Inventory of Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Briggs N. Inventory of Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. 2004-2005
We conducted a comprehensive baseline inventory of dragonflies and damselflies (Class Insecta, Order Odonata) at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (SAHI) in Nassau County, New York. During 2004 and 2005 we conducted a checklist inventory at sites where odonates could potentially breed, as well as at potential migratory and foraging sites. Checklist walks are unrestricted, complete searches that provide an efficient means for initial determination of species presence. During the combined 2004 and 2005 field seasons, 22 species of odonates were documented across 7 survey sites. One state-listed species, comet darner (Anax longipes), was recorded at Field East Lot during 2004. This was the first recorded sighting of a comet darner in Nassau County. During 2004 and 2005, 291 individuals were sighted and 45 were collected as voucher specimens, representing 17 of the 22 species recorded. The most abundant odonate species at SAHI were common green darner (Anax junius), fragile forktail (Ischnura posita), great blue skimmer (Libellula vibrans), and black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata). Fields were the most widely used and important habitat for odonates at SAHI. In particular, Field East Lot and Field West of House supported the greatest species richness and abundance of odonates. Although we did not observe any migration events during our study, we believe that odonates likely use the fields at SAHI during migration. Overall, SAHI contains good foraging habitat and potential habitat for migrating odonates, but lacks suitable breeding habitat.
- Type
- Project
- Authors
- Briggs, Nina
- Units
- NCBN , SAHI
- Keywords
- Abundance (Biodiversity), Biodiversity, Damselflies, Distribution (Biodiversity), Dragonflies, Insect, Inventory, Migration, Observations, odonate, Presence (Biodiversity), Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, Vouchers
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Terrestrial Invertebrates