CATHANCE PRESERVE DRAGONFLY STUDY Purpose: By Kevin Bolduc and Ryan Glass To observe the changes in populations of dragonflies at Graphs (results): Cathance River Preserve in Topsham, Maine according to the air temperature during the months of September and October. Hypothesis: As the temperatures decrease throughout the fall, all dragonfly populations will steadily decrease. Procedure: 1. Gather nets and camera. The researchers at work 2. Visit four locations to look for dragonflies. Conclusions: 3. Using the nets, catch any * The hypothesis was supported. The dragonflies spotted, photograph diversity and amount of dragonflies Autumn Meadowhawk observed at the Cathance Preserve had them, and record their identity. (Left and right) 4. Record the air temperature. a correlation with the temperature on the 5. Repeat weekly throughout days observed, as both decreased September and October. along with the decreasing temperatures. * There were some errors in this Background experiment. Data was only collected once a week, at the same time Information: (midmorning), and the researchers • Dragonflies are part of the Anisoptera limited their data collecting to areas near suborder of the Odonata family the trails. • Dragonflies have large eyes, a short * These could be solved by having more thorax, a long and thin abdomen, and people collect data, and to collect data two sets of glassy membraneous at different times and more often than wings, the hind set being larger than once a week. the front. Darner Nymph • Dragonflies can live for many years. Dragonfly Species Identified: However, most of this time is spent as Thanks: • Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum) nymph (lowest picture), and in the Special thanks to David Reed, who • White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum) water. gave us guidance and mentoring • Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum) • Weather patterns have a considerable throughout this study. Other thanks • Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) effect on dragonflies, as they are go out to Matt Dubel of CREA and • Salty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) exothermic, meaning they can’t Mr. Glenn Evans. • Blue Darner (Aeshna multicolor) produce their own heat.