2014 Survey of of the Upper Mississippi and Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuges

Dan Jackson, S2256 County Hwy K, Chaseburg, WI 54621

Introduction

2014 was the second flight season covered by a special use permit to survey Odonata on the Upper Mississippi and Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuges. Unfortunately, once again, high water and equipment problems reduced the number of outings that I was able to take via boat onto the refuges. Therefore, I again spent the majority of my survey effort on dry land adjacent to various wetlands on the refuges, often during my lunch breaks or at the end of my work day. This effort included 67 location surveys on about 40 different dates from April 25, 2014, when I spotted my first Anax junius (Common Green Darner) of the year, until October 20, 2014, when I went out and saw a few butterflies but no Odonata.

I tried to take pictures and record sightings of other and spiders that I spotted while surveying for Odonata. I was able to record 232 sightings of various insects and 1 sighting of a spider in addition to 498 sighting records of Odonata. A summary of those sightings will be included at the end of my Odonata survey results.

2014 was an interesting year for surveying Odonata. Spring was relatively late, with the first Odonata seen 2-3 weeks later than normal. The Mississippi River was also very high in May and June and this made surveying very difficult during this period. Despite the slow start, Odonata seemed to catch up by early June and initial sighting dates of many species became closer to normal.

In general, I noticed that the overall numbers of many species was significantly reduced this year. This was especially true for Skimmers and Pond Damselflies. I found most of the species that I would expect, but in general saw fewer individuals – especially of species where the nymphs live in relatively shallow, quiet water. I don’t have scientific proof, but wonder if the especially long and cold winter had an impact on these species.

The flight did extend into October as it did in 2013. However, there were fewer sightings of late individuals of species this year than in 2013. Cold weather in late October ended the season, even for Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhaw) which I have seen in November in other years.

Method

Time was spent surveying from a boat on the refuges and surveying on land adjacent to various aquatic habitats on the refuges. When I was surveying on or at the edge of the water, I made a special effort to record breeding activity (pairs in tandem, patrolling males, and/or ovipositing females). Flying adults were photographed and/or netted when that was required to make a positive ID. I did not keep any specimens this year.

Odonata spend a significant part of their adult life stage away from water. Immediately after they emerge, tenerals typically make their first flight away from water in order to avoid confrontation with adults and to find good feeding locations. They typically spend a few days to a couple of weeks eating and maturing before they head back to water habitats to mate and reproduce. Therefore, surveying of upland areas adjacent to various water habitats can be a good way of finding large numbers of immature adults and sometimes mature adults that are feeding and resting.

Results

Over the course of the 2014 flight season, I recorded 45 species of Odonata on pools 6 through 10 of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge and the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Some of these species were very common and seen on a regular basis and others were relatively rare and often only found at a single spot on a single outing. The following is a summary of my findings by family.

Sub-Order Zygotera – Damselflies

Family Calopterygidae – Broad-Winged Damselflies

Broad-winged Damselflies prefer moving, more highly oxygenated water. In 2014, I found all three species of this family that I would expect to find in this region during my surveys on the refuges (Calopteryx aequabilis – River Jewelwing, Calopteryx maculata – Ebony Jewelwing, and Hetaerina americana – American Rubyspot). However, all were found on the Trempealeau River in or adjacent to the Trempealeau NWR and not on the Mississippi. In the past, I have found Hetaerina americana on the Mississippi. However, I did not this year. There were good numbers of both males and females of all three species present on the Trempealeau River, but reproduction activity was not noted.

Family Lestidae – Spreadwing Damselflies

I found three species of Spreadwings during my refuge surveys in 2014. The most common was Lestes rectangularis (Slender Spreadwing). It was documented with fifteen sightings that were spread over 4 counties in Wisconsin ranging from Grant County in the south to Trempealeau County in the north. These included Vernon, La Crosse, Grant, and Trempealeau Counties. I also had three sightings of Lestes unguiculatus (Lyre-tipped Spreadwing) and two sightings of Lestes inaequalis (Elegant Spreadwing). More species are likely present on the refuges but poor conditions in June and few opportunities to get on the water limited my ability to find them.

Family Coenagrionidae – Pond Damselflies

As expected, the pond damselflies were well represented on the Mississippi river in 2014. Most of the species of this family prefer still water areas with abundant vegetation. There are also a few species that prefer moving, well oxygenated water. Since both of these types of habitat occur on the upper Mississippi River, it is not a surprise that I found 9 species including members of both of these groups in the appropriate habitat. The diversity and numbers of this family were low this year – perhaps due to the long and harsh winter or the prolonged flooding.

Along the edge of the main channel and along the shore of sloughs with relatively fast current, I once again found that Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer) and Enallagma exulans (Stream Bluet) were widespread and present in good numbers. I also found several Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) along the channel in Pool 6. I have found them in previous years on other pools, but was unable to check in appropriate areas this year during the peak of their flight period. I did not detect Argia tibialis (Blue- tipped Dancer) on the Mississippi River this year but that is also mostly due to lack of surveying activity during the peak of their flight period in appropriate habitat

In quiet water locations and in the upland areas nearby, Enallagma caranculatum (Tule Bluet), Enallagma geminatum (Skimming Bluet), Enallagma signatum (Orange Bluet), and Ischnura verticalis (Eastern Forktail) were common throughout the middle of the summer with the flight period for I. verticalis extending from early June to the end of August.

I did not find Enallagma boreale (Boreal Bluet) in 2014 but did find Enallagma erbium (Marsh Bluet) on four occasions. These are early fliers and the high water in May and June could have affected emergence and/or my ability to detect them.

Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) is a relatively late flying damselfly and it was consistently detected in small numbers from early August to mid-October. This species can fly as early as June and this year I did find one adult on June 17th. That was an outlier as they were not found again until early August.

I also found Nehalennia Irene (Sedge Sprite) at two refuge locations this year. This is not a real surprise since I do find them in other locations in the region

Sub-Order Anisoptera –

Family Aeshnidae – Darners

During 2014, five species of Darners were found during my refuge surveys. Anax junius (Common Green Darner), which is a migrant, was again the most common and was the first seen in the spring and one of the last seen in the fall.

The second-most common Darner that I found on the Mississippi in pools 6-10 is Aeshna constricta (Lance-tipped Darner). These were present in high numbers in 2014 and were found in grassy open areas adjacent to backwaters from mid-July through early October. In late September, I found large numbers of these flying over shallow backwater areas with arrowhead in pool 9. Although I did not see any ovipositing females, I did see many males defending territories and also several pairs in wheel and tandem. I am fairly confident that they are using that habitat for reproduction. Small numbers of Aeshna Canadensis (Canada Darner) and Aeshna umbrosa (Shadow Darner) were seen along the river this year including new county record sightings in Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties in Wisconsin. I also had a single sighting of Aeshna verticalis (Green-striped Darner) in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Family – Clubtails

Pond Clubtails –

This year was another tough year for finding early Clubtails on the Mississippi River. Once again, the water conditions were not optimal and did not allow me to get out on the water during their flight season. However, I did see several Arigomphus submedianus (Jade Clubtail) just south of the Wyalusing State Park boat landing (pool 10). This is one of the best locations for this Clubtail which is very rare in the state of Wisconsin and, although I was there at the end of their flight period, they were well represented.

Common Clubtails – Gomphus

In 2014, I only saw two species of Gomphus clubtails on the Mississippi. This was a direct result of high water conditions and poor weather that hampered my survey efforts in June. My sightings included sightings of 5 Gomphus fraternus (Midland Clubtail) on the dike on the west side of French Island on June 17 and a late sighting of a single male Gomphus vastus (Cobra Clubtail) along the channel of Pool 10 on August 2nd.

Hanging Clubtails –

2014 was again a very productive year for finding Stylurus Clubtails on the Mississippi River. Despite only going out on the river a few times during their flight season, I found Stylurus notatus (Elusive Clubtails) on four outings and recorded Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtails) on 26 surveys from mid-July through late September on Pools 6 thru 10 of the Mississippi River as well as on the Trempealeau River in the Trempealeau NWR.

Family Macromiidae – Cruisers

Due to issues with my outboard motor, I was not able to spend as much time looking for Macromia taeniolata (Royal River Cruiser) as I had hoped. However, I did see over 30 on August 2nd on Pool 10 and also saw one in Winona County, MN just below the Dresbach dam on July 14th. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch that individual and therefore did not get a picture to submit to Odonata Central as proof of their presence in that county.

Family – Emeralds

In 2014, I once again found 2 species of Emeralds on the Mississippi. These included Epitheca cynosura () and (Prince Baskettail) and both were found patrolling along shorelines in areas with little or no current. E. cynosura is an early flier and was seen in several locations from late May through mid-June. E. Princeps was seen consistently from mid-June though early September from pool 6 down to pool 10.

Family – Skimmers

In general, skimmers prefer backwaters and ponds and other still, shallow water locations. The upper Mississippi River backwaters provide excellent habitat and this family is well represented in all of the areas that I surveyed. However, as noted earlier, the number of sightings and the number of individuals seen of this group was down significantly in 2014 on the refuges and the surrounding area.

Whitetails - Plethemis

We have one Whitetail in the Midwest. That species, Plethemis lydia (Common Whitetail) is not plentiful on the upper Mississippi river but is found fairly regularly. This year, I found it on 6 occasions from early June to mid-August.

King Skimmers – Libellula

Once again, three species of King Skimmers were found during the 2014 survey. These included Libellula quadrimaculata (Four-spotted Skimmer), Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer), and Libellula pulchela (Twelve-spotted Skimmer). The L. quadrimacula was seen on two occasions on a small sand prairie in Stoddard on Pool 8. These represent 2 of only 3 sighting records of this species in Vernon County, WI. The other species were seen regularly from mid-June to early September but in noticeably smaller numbers than in prior years.

Amberwings - Perithemis

There is a single species of Amberwing found in the Midwest and they are relatively common on the Mississippi River in shallow backwaters – especially those with pond lilies. This species is Perithemis tenera (Eastern Amberwing). In most years it is found in large numbers. In 2014, this species was seen from mid-June through early September from pool 7 down to pool 10. However, like the king skimmers, numbers of individuals were noticeably lower in 2014.

Small Pennants - Celithemis

I have found two species of small pennants along the upper Mississippi River in Pools 6 through 10. These are Celithemis eponina (Halloween Pennant) and Celithemis elisa (Calico Pennant). C. eponina is relatively common in backwater areas while C. elisa is relatively uncommon along this section of the river. During this year’s survey, I did not detect C. elisa on the two refuges and saw noticeably fewer individuals of C. eponina.

Whitefaces - Leucorrhinia

In a typical year, the first emergent skimmer of the year is usually Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface). As with other skimmers, numbers of this species seemed low this year. However, it was found on 6 occasions from late May to late June. Pondhawks – Erythemis

There is a single pondhawk found in the Midwest. This is Erythemis simplicicollis (Eastern Pondhawk). This year it was found from late June to early September but was present relatively low numbers compared to 2013 and other years.

Meadowhawks - Sympetrum

Compared to 2013, this was a much poorer year for Meadowhawks (Sympetrum sp.) along the upper Mississippi River. I found 5 species compared to the 7 found last year and the number of sightings and individuals for the less common species (S. costiferum, S. rubicundulum, S. semicinctum) was much lower.

This year, I did not detect S. corruptum or S. internum on either of the refuges.

Blue Dasher – Pachydiplax

2014 was a noticeably poor year for Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher). This is usually a very common and abundant dragonfly on the Upper Mississippi and Trempealeau NWRs. This year, it was noticeably absent with only six sightings recorded over the course of the entire flight season.

Gliders – Pantala

There are two species of gliders found in the Midwest. Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) and Pantala hymenea (Spot-winged Glider). Both are long distance migrants that show up from mid-June through July and then are seen again on their way south in September and October. This year, I only spotted Wandering Gliders on that was on a single occasion in the early fall. It will be interesting to track spring abundance relative to the height and duration of spring flooding.

Saddlebags –

Four species of Saddlebags have been recorded in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa on the upper Mississippi River. Of these, 2 are very rare and two are seen fairly regularly. All are migratory and over the past 5 years, my experience has indicated that the annual population of these species can be greatly affected by weather – specifically if spring weather is early and very warm.

2014 was a relatively late and cool spring. This weather and the high water during June definitely affected the sightings of this as only Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) were seen along the Mississippi River this year. I did find small numbers of Tramea onusta (Red Saddlebags) and a few Tramea carolina (Carolina Saddlebags) off of the river in June and July at a small fishless pond but even there, the numbers were very low.

Other Insects

In addition to Odonata, I made an effort to observe, record, and photograph other insects that I saw when surveying Odonata. This year, this resulted in recorded sightings of 25 species of butterflies, 5 species of moths, 8 species of bees and wasps, as well as some interesting flies. Not all species have been identified, but pictures have been submitted to BugGuide.org in hopes that they will be identified by professional entomologists.

A copy of a spreadsheet including all records for 2014 will be included with this report.