Ontario , vol. 7 2007

Observations on local field trips (Arnprior area) - Annual Meeting of the Society of the Americas, 2005 [condensed versions of this article appeared in Trail and Landscape 40(1): 9-20 and Argia 17(3): 9-11].

P.M. Catling, B. Kostiuk, C. Lewis and B. Bracken catlingp@agr,gc.ca [email protected]

Local field trips took place on 10 and 11 July with different groups visiting the same locations (Table 1) on the two consecutive days. Seven locations were visited with ½ to 1 ½ hours at each site. The furthest site was 22 km from Arnprior. The weather on both days was hot and sunny with temperatures reaching 35/C. A participant from Austin, Texas, commented that he did not “think that it got that hot up here ... and another 10 degrees and it would be just like Texas.” Nevertheless the groups remained generally energetic and good natured and the river and stream locations provided welcomed relief for those who were able to get their feet (or more than their feet) wet. Landowners Liza Badham (site 2), Neil Stewart (site 5), Dale Dean (site 1) and John Trudeau (site 7) kindly provided permission and assistance. On the first day there were 17 cars and 35 people and on the Figure 1. Jessica Ware from Rutgers University second day there were 10 cars and 25 people. The presented a paper at the symposium. Her daughter groups were diverse and included DSA members, Aeshna is naturally committed to the study of local photographers, federal and provincial . Photo by B. Kostiuk at a quarry near government biologists and members of the Ottawa Arnprior (location 1), 10 July 2005. Field-Naturalists Club and the McNamara Field ______Naturalists from Arnprior. It was a major educational experience for many (Figure 1) . Much information was shared and people were very Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus). Several pleased to have an opportunity to meet some of the people obtained good photos of this . Equally well known scientific experts including Nick local and characteristic, the Azure Bluet (Enallagma Donelly (editor of the DSA newsletter), Sid Dunkle aspersum) was seen and a few were captured. Many (author of “Dragonflies Through Binoculars”, Figure pairs of the very attractive Calico Pennant 2) and Michael May (co-author of the two basic (Celithemis elisa) were ovipositing in shallow areas textbooks on North American dragonflies). of the pool. Another local damsel, largely confined to recent pit ponds in the region, the Northern Bluet The outing began in a recently excavated sand (Enallagma cyathigerum) was present. Nick quarry with fishless ponds. The substrate was sandy Donnelly was particularly interested in collecting with limited aquatic vegetation. Hundreds of specimens for further study of this species and he recently emerged Saffron-winged Meadowhawks enthusiastically solicited donations from others. A (Sympetrum costiferum). Also characteristic of this few Wandering Gliders (Pantala flavescens) were habitat in the region was the uncommon and local seen here but nowhere else. Theses migrants use the

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common. Twenty-three species were recorded. Of additional interest at the river was the Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly (Cupido (Everes) comyntas) a tiny and rare species that may have only recently become established as a permanent resident in the district (see Trail& Landscape 37(3): 101. 2003.). It was netted by Chris Michener. Other butterfly species of interest to participants included our Pearl Crescent (Phycioides tharos), Northern Broken Dash (Wallengrenia egeremet) and Deleware Skipper (Atrytone logan seen at site 4).

Both groups had lunch on the Mississippi River at Pakenham. The highlight here was the rare Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor) which came in to land on rocks along the shore beside the rapids with the well known 5-span stone bridge in the background. Twenty-three species were recorded here, among them the very attractive Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum). An impressively large Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) was also captured and released at this site.

A small stream, little more than an inch deep and 2 feet wide (Figure 3) produced larvae of Twin- spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata) and it was hoped that an adult of this denizen of shady

Figure 2. Sid Dunkle, author of “Dragonflies Through Binoculars: a Field Guide to the Dragonflies of North America” enjoys a visit to “Scoops” in Pakenham after seeing Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor) at the town bridge. Photo by B. Kostiuk, 10 July 2005. ______sandy pit ponds to produce a generation that moves south in the fall. This site was rich and productive (see Table 2) with 25 species recorded over the two visits.

Large rivers are another special habitat for certain species of dragonflies and the Ottawa river near the Quyon ferry provides a good example. This is one of Figure 3. Stalking three species of Spiketail the few stretches of water in the province where the dragonflies (Cordulegaster) on a tiny stream on the Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastas) and Elusive north side of Mount Pakenham. Photo by B.Kostiuk, Clubtail (Stylurus notatus) occur. Hundreds of shed 10 July 2005. skins of S. notatus were found along the shore and 2 emergences were observed. Many Cobra Clubtails ______were seen and photographed. A few Midland Clubtails (Gomphus fraternus) were present and the woodland streams would appear. The group riverine Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) were positioned itself tightly along the road facing the

17 Ontario Odonata, vol. 7 2007 forest and Oliver Flint from the Smithsonian waited perched on rocks with abdomens held vertically by the trickling stream. Suddenly a spiketail dashed providing numerous opportunities for photographs. out of the shadows. Oliver netted it and the group The Least Clubtail (Stylogomphys albistylus, Figure had a close up look at a rare Arrowhead Spiketail 8), about the same size as the numerous Powdered (Cordulegaster obliqua, Figure 4). Next a Delta- Dancers (Argia moesta), and also with a white- spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster diastatops) landed tipped abdomen, could be distinguished by its more on a fence beside the stream and many photographs rapid and agile flight. Rusty Snaketails were taken. It was a surprise to see 3 different (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis) appeared from the species of these large, green-eyed and boldly yellow- trees every so often and then were gone again, as is marked dragonflies at the same place and the characteristic of their behaviour. However, on 10 Arrowhead was a new county record. A damselfly July one posed on a mid-stream rock long enough to associated with small seepages and springs, the allow many close-up photographs. Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum) was also found here and abundant Ebony Jewelwings ______(Calopteryx maculata) with black wings and metallic emerald bodies made the place seem tropical. A total of 10 species were recorded at this brief stop. The second group had a little more time and stopped at another similar stream nearby. Jewelwings were abundant here as well and very photogenic. A few Dragonhunters (Hagenius brevistylus) were also seen and their large size and build, suiting them well to a diet of other dragonflies, captured the interest of the group.

Figure 5. Oliver Flint (bent over) demonstrating that the “river pennies” are beetle larvae. Many had seen the mobile flattened life forms, but few knew what they were. Photo by B. Kostiuk on Waba River (site 6). ______

An old sand pit with some shallow drying pools was the next stop. Here White-faced Meadowhawks (Sympetrum obtrusum) had recently emerged from pools with 6 inches of water and the shallow pools Figure 4. The rare and local Arrowhead Spiketail were also apparently home to four species of (Cordulegaster obliqua) was a surprise (actual spreadwings. However, this clearing in extensive specimen shown here, courtesy of Oliver Flint). Canadian Shield mixed forest was actually mostly of Photo by P.M. Catling. interest due to the high diversity of species that had ______emerged elsewhere and wandered in. In particular there were several Halloween Pennants (Celithemis The stony, fast-flowing Waba River was cool and eponina) perching on twigs here at the northern limit semi-shaded and a nice place to be on two very hot of their range. Late-flying American Emeralds afternoons (Figure 5 - 7). Two gomphids of fast- (Cordulia shurtleffii), Hudsonian Whitefaces moving rocky streams were the highlight and both (Leucorrhinia hudsonica) and Chalk-fronted

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Figure 6. The “remains” of the group on the Waba River after the first (very hot) day. Gordon Lewer is absent from the photo. Towering at the back centre is Daniel Bogar from Marysville, Pensylvania with Ailsa Donnelly from Binghampton, New York on his right and Yvette Liautaud from Streamwood, Illinois on his left. On the far righthand side of the photo is DSA president Roy Beckemeyer from Wichita, Kansas. On the left at the back are Bob Bracken from Ottawa (with net) and Chris Michener (coauthor of the annotated checklist of the dragonflies of Renfrew County). In front of Chris is Anne DeGoff from New York City and in front of Bob is Christina Lewis from Ottawa. There are 13 nets, 5 cameras, and 6 pairs of binoculars in the photo. If you only counted 12 nets it is because Nick Donnelly’s (very sporting) net is literally off (the top of) the page! Photo by B. Kostiuk at Waba, 10 July 2005. ______

Corporals (Ladona julia) were present. Jerrell Daigle species on the first day, 28 on the second and a total discovered two Emeralds, Williamson’s of 30 for the first two days. Also of local interest (Somatochlora williamsoni) and Brush-tipped (S. here were Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus). walshii) flying in the shadows along the woods road. This site proved to be the most diverse with 28

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The consecutive visits on two days of similar weather allowed a comparison of numbers following collecting and disturbance. The most popular species at the quarry for collecting was Lestes eurinus and eight of 13 seen were collected, but 30 were seen on the second day. Gomphus vastas which was much more common on the second day when 20 were encountered. On the Waba River Stylogomphus albistylus was just as common on the second day as on the first despite the fact that several were collected. There is thus evidence that dragonfly populations are not as disturbed as we might imagine by monitoring and collecting activities. There are obviously many more dragonflies present than were seen and many were not caught despite a large crowd with nets.

Figure 7. Perhaps this explains why Gordon Each day the groups met in the evening to tally the records (Table 2). The final master list for the local Lewer (former Algonquin Park Naturalist and field trips included 68 species, an impressive count present High School teacher in Hamilton), is for casual observations (80 possible). The ten missing from the group picture. Photo by B. species of Gomphids was particularly notable. Kostiuk from Waba River bridge on 10 July 2005. ______

The final stop was White Lake fen, where the group photographed the large black larvae of the very rare Bog-Bean Buckmoth (Hemileuca sp.), one of the late-flying giant silk moths that feeds exclusively on bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata). Rose Pogonia Orchids (Pogonia ophiglossoides) were also photographed. Among the dragonflies at this site were a late Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) and more Halloween Pennants and Williamson’s Emeralds. The fen produced 9 species of dragonflies.

On the second day some of the group led by Peter Burke and Carl Rothfels went to the nearby (5 km S) but more extensive Hayes Bay fen where they added Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella) to the regional field trip list. Finally most of the group participated in viewing and catching the dusk-flying Stygian Shadowdragons (Neurocodulia yamaskanensis) on the Madawaska River right outside the Quality Inn Figure 8. A male Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus in Arnprior. Ten species were recorded by another albistylus) handstands on a rock in the riffles of the group on a visit to “Gillies Grove,” an old growth Waba River. This excellent photo was taken by Bev pine stand beside the Ottawa River in the town of Wigney of Osgoode on 10 July 2005. Bev provided Arnprior, but none of these were additional. a very impressive display for the meeting area, led a discussion of dragonfly photography, and taught d dragonfly photography techniques in the field. 9

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Table 1. Locations visited during local field trips. Location County Lat. Long. (1) Recently excavated sand pit ponds 6 km ESE of Ottawa-Carleton 45.4154 -76.2818 Arnprior (2) Ottawa River, S side upstream from Quyon ferry Ottawa-Carleton 45.5109 -76.2212 crossing (3) Mississippi River at Pakenham Lanark 45.3445 -75.0115 (4) small stream 3.5 km E of Waba Lanark 45.3481 -76.4144 (5) small stream 5 km E of Waba Lanark 45.3519 -76.3953 (6) Waba River at Waba Renfrew 45.3484 -76.4591 (7) sand pit and shallow pools with much aquatic Lanark 45.2525 -76.4807 vegetation, S of Three Mile Bay, White Lake (8) White Lake Fen Renfrew 45.3371 -76.4983 (9) Hayes Bay Fen Lanark 45.3371 -76.4983 (10) Madawaska River at Arnprior Renfrew 45.3124 -76.4581 (11) Other locations in local area (see text)

Table 2. Species recorded at locations visited on the local field trips showing approximate numbers observed over 2-day period. See table 1 for location data. For species without location details see text above. All numbers refer to adults. No species were recorded from a site only as larvae. Scientific Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Calopteryx aequabilis 6 Calopteryx maculata 32 30 42 Lestes disjunctus 26 15 Lestes dryas 12 Lestes eurinus 43 Lestes forcipatus 13 Lestes rectanguaris 6 2 Argia fumipennis violacea 2 Argia moesta 60 200 50 24 Chromagrion conditum 2 2 Enallagma antennatum 6

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Enallagma aspersum 2 Enallagma carunculatum 4 20 45 1 Enallagma civile 4 Enallagma cyathigerum 36 Enallagma ebrium 35 230 10 Enallagma exsulans 60 40 5 Enallagma geminatum 45 Enallagma hageni 1 1 2 1 Enallagma signatum 2 1 Ischnura verticalis 21 16 25 13 Nehalennia irene 16 60 70 50 Aeshna canadensis 4 32 6 1 50 Aeshna tuberculifera 1 2 3 Aeshna umbrosa 2 1 Anax junius 14 7 4 Basiaeshna janata 1 Boyeria vinosa 2 spinosus 35 8 2 1 1 1 2 Gomphus adelphus 2 1 1 Gomphus exilis 2 8 1 Gomphus fraternus 9 7 Gomphus quadricolor 10 Gomphus vastas 25 Hagenius brevistylus 1 5 1 1 11 1 6 Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis 9 Stylogomphus albistylus 13 Stylurus notatus 5 Cordulegaster diastatops 1 Cordulegaster maculata 1

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Cordulegaster obliqua 2 Didymops transversa 4 1 Macromia illinoiensis 5 3 1 Cordulia shurtleffii 1 Dorocordulia libera 15 1 1 Epitheca cynosura 1 1 Epitheca princeps 9 7 5 2 6 4 1 Neurocordulia yamaskanensis 4 Somatochlora walshii 4 Somatochlora williamsoni 8 2 Celithemis elisa 200 40 Celithemis eponina 12 2 1 Erythemis simplicicollis 1 3 Ladona julia 2 4 Leucorrhinia frigida 2 20 Leucorrhinia hudsonica 1 Leucorrhinia intacta 30 5 50 Leucorrhinia proxima 20 Libellula incesta 1 3 Libellula luctuosa 10 1 20 8 Libellula pulchella 30 5 25 12 Libellula quadrimaculata 4 1 7 15 3 Nannothemis bella 1 Pantala flavescens 3 Plathemis lydia 4 2 1 4 Sympetrum costiferum 400 Sympetrum internum 2 1 2 Sympetrum obtrusum 1 1 230

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