Conservation of and : threats, needs, and strategies

C. Mazzacano Odonates at Risk

About as many species of odonates as birds, but receive much less research and conservation attention

Arrowhead Spiketail ( dorsalis); Hugo Cobos) Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis); Hugo Cobos

Striped Meadowhawk ( pallipes); C. Mazzacano) Sierra Madre Dancer ( lacrimans); C. Mazzacano) Odonates at Risk Many species have disappeared from water bodies worldwide

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina cruentata), C. Mazzacano Odonates at Risk

Still discovering new species, county records, and distributions

Kalkman et al., Global diversity of dragonflies () in freshwater

Sarracenia Spiketail (Cordulegaster sarracenia), Troy Hibbetts Odonate Conservation Status

Fr eshwat er M ussel s 69% Cr ayf i shes 51% St onef l i es 43%

Fr eshwat er Fi shes 37% Amphibians 36% Flowering Plants 33%

Gymnosperms 24% Fer ns/ Fer n A l l i es 22% T i ger Beet l es 19% Presumed/Possibly Extinct (GX/GH) Butterflies/Skippers 19% Critically Imperiled (G1) Rept i l es 18% I mper i l ed (G2) Vul ner abl e (G3) D r agonf l i es/ D amsel f l i es 18% M ammal s 16%

Birds 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Per cent of Speci es

Precious Heritage (2000), TNC, NatureServe

Odonate Conservation Status

Dragonflies/Damselflies 18%

5952 odonate species globally (Schorr & Paulson, 2013)

463 odonate species in North America (Schorr & Paulson, 2013)

89 “threatened” odonate species in U.S. and Canada (Nature Serve 2013)

Hine’s Emerald (Somatochlora hineana); Kathryn Kirk, WDNR Odonate Conservation Status

5 presumed or possibly extinct

21 critically imperiled

23 imperiled

40 vulnerable

Pacific Hawaiian ( pacificum); USFWS National Digital Library 6 species listed under ESA: Hine’s Emerald, 5 Hawaiian Megalagrion damselflies

2 species listed under SARA: Rapids Clubtail & Pygmy Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly (Megalagrion nesiotes; USFWS National Digital Library Snaketail Why should we care?

Large, beautiful, charismatic

Claret Pondhawk (Erythemis mithroides), C. Mazzacano

“Poster child” for aquatic and habitats

Carmine Skimmer ( discolor); C. Mazzacano Why should we care?

Important link between terrestrial and aquatic food webs

Nymph eating backswimmer, NatureUpClose

Nymphs can be top predators in fishless wetlands

Meadowhawk eating mosquito; K. Redmond, UWI-Milwaukee Why should we care?

Eaten by birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals

Rich in fat and protein

Great Kiskadee eating Common Green Darner; Dennis Paulson Provide essential amino acids lacking in plants and seeds

Western Fence Lizard eating Common Whitetail; Dennis Paulson Why should we care?

Bear Creek, CA; C. Mazzacano Collins, CO; C. Mazzacano Biotope characterization  different types of habitats have characteristic species assemblages

Springer Lake Bog, WA; C. Mazzacano Plant bog, NY; C. Mazzacano Why should we care? Biological indicators  changes in abundance and species composition in response to human disturbance

Crystal Springs Creek, Portland OR; C. Mazzacano Why should we care? Heavy metal detection nymphs being used to assess mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/Studies/air_toxics/dragonfly/index.cfm Why should we care? Model organisms to study effects of climate change Why should we care?

Cultural and aesthetic value Threats to odonates Habitat fragmentation Sedimentation Habitat loss & degradation Introduced species Heavy metals Eutrophication

Hydrologic Pesticides colubrinus; alterations C. Mazzacano

Global climate Unregulated change grazing

Celeste Mazzacano Threats to odonates Global climate change natural ? overwintering migration enemies

? disease precipitation

range prey changes

Red-tailed Pennant ( furcata), C. Mazzacano ? ? habitat parasites Challenges for conservation Increasing demand for fresh water Multiple impacts in watersheds

Mississippi River, Minneapolis MN; C. Mazzacano Challenges for conservation

Insects not “charismatic”

Less public awareness

Less appreciation of roles in freshwater habitats

Lincoln Park, Chicago IL; Celeste Mazzacano Challenges for conservation

But it doesn’t have to be that way!!!!!

Interpretive sign developed by BLM at Cowboy Camp, Bear Creek, CA, in conjunction with Kathy & Dave Biggs; C. Mazzacano

Natural or constructed ponds are important environmental education tools

Lincoln Park Boardwalk, Chicago IL; C. Mazzacano Challenges for conservation

Knowledge gaps in life history and needs

States/provinces may not include odonates in conservation plans

Populations may decline past recovery

Tadpole Pond, Portland OR; C.Alexa Mazzacano Carleton Conservation strategies

Map essential habitat

Assess current vs. historic distribution

Location of Hine’s Emerald sites investigated in Door County Conservation strategies

Fill knowledge gaps (life history, , distribution, trends, threats)

Obtain protection for threatened species

Develop recovery and management plans

Hine’s Emerald (Somatochlora hineana), John Abbott Hine’s Emerald, John Abbott Conservation strategies

Protect, conserve, and restore aquatic and upland habitats

C. Mazzacano

Tanner Springs Park, Portland OR; C. Mazzacano C. Mazzacano Conservation strategies

Increase public knowledge, awareness, and appreciation

Brianna Borders

Celeste Mazzacano Questions?

Little Blue Dragonlet ( minuscula), C. Mazzacano