THE AND () OF THE HOLDEN ARBORETUM, LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES, OHIO1

T. E. PERRY Memorial School, Mentor, Ohio 44060

PERRY, T. EDWARD, The dragonflies and retum's streams arise from springs in up- damselflies (Odonata) of the Holden Arbo- retum, Lake and Geauga Counties, Ohio. land areas and course rapidly through Ohio J. Sci. 75(1): 14, 1975. rugged, forested terrain over rock, sand, Thirty of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and gravel bottoms. and twenty species of damselflies (Zygop- The primary aim of this study was to tera) were taken at the Holden Arboretum, Lake and Geauga Counties, Ohio, from discover which species of adult dragon- 1963 through 1973. One additional species flies and damselflies were present within of was sighted. Forty-eight of the arboretum's boundaries and which of the arboretum's odonates frequent stand- the various habitats were occupied by ing water habitats; only three were taken exclusively at stream sites. Certain spe- these species. Secondly, I was interested cies were also commonly associated with new habitats. Notes on the abun- dance and seasonal distribution for each species are given. LAKE ERIE The Holden Arboretum's 2364 acres lie astride the county line between Lake and Geauga Counties in Northeastern Ohio. Lake County lies to the north, Geauga to the south of this boundary (fig. 1). Not all arboretum land is con- LAKE COUNTY | tiguous, but lies within a radius of 2.5 miles from an approximate geographic center. Arboretum land is gently rolling to precipitously hilly; elevations range HOLDEN' ARBORETUM from 750 to a few feet over 1200. About 60% of the arboretum is forested, 40% relatively open. The Chagrin River's GEAUGA COUNTY eastern branch drains the entire area. Holden's soils are mostly clay in the up- lands, sand and gravel in valleys and stream beds. Underlying rocks are Cleve- FIGURE 1. Map of Lake and Geauga Counties, land and Chagrin shales. Glaciers once Ohio, showing location of Holden covered the entire region. Arboretum. A variety of lakes and , all man- in the comparative numbers of the vari- made, punctuate the landscape. The ous species present, along with their largest standing water body covers about seasonal distributions. Figure 2 shows six acres, the smallest is a temporary pond major collecting sites at Holden. fifteen by thirty feet. These lakes and Methods of study were quite elemen- ponds are in various stages of succession; tary. Nets, modified slightly with longer some contain little open water, others are than usual handles, cyanide jars, and almost completely open. Several unique field notebook were the major tools. opportunities were presented to study the Specimens were classified as soon after effects of pond drainage and plant re- capture as feasible because of the rapid moval on odonate populations; a new fading of odonate colors, coloration being pond was also created during the study. so essential to dragonfly . Streams were also explored. The arbo- Keys from books by Garman (1917), Manuscript received November 7, 1973 Needham and Heywood (1929), and (73-75). Needham and Westfall (1955) were used No. 1 HOLDEN ARBORETUM ODONATES 15

EAST BRANCH, CHAGBIN RIVER the relative abundance of each species. North Numbers of odonates listed as common are thirty-four, three were occasional, and fourteen rare. During the summer of 1970 a new pond was dug. The following summer Heath Pond, one of the established water bodies, was drained, old vegetation removed, and re-dug. Subsequent precipitation completely filled these ponds by the

\ spring of 1972. An excellent opportunity to study odonate populations in the in- cipient stages of aquatic succession was thus given. Consistently associated with LAKE COUNT! new pond habitats were six dragonflies: mutata, Anax junius, Epicordulia princeps, Gomphus exilis, Gomphus villo- FIGURE 2. Map of Holden Arboretum, Lake and Geauga Counties, Ohio, show- sipes. Of the damselflies, eight were ing locations of major odonate col- taken consistently at new pond situations: lecting sites (darkened). antennatum, Enallagma asper- sum, Enallagma civile, Enallagma sig- to classify specimens, as were descrip- natum, Ischnura posita, Ischnura verti- tions from Kellicott (1899). Several calis, eurinus, and Lestes rectan- questionable materials were sent to Dr. gularis. Odonates appearing just once D. J. Borror of The Ohio State University at new pond sites were considered ques- for confirmation. tionable : Erythemis simplicicollis, Leucor- Adult dragonflies and damselflies were rhinia intacta, Libellula luctuosa, Libel- taken throughout the flying season dur- lula pulchella, Pachydiplax longipennis, ing the years 1963 through 1973. Perithemis tenera, Tetragoneuria cynosura, Fifty different species of odonates, in- , and Enallagma cluding thirty dragonflies and twenty ebrium. The continuing presence of damselflies, were taken at Holden Arbo- damselflies of the genera Enallagma and retum from 1963 through 1973. One Ischnura was interesting to note in these species of dragonfly, Anax longipes, was "pioneer' situations with minimal plant sighted but not taken. Of these fifty- growth providing cover for both adults one species, forty-eight were collected at and nymphs. The presence of robust, pond and lake habitats, but not exclu- aggressive darners and gomphines was sively. Five of the forty-eight were not surprising however. taken once at lotic sites: Pachydiplax Seasonal data are given in the an- longipennis, Plathemis lydia, Sympetrum notated list of species. The collecting rubicundulum, Enallagma signatum, and season lasted from April through early Lestes rectangularis. Only three odo- November. First and last dates of cap- nates were taken exclusively at the arbo- ture (or sighting, in the cases of a few retum's streams: Boyeria species, Cordule- of the recognizable species on the wing), gaster maculata, and Calopteryx maculata. are recorded. Population peaks are also Criteria for subsuming certain species given as noted in the field. Seasonal as "common," "occasional," and "rare" data were compiled from the entire dura- are arbitrary but seemed to apply. If, tion of the study rather than from any during one collecting season, from four one season, except where only one indi- to ten or twelve individuals of a given vidual of a rare species was taken. species were sighted or taken, the label An annotated list of all species of "occasional" seemed appropriate. "Com- dragonflies and damselflies taken at mon" meant well over this number, Holden Arboretum from 1963 through "rare" applied to three or less indivi- 1973 follows. The list contains observa- duals taken during any one season. The tions made in the field on some of the annotated list contains information on habits of these . Also included 16 T. E. PERRY Vol. 75 are comments on habitats and distribu- Gulch. Adults flew low over rock-bound pools in the gorge during mid-summer. tions. Borror's (1937) number precedes Melissa Perry and I took nymphs at Pier- the species name. Listing is alphabetic son's Creek under the rocks of rapids. according to genera, after the appropriate The immaturity of these nymphs pre- suborder. cluded a more definitive classification. No adults of Boyeria have to date been ANNOTATED LIST OP SPECIES taken. 55 Celithemis elisa (Hagen). An attractive, Anisoptera common species taken mid-June through 37 Aeshna mutata Hagen. This handsome mid-August; has an affinity for vegetation darner was not taken at the arboretum emergent from standing water and dry until 1972, when it appeared in occasional land. Makes occasional sallies over open numbers. In 1973 it became very com- waters. Taken from 30 May through 18 mon. Appears to be an early summer August, with a population peak noted species occurring mid-June to early July mid-July. at both new and established ponds and 56 Celithemis eponina (Drury). An attrac- lakes (12 June through 5 July with a mid- tive, rare species taken twice at Holden, June population peak). once on 26 June 1957, and on 15 July 1965 — Aeshna tuber culifera Walker. Restifo at Corning Lake by Kathy Zamec. (1972) took this darner at the arboretum 42 maculata Selys. Karen Jack- on 18 September 1971 and established a son took one male of this attractive but state record for the species. We took unobtrusive species at Pierson's Creek on this essentially northern species in occa- 27 May 1965. It was flying downstream sional numbers in 1970 as early as 15 in late afternoon. August and as late as 4 October in 1972. 49 Epicordulia princeps (Hagen). Flies well It was flying with Aeshna umbrosa and out from the shores of both established Aeshna verticalis on 3 and 4 October 1972 and new lakes and ponds. It is more read- at heights of from one to about twenty ily taken over land, where it makes oc- feet over an open field near a pond. Most casional sallies, but must be taken on the of these darners had worn, ragged wings. wing as it seldom rests. Active through- 38 Aeshna umbrosa Walker. This common out most of the summer. Common; from late summer, early fall darner was ob- 7 June through 6 September. served flying at twilight and taken 20 August 1972. Seasonal range: 20 August 79 Erythemis simplicicollis (Say). Darts rap- through 3 October. idly from perch to perch along the edges of weedy ponds throughout most of the 39 Aeshna verticalis Hagen. A single male summer. Common; 14 June through 18 was taken 4 October 1972, flying with September; one population peak noted 28 Aeshna tuber culif era and Aeshna umbrosa. July. 31 Anaxjunius (Drury). The familiar, ubiq- 9 Gomphus exilis Selys. Usually perches on uitous green darner is one of the first or very near the ground; found along the dragonflies to appear (April) and last to shores of both new and established ponds disappear (October-November) at the from 30 May through 1 July. Common. arboretum. A swarm of green darners appeared at the Kirtland-Chardon lake 22 Gomphus villosipes Selys. Another com- and pond area on the afternoon of 15 mon low-flying early-summer gomphine September 1972, moving slowly westward found in the vicinity of new and estab- at heights of from one to about one hun- lished ponds. 30 May through 13 July. dred feet. Other darners were present 77 Leucorrhinia intacta (Hagen). One of our then, too, but not in such copious numbers common early-appearing pond species. as the green. Green darners in our col- 21 May through 7 July; peak noted 14 lection were taken 26 April through 6 June. October, with peaks noted early through 64 Libellula luctuosa Burmeister. One of the mid-September. most common dragonflies at Holden. 32 Anax longipes Hagen. Sightings only are Found primarily at established lakes and recorded for this handsome, strong-flying, ponds throughout the summer (21 May elusive species. Sightings were made at through 15 September). Population peaks close range (but out of net range) on 29 occurred 17 July and 4 September. June and 15 July 1965, and on 13 July 66 Libellula pulchella Drury. This common 1972. Sightings were at Corning Lake, dragonfly was found throughout the sum- Foster and Heath Ponds, and at the Kirt- mer in a variety of standing-water habi- land-Chardon area. tats. Has an affinity for temporary, shal- 28 Basiaeshna janata (Say). A small darner low waters; an especially adept flier. 16 that suddenly appeared in common num- June through 18 August. bers toward the end of May, then disap- 68 Libellula semifasciata Burmeister. One peared in mid-June. An active species male was taken at a temporary pond at that courses the edges of the larger ponds. the Kirtland-Chardon area 14 June 1970. Common, from 21 May through 9 June. It, too, was an adroit flier; rare. — Boyeria species. Tkac (1973) observed 78 Pachydiplax longipennis (Burmeister). A adults and took nymphs at Stebbin's common, ubiquitous species taken at No. 1 HOLDEN ARBORETUM ODONATES 17

streams, lakes, and ponds. Prefers the summer (18 June through 18 July). weedy shallows of standing water sites. Shelagh Alexander took several with one 7 June through 18 August; population flourish of her net at Pierson's Creek on peaks 9 June, 22 July. 6 July 1973. 80 Pantala flavescens (Fabricius). An excel- 110 (Say). This ele- lent flier, taken in occasional numbers gantly-colored is common in above fields near ponds and lakes in late early summer (18 June through 1 July) at summer, primarily. 10 June through 5 pond margins where vegetation grows October. rank and tall. 81 Pantala hymenaea (Say). Rare; one fe- 111 (Hagen). Common male was taken 3 July 1971 at the Button- at a newly-dug pond in 1972 from 15 June bush-Blueberry Pond area. through 26 August. Found in association 54 Perithemis tenera (Say). This petite, with its congener Enallagma civile. common species skims over the weedy 114 Enallagma civile (Hagen). An attractive shallows of established lakes and ponds; damselfly commonly found at new pond from 17 June through 6 September. situations and at some established ponds Peaks noted 7, 14, 28 July, and 26 August. where vegetation was sparse. It and 65 Plathemis lydia (Drury). Another com- Enallagma aspersum were most abundant mon, widespread species with a partiality in these "pioneer-like" situations. Dates for new pond sites. Perches on bare run from 15 June through 29 August. ground and rock surfaces. Found from 140 Enallagma cyathigerum (Charpentier). A 20 May through 28 July. single male was taken 21 June 1973 at New 72 Sympetrum obtrusum (Hagen). Rare; just Pond. Price (1958) recorded it for Ohio. one male taken 15 August 1972 at Kirtland- 117 Enallagma ebrium (Hagen). Appears to Chardon. be a wide-ranging early-summer species 73 Sympetrum rubicundulum (Say). A very (30 May through 29 June); common. common, widespread species found 119 Kellicott. All our throughout the summer (18 June through specimens were collected at the Kirtland- 18 August). Chardon pond sites in mid-summer (28 74 Sympetrum semicinctum (Say). Rare; one July through 15 August); common. male taken 15 September at the Kirtland- 121 Enallagma signatum (Hagen). Common Chardon area. and ubiquitous species found in new pond 76 Sympetrum vicinum (Hagen). A common situations, streams, and established wa- late-summer and fall species. We seem terbodies (12 June through 15 August). to agree with Kellicott's (1899) field ob- 122 Enallagma traviatum Selys. Rare; one servations on the lateness of this species in male taken 6 July 1973 at the Kirtland- autumn. 18 August through 8 November. Chardon area. 50 Tetragoneuria cynosura (Say). This late 123 Calvert. Collected spring species (22 May through 23 June) throughout the last portion of summer was taken over all kinds of standing- at established ponds and lakes, primarily. water surfaces. Common. Common; taken from 5 July through 15 83 Tramea lacerata Hagen. A strong flier, September. taken only occasionally over established, 124 Ischnura posita (Hagen). Unobtrusive, often shallow ponds. 7 June through 15 common; flies among weedy growth of September. pond margins, including new sites; early 84 Tramea onusta Hagen. Just two speci- summer species (6 May through 13 July). mens of this attractive species were taken, 126 Ischnura verticalis (Say). Common, wide- a male 18 May 1965 and a female 12 spread; enjoys a long flight season (7 September 1965, both at the Kirtland- May through 6 September) in a variety Chardon area. Rare. of lake and pond sites. Prefers to be near vegetation, dense and tall, that borders Zygoptera standing waters. Also found in new pond 106 Amphiagrion saucium (Burmeister). All situations. our specimens of this attractive little 93 Lestes eurinus Say. Seems to have an damselfly were taken 21 May through 21 affinity for new pond habitats; common at June 1964 at the Kirtland-Chardon area; such sites. 21 June through 13 July. we've not seen or taken it since. Need- 95 Lestes inaequalis Walsh. Appears a late- ham and Heywood (1929) report it never spring species at Holden; rare. 1 June found far from small meadow streams and through 17 June. weedy, spring-fed marshes; we took it in 96 Lestes rectangularis Say. Found in a similar surroundings, highly localized. variety of habitats including newly-formed 105 fumipennis violacea (Hagen). A ponds; common, from 21 June through 18 common damselfly present during most of July. the summer at Holden (17 June through 98 Lestes unguiculatus Hagen. Rare at Hol- 26 August). It seems to prefer open den; taken at the Kirtland-Chardon lakes areas near pond margins. area from 23 June through 15 August. 87 Calopteryx maculata (Beauvois). The 99 Lestes vigilax Hagen. Another rare spe- black-winged damselfly is common at cies taken in the tall weeds and shrubs of Pierson's Creek, Stebbin's Gulch, and the the Kirtland-Chardon area, from 26 June Chargrin River's east branch in early through 22 August. 18 T. E. PERRY Vol. 75 108 Nehalennia irene (Hagen). This dainty, number were also taken at stream sites. diminutive species was taken from 17 through 21 June at Hourglass Pond; Taken exclusively at stream sites were common. just three odonates: Boyeria species, Cordulegaster maculata, and Calopteryx SUMMARY maculata. Consistently associated with Fifty odonates, 30 dragonflies (Ani- new pond habitats were six dragonflies: soptera), and 20 damselflies (Zygoptera) Aeshna mutata, Anax junius, Epicordulia were taken at Holden Arboretum from princeps, Gomphus exilis, Gomphus villo- 1963 through 1973. One species, Anax sipes, and Plathemis lydia. Eight dam- longipes, was sighted. By families, this selflies were taken consistently at new includes: 8 species of , 1 of pond situations: Enallagma antennatum, Cordulegasteridae, 2 of Gomphidae, 2 of Enallagma aspersum, Enallagma civile, Corduliidae, 18 of Libellulidae, 1 of Enallagma signatum, Ischnura posita, Calopterygidae, 5 of , and 14 of Ischnura verticalis, Lestes eurinus, and . All species taken were Lestes rectangularis. Libellula pulchella, adult forms except Boyeria, which was of the dragonflies, frequented temporary taken in the nymphal stage. pools of standing water. Pantala flave- On abundance, 34 odonates were con- scens was observed and taken only above sidered common (over 10 or 12 taken per land surfaces, sometimes near, but never season), representing 66%. Only 3 (6%) above water. were considered occasional (from 4 to 10 Acknowledgments. Some of my students as- or 12 taken per season): Aeshna tuber- sisted with the collections. Among these were: culifera, Pantala flavescens, and Tramea Tim Ashmore, Karen Jackson, Nancy Mitchell, lacerata. Listed as rare (3 or less taken Roy Robinson, and Kathy Zamec. Especially to be thanked are Leslie Adams, Shelagh per season) were: Aeshna verticalis, Anax Alexander, and Melissa Perry for their sus- longipes, Celithemis eponina, Cordule- tained interest in the project. Also to be gaster maculata, Libellula semifasciata, thanked are R. Henry Norweb, Director of the Pantala hymenaea, Sympetrum obtrusum, Holden Arboretum, Douglas Yates of the arbo- retum staff, Dr. D. J. Borror of The Ohio State Sympetrum semicinctum, Tramea onusta, University, and Dr. Ralph W. Dexter, Depart- Enallagma cyathigerum, Enallagma tra- ment of Biological Sciences, Kent State Uni- viatum, Lestes inaequalis, Lestes unguicu- versity, whose friendly counsel is always latus, and Lestes vigilax (14, or 28%). appreciated. Single-specimen records, as a further LITERATURE CITED breakdown of the rare category, exist for: Borror, D. J. 1937. An annotated list of the Aeshna verticalis, Cordulegaster maculata, dragonflies (Odonata) of Ohio. Ohio J. Sci. Libellula semifasciata, Pantala hymenaea, 37: 185-196. Sympetrum obtrusum, Sympetrum semi- Garman, Philip. 1917. The Zygoptera, or cinctum, Enallagma cyathigerum, and Damsel-flies of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History Enallagma traviatum. The most common 12: 411-587. dragonflies at Holden would probably in- Kellicott, David S. 1899. The Odonata of clude: Anax junius, Libellula luctuosa, Ohio. Ohio State Academy of Science, Spe- Celithemis elisa, and Sympetrum rubi- cial Papers 2. 116 pp. cundulum. Ischnura verticalis would most Needham, J. G. and H. B. Heywood. 1929. A handbook of the dragonflies of North America. likely prove the commonest damselfty, C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. 378 pp. with Argia fumipennis violacea running a Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall, Jr. 1955. close second. A shift in population was A manual of the dragonflies of North America noted for Aeshna mutata, which was not (Anisoptera). University of California Press, Berkeley. 615 pp. taken at the arboretum until 1972, during Price, H. F. 1958. Additional notes on the which year it was only occasional; in dragonflies of northwestern Ohio. Ohio J. 1973 it became very common. Am- Sci. 58: 50-62. phiagrion saucium was common within a Restifo, Robert A. 1972. Aeshna tuberculifera Walker, a new Ohio record. Ohio J. Sci. 72: local area in 1964, but has not been taken 183. since. Tkac, Martin A. 1973. The Plecoptera and associated aquatic insects of Stebbins Gulch. As to habitat, a clear majority of Hol- Unpub. M. A. thesis, Dept. of Biological Sci- den's odonates were taken at standing- ences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. water sites (48, or 94%). A few of this 217 pp.