The Pond’s Edge - II

Naturally Digital’s blog post of May 16 dealt with the wildlife found along the edge of a local pond in early spring. Among the photos featured in that post were images of a Blue corporal dragonfly and the molt of another dragonfly. So we know that dragonflies were beginning to make an appearance, but in actuality they were few and far between. Later in the year, on June 22, it was noted that the dragonflies were starting to show up in larger numbers. Included in that blog were images of the commonly found Blue dasher, a rarer Spangled skimmer and a third species, the Blue corporal. Well, it is now well into summer and August is a great month to find many dragonflies flitting along the edges of ponds throughout this part of New York.

Calico pennant

The Calico pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) is a striking species known for its colorful, patterned wings that resemble a patchwork quilt. Typically found near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams across North America, this dragonfly exhibits a distinctive flight pattern, often hovering low over the water’s surface. Males display bright orange and black markings on their wings, which serve both as camouflage among reeds and as a signal during territorial disputes. Calico pennants play an important role in controlling mosquito populations, making them a beneficial presence in wetland ecosystems. Their lifecycle includes aquatic nymph stages, where they remain underwater for several months before emerging as adults. This individual was found along the edge of Brook’s Lake in Fort Montgomery, NY.

Eastern amberwing

The Eastern amberwing appears to be gilded in gold. This small, vividly colored dragonfly native to the eastern United States measures only about one inch in length, and is easily recognizable by its amber-tinted wings, which are transparent with a warm, golden hue. Males typically exhibit brighter coloration than females and as seen in this image are often seen perched on low vegetation near ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. This species is known for its rapid, agile flight and along with other species of dragonflies plays an important role in controlling insect populations.

Female Eastern pondhawk

One of the most common dragonflies found in this part of the country in August is the Eastern pondhawk. The male (see image below) is pale blue with a green face while the female seen here is a brilliant green with black dorsal spots. These are relatively “ferocious” and will actually attack members of their own species. The Pondhawk will commonly hunt from a perch such as the rock where this one is awaiting its next meal. They are usually found in quiet ponds with large algal mats like Brooks Lake where these were found.

Male Eastern pondhawk

Mating among dragonflies involves an intricate process known as the "mating wheel." The male dragonfly first grasps the female behind the head with specialized claspers located at the end of his abdomen. The female then curves her abdomen forward to connect with the male’s secondary genitalia, located near the base of his abdomen, forming a heart-shaped wheel. This position allows for the transfer of sperm while the pair may remain airborne or perched. Males often guard females during and after mating to prevent rival males from interrupting or displacing their sperm, ensuring successful reproduction. Generally, the male will actually remove the sperm deposited by a male during an earlier encounter before depositing his own “contribution”.

Mating wheel with a two Eastern pondhawks- Blue male above and green female below

And last but not least, we have a photograph of another species of insect…a grasshopper. This beautiful tiny grasshopper photographed earlier in the day at Silvermine Lake in Harriman Park is the Short-winged green grasshopper. The short-winged green grasshopper, typically found in North American grasslands, is notable for its vibrant green coloration and relatively small wings compared to other grasshopper species. These shorter wings limit its flying ability, causing it to rely more heavily on jumping to evade predators. Adapted to their grassy habitats, they blend seamlessly with foliage, providing effective camouflage. Their diet primarily consists of various grasses and leaves.

Short-winged green grasshopper . In spite of the name, the female is generally brown and larger, so we can assume this little lady is a female.

In North America, dragonfly migrations occur annually in late summer and early fall, when millions of insects move from Canada and the northern United States down to the Gulf Coast, Mexico, the West Indies, and beyond. We will keep a sharp eye out to see if we can document any of the migratory movement as we progress through the summer and into fall.