Inventory of Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) at Fire Island National Seashore
Briggs N, Schneider EG, Sones J, Puryear K. 2010. Inventory of Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) at Fire Island National Seashore. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCBN/NRTR—2010/295. NPS Natural Resource Program Center. Fort Collins, Colorado
In order to expand knowledge of odonate biodiversity and to make recommendations for management, we conducted a comprehensive baseline inventory of dragonflies and damselflies (Class Insecta, Order Odonata) at Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS), Suffolk 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. 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, 27 species of odonates were documented across 18 of the 34 sites surveyed. Two New York state listed species were observed, Rambur’s forktail (Ischnura ramburii) and Needham’s skimmer (Libellula needhamii). Of the 847 individuals sighted during 2004 and 2005, 92 were collected as voucher specimens, representing 25 of the 27 species recorded. The most widely distributed species included common green darner (Anax junius), seaside dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice), painted skimmer (Libellula semifasciata), and spot-winged glider (Pantala hymenaea). Of all sites surveyed during 2004 and 2005, Kismet Pond showed the greatest abundance (n = 481 indiviuals) and species riches (0.85) of odonates Migration events were not observed during odonate surveys; however, a migration event was documented by one researcher at Bellport Beach at the Otis Pike Wilderness Area during 2004. Overall, FIIS contains few habitats that are appropriate for odonate reproduction; however, several sites offer good foraging and migration habitat.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Briggs, Nina; Schneider, Eric; Sones, Jackie; Puryear, Kristen
- Date of Issue
- 2010-03-01
- Publisher
- NPS Natural Resource Program Center
- Units
- FIIS , NCBN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Abundance (Biodiversity), Biodiversity, Damselflies, Distribution (Biodiversity), Dragonflies, Fire Island National Seashore, HTLN_Other Inventory Reports , Insect, Inventory, Migration, Observations, odonate, Presence (Biodiversity), Vouchers