______  (P:88)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Enallagma civile
     
     
250. Alkali Bluet  ______  (P:94)
     Enallagma clausum
     
     
251. Cherry Bluet  ______  (P:114)  NC
     Enallagma concisum
     
     
252. Attenuated Bluet  ______  (P:108)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA
     Enallagma daeckii
     
     In New Jersey, the Attenuated Bluet is mostly in the Pine Barrens.
     
     
253. Sandhill Bluet  ______  (P:102)  NC(south)
     Enallagma davisi
     
     
254. Turquoise Bluet  ______  (P:110)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Enallagma divagans
     
     
255. Atlantic Bluet  ______  (P:87)  MD(very rare)  NC  NJ
     Enallagma doubledayi
     
     Until 2007, there were no records of the Atlantic Bluet anywhere on the Delmarva Peninsula. In July 2007, the species was discovered for the first time there in Wicomico County, Maryland.
     Yet, oddly just across the Delaware Bay from the Delmarva Peninsula in Cumberland County, New Jersey, the Atlantic Bluet is described as locally abundant. In nearby Cape May County, NJ it is considered common, and flies from mid-May to mid-October.
     
     
256. Burgundy Bluet  ______  (P:115)  DE(south)  MD(very rare)  NC
     Enallagma dubium
     
     
257. Big Bluet  ______  (P:93)  DE  MD  NC(east)  NJ(rare)
     Enallagma durum
     
     
258. Marsh Bluet  ______  (P:103)  MD  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma ebrium
     
     
259. Stream Bluet  (ph)  ______  (P:106)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Enallagma exsulans
     
     
     
     Stream Bluets
     (photo by Kate Somerville)
     
     
260. Skimming Bluet  ______  (P:91)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Enallagma geminatum
     
     
261. Hagen's Bluet  ______  (P:104)  MD  NC(west)  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma hageni
     
     
262. New England Bluet  ______  (P:100)  NJ(very rare,north)  PA
     Enallagma laterale
     
     
263. Little Bluet  ______  (P:102)
     Enallagma minusculum 
     
     
264. Pale Bluet  ______  (P:111)  DE(south)  MD(very rare)  NC
     Enallagma pallidum 
     
     
265. Scarlet  Bluet  ______  (P:115)  NJ(rare)
     Enallagma pictum
     
     The Scarlet Bluet is locally common in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, but it is not known south of there. Its range is from southern New Hampshire to southern New Jersey.
     It has never been found on the Delmarva Peninsula.
     In the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Scarlet Bluet is found at sandy-bottom ponds throughout the summer.
     
     Despite being brightly colored, the Scarlet Bluet can be overlooked due to its small size.       
     
     
266. Florida Bluet  ______  (P:118)
     Enallagma pollutum
     
     
267. Pine Barrens Bluet  ______  (P:101)  NJ (rare)
     Enallagma recurvatum
     
     The Pine Barrens Bluet is an early-season species at unpolluted ponds & bogs in sand barrens of New Jersey & Long Island, New York.    
     
     
268. Orange Bluet  ______  (P:117)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Enallagma signatum
     
     
269. Golden Bluet  ______  (P:120)
     Enallgma sulcatum
     
     
270. Slender Bluet  ______  (P:112)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Enallagma traviatum
     
     
271. Vernal Bluet  ______  (P:98)
     Enallagma vernale
     
     
272. Vesper Bluet  ______  (P:119)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Enallagma vesperum
     
     
273. Blackwater Bluet  ______  (P:107)  DE(south)  MD(rare)  NC  NJ
     Enallagma weewa
     
     In New Jersey, the Blackwater Bluet is found along small rivers & streams in the Pine Barrens. 
     
     
     The following genus NEOERYTHROMMA are the YELLOWFACES:
     
     
274. Caribbean Yellowface  ______  (P:126)
     Neoerythromma cultellatum 
     
     
     The following genus ISCHNURA are the FORKTAILS:
     
     
275. Citrine Forktail  ______  (P:134)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Ischnura hastata
     
     
276. Lilypad Forktail  ______  (P:128)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA
     Ischnura kellicotti 
     
     Female Lilypad Forktails occur in three quite different color forms.
     One has bright blue markings and looks similar to the male.
     Another has bright, porcelain orange markings.
     And a third type develops a pruinosity that gives it a gray color, which some think comes with aging of the other two forms.
     All of these different forms occur together.
     The males that carry genes for these color forms are all bright blue. They look rather like bluets, and might be confused with the Skimming Bluet (above).   
     
     
277. Eastern Forktail  (ph)   ______  (P:131)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Ischnura verticalis
     
     
     
     Eastern Forktail
     (photo by Kate Somerville)
     
     
278. Fragile Forktail ______  (P:133)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Ischnura posita
     
     
279. Furtive Forktail  ______  (P:129)  MD(very rare)  NC  VA
     Ischnura prognata
     
     There are isolated records of the Furtive Forktail, in June and July, in the Virginia and Maryland portions of the Delmarva Peninsula, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, southwestern Connecticut, and southeastern Pennsylvania. 
     While these occurrences may represent vagrancy, the weak-flying secretive nature of the Furtive Forktail suggests that it may be an elusive resident. It is furtive.
     
     In the summer of 2007, the Furtive Forktail was discovered in three different counties on the Maryland eastern shore. These were the first records for Maryland. The species has yet to be found in Delaware. 
     
     
280. Rambur's Forktail  ______  (P:130)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  VA
     Ischura ramburii 
     
     
     The following genus TELEBASIS are the FIRETAILS:
     
     
281. Duckweed Firetail  ______  (P:139)  DE  MD  NC  VA
     Telebasis byersi
     
     The Duckweed Firetail is a carnivorous damselfly, named for its association with a plant, the Common Duckweed, Lemna minor, in the family ARACEAE.
     The larvae of the firetails live in the duckweed mat, so the association with duckweed is throughout the life cycle of the insect.
     
     The Duckweed Firetail is at the northern limit of its range on the Delmarva Peninsula. Delaware's only record of the species was years ago at a duckweed-covered abandoned sand pit in Kent County. Since then, it may well have disappeared from that site, and perhaps from the state.   
     
     
     The following genus LEPTOBASIS are the SWAMPDAMSELS:
     
     
282. Lucifer Swampdamsel  (formerly Lucifer Damsel)  ______  (P:141)  FL
     Leptobasis (formerly Chrysobasis) lucifer
     
     
     The following genus ARGIA are the DANCERS: 
     
     
283. Variable (or Violet) Dancer  (ph)  ______  (P:156)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA  VA
     Argia fumipennis
     
     The Variable (or Violet) Dancer is the most common dancer in New Jersey.
     
     
     
     Variable (or Violet) Dancer
     (photo by Kate Somerville)
     
     
284. Blue-fronted Dancer  ______  (P:150)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Argia apicalis
     
     
285. Seepage Dancer  ______  (P:149)  DE(very rare)  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Argia bipunctulata
     
     Although the Seepage Dancer is common in bogs in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, it has not been seen in Delaware for many years. Some say that it may be extirpated there.
     The Seepage Dancer inhabits specific, localized, and threatened habitats, being found in bogs, and seaside fens and seeps.     
     
     
286. Powdered Dancer  ______  (P:151)  DE(north)  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Argia moesta
     
     
287. Blue-ringed Dancer  (ph)  ______  (P:153)  DE(very rare,north)  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Argia sedula
     
     The Blue-ringed Dancer is a fairly common and widespread species. It prefers larger rivers, and is common at places and at times along the Potomac, Susquehanna, and Delaware Rivers.  
     
     But in the state of Delaware, the only known occurrence of the Blue-ringed Dancer was of a male specimen collected in September 1944 along the Brandywine Creek.
     
     
     
     Blue-ringed Dancer
     (photo by Kate Somerville)
     
     
288. Blue-tipped Dancer  ______  (P:162)  DE  MD  NC  NJ  PA
     Argia tibialis
     
     
289. Dusky Dancer  ______  (P:163)  DE(north)  MD  NC  NJ(rare,north)  PA
     Argia translata
     
     
     The following genus NEHALENNIA are the SPRITES:
     
     
290. Sphagnum Sprite  ______  (P:146)  DE(south)  MD(rare)  NJ  PA
     Nehalennia gracilis
     
     The Sphagnum Sprite, as indicated by its common name, lives in sphagnum-choked bogs and fens. 
     
     
291. Southern Sprite  ______  (P:144)  DE(rare)  MD(rare)  NJ(rare,south)  PA
     Nehalennia intergricollis
     
     The Southern Sprite is a tiny damselfly, with an iridescent emerald green body and blue-tipped abdomen, that flies low among stems of emergent vegetation.
     Because it is inconspicuous and rarely flies unless disturbed, it is easy to overlook even when searching for it. 
     
     
292. Sedge Sprite  ______  (P:145)  MD  NJ  PA
     Nehalennia irene
     
     
293. Tropical Sprite  ______  (P:142)  FL
     Nehalennia minuta
     
     
294. Everglade Sprite  ______  (P:143)  FL
     Nehalennia pallidula
     
     
     
     Beetles. Other Insects, & Spiders
     
     
295. Six-spotted Tiger Beetle  (ph)  ______
     Cicindela sexguttata
     
     The Six-spotted Tiger Beetle occurs in eastern North America from the Maritime provinces of Canada south to northern Florida and west to the Dakotas and Texas.
     It is out and about in the late spring and early summer.  
     
     
     
     A Six-spotted Tiger Beetle photographed in northeastern Pennsylvania in May 2015
     (photo by Rise Hill) 
     
     
296. Dogbane Beetle  (ph)  ______
     Chrysochus auratus
     
     The Dogbane Beetle is one of the most spectacular leaf beetles in eastern North America.
     It is relatively large, oval, shiny, brilliantly iridescent green, or coppery green, golden green, or bluish green.
     It is exclusively associated with the plant. Spreading Dogbane, Apocynum androsaemifolium.
     The diurnal adults feed on leaves throughout eastern North America south from southern Canada, but not in Florida.    
     
     
     
     A Dogbane Beetle in south-central Pennsylvania in July 2015
     (photo by Rise Hill) 
     
     
297. Marbled Orb Weaver  (ph)  ______  (a spider)
     Araneus marmoreus
     
     
     
     
     Marbled Orb Weaver
     (photo courtesy of Kenneth Herbert)   
     
     
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