Species of the Month

Argia fraudatricula male. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 6 October 2022. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

July 2026  Dragonfly Society of the Americas

Species of the Month: Argia fraudatricula

Our July DSA species of the month is (Argia fraudatricula) in the family Coenagrionidae, the narrow-winged or pond damselflies. Little is known about the size and the habitat of this species. Join Wisconsin Dragonfly Society Vice-President Emily Hjalmarson and her husband, Brett Roberts, on their Ecuadorian adventure spotting this rare damselfly.

A Rare Discovery

Butterflies like poop. Yes, you read that right. You might be thinking “this is a blog about odonates, not butterflies, and certainly not about poop!” But bear with me and you’ll see how this fact led to an exciting damselfly rediscovery in Ecuador through our involvement in citizen science.

Butterflies assemble in large groups we call “puddle parties” to sponge up minerals with their proboscis from a variety of substrates, including wet sand, gravel, carcasses, rotting trash, and—as we said—poop. A makeshift, well-frequented highway “rest stop” along Rio Challwayacu in the Napo Province of Ecuador has many of these attractants, making it the perfect mainstay stop for butterfly tours. 

The locals probably found us an odd sight when we stopped there with our group in October 2022; pointing cameras at the littered ground of a gravel pull-off spot on the side of the road. Many of our shots from this location have some unsavory background items. We used a more family-friendly image from a different beach for the closeup.

Butterfly photographers in action. Rio Challwayacu pull-off, Napo Province , Ecuador. 6 October 2022. Photo: Brett Roberts. (Inset) Nine species puddle party. Rio Jatunyacu, Tena, Ecuador. 7 October 2022. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

On what started out as a sunny day along Rio Challwayacu,  my husband, Brett, and I were also on the lookout for odonates. We saw several species new to us, including Argia variegata, Erythrodiplax ines, and a Teinopodagrion species.

Teinopodagrion, possibly depressum, male and female. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 6 October 2022. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

We ventured further upriver from the group and that’s when I saw it: A tiny damselfly with a green (?!) thorax. Knowing this was something special, Brett and I struggled to follow it as it flitted between the pools of water between large pale boulders on the river’s edge. Clouds rolled in from a developing rainstorm. The overcast skies made it more difficult to pick out in flight, and challenging for good photos when it eventually landed again. The gusty winds blew the damselfly out of sight as we approached for closer shots. We couldn’t find any more individuals and had to make a run for it back to the bus before getting caught in the downpour.

Argia fraudatricula male. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 6 October 2022. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

After an amazing trip, we returned home and started the monumental task of going through our 14,000 photos, identifying them, and uploading them to the citizen science database of iNaturalist. We searched for IDs among our own resources, and received valuable help from our tour guide, the iNaturalist community, and other experts. Brett and I ended up with more than 1,800 species across all taxa. But our green damselfly was nowhere to be found in the existing photos anywhere online. Thanks to iNaturalist’s helpful community-based identification, another user got us in touch with Dennis Paulson, who contacted another expert, Rosser Garrison, and he gave us our answer. Argia fraudatricula!

Habitat of Argia fraudatricula. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 6 October 2022. Photo: Brett Roberts.

According to Rosser in 2023, ours was the first photo of a living A. fraudatricula since it was first discovered in Peru in 1936. Specimens were collected during the 1930s and 1940s in Ecuador by William Clarke-Macintyre and David B. Laddey, but it had not been recorded in the 75 years since, despite many field surveys in the area. According to Clarke-Macintyre’s field notes, the green color faded quickly on the deceased specimens he collected, especially since his work was also interrupted by a rainstorm and his lodging was a “provisional palm-tent made hastily.” Our photos confirmed the thorax was indeed green in life, a feature unique to this species within the Argia genus.

 Elated with this exciting find, we reached out to our butterfly tour guide, Andrew Neild, who was just about to leave for another tour to the same area. We told him about this special species. He went back with his group to the same site on Rio Challwayacu and found the same species two years later! He took beautiful shots of another male perching on the exact same river boulders.

Argia fraudatricula male. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 25 October 2024. Photo: Andrew Neild (used with permission)

Knowing this was a notable find, he took care to document habitat and behavior notes, such as how they were skittish and preferred the quieter pools of water closer to the river between the larger, taller river boulders. He is likely the first to photograph a female, as he found a pair of A. fraudatricula ovipositing in damp moss! Our observation along with Andrew’s and his valuable field notes may be included in a future publication about the Argia genus.

Argia fraudatricula female and male. Rio Challwayacu, Napo Province, Ecuador. 25 October 2024. Photo: Andrew Neild (used with permission)

Since our observation in 2022, iNaturalist has had two other sightings from Ecuador, both from Rio Hollin Grande at a site about six kilometers away from our observation. There is also a more recent iNaturalist submission with an observation date of 2011 in Bolivia, which appears to be on a similarly pale river boulder near a similarly sized flowing river. It’s exciting to see others observing this unique species at different sites.

 Despite starting with butterflies on poop, this story is an example of how citizen science can assist in expanding knowledge about lesser-known odonate species. We are honored that our observations from several countries led to our photos being used by various sources, ranging from published field guides to online educational references. We encourage readers to contribute to citizen science, especially when visiting sites less travelled by ode enthusiasts. Who knows? You might find something exciting in an unexpected place!

Emily Hjalmarson’s love of odonates started with her graduate studies in Oklahoma. She is currently the vice-president of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society. Emily and her husband, Brett Roberts, are all-around naturalists and major contributors to various citizen-science platforms including iNaturalist and a Wisconsin-based odonate database that she volunteers to manage. They frequently travel around their home state surveying for odes, and have recently branched out to explore other states in the United States and countries like Bulgaria, Ecuador, and Peru.

Species of the Month

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) male, White River State Natural Area Hwy D Bridge, Berlin, Wisconsin. 9 August 2025. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

DSA Species of the Month June 2026

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia)

DSA’s Species of the Month for June is the Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia). This damselfly, in the family Calopterygidae (the broad-winged damselflies), is up to two inches in length, and often found along shaded streams with vegetation. Dennis Paulson, in his Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East, notes that the Smoky Rubyspot’s range stretches south to Costa Rica, and north into the midwestern and eastern United States, including western Oklahoma and Texas. Join naturalist Brett Roberts and Emily Hjalmarson as they encounter this fascinating damselfly in central Wisconsin.

An Unexpected Sighting

The weekend forecast was almost 90°F and muggy, with a high chance of thunderstorms. Since it was the perfect time of year for late-season clubtails to start flying, the potentially disappointing survey conditions didn’t stop us from heading to Green Lake county in central Wisconsin to scour the rivers for Stylurus,  the “hanging clubtails”.

As my wife Emily and I arrived, a storm was already rolling in. After seeing only a few meadowhawks, forktails, one Blue-tipped Dancer (Argia tibialis), and a few American Rubyspots (Hetaerina americana), we decided to take one last look at the highway bridge crossing. That’s when we saw something different lurking in the shadows cast by the gathering clouds. 

A Smoky Rubyspot! Could it be? August 9th was too early for Smokies to be remotely on our minds, especially this far north. We were 75 miles north of the known populations in the state.

Emily struggled to get an initial “doc shot” while I ran to retrieve the long lens. Of course, with the oncoming storm, we had left that in the safety of the car! After getting better shots, Emily noticed two other perched males. I approached carefully to attempt netting one to ensure our ID was 100 percent solid. Success! We released him after getting our macro photos. He took off for shelter in the riverbank vegetation. Moments later, rain started pelting down, and temperatures plunged from 90°F to 65°F in a matter of minutes. The storms lasted through the next afternoon, and although we were stuck in a coffee shop instead of surveying, we excitedly planned where to look for this species next.

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) male, White River State Natural Area Hwy D Bridge, Berlin, Wisconsin. 9 August 2025. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

Wisconsin odonate enthusiasts like us are lucky to have the Department of Natural Resources’ citizen-science database, the Wisconsin Odonata Survey (WOS), for accessing decades of species’ observations submitted by users from across the state. According to WOS, Smoky Rubyspots were previously known from only a handful of sites in southern Wisconsin, with most observations occurring in late August through September. This species can superficially resemble its cousin, the American Rubsypot, especially in Wisconsin where individuals never seem to have the fully dark wings that some do in other parts of the species’ range. Compared to Americans, male Smokies have a darker thorax and dark wingtips, and here they tend to have a smaller patch of red at the base of the wings. 

We used aerial photos to select river crossings to search since we are limited to foot surveying, and not many riverside areas are public land. This strategy is hit or miss. Some spots are too high for a good view of the river or lack a safe pull-off spot. We checked counties closer to the original known populations (and closer to home!), but didn’t have success until mid-September. Again, we happened upon them when we were more focused on Stylurus. During this time, two other ode enthusiasts had success in the southern counties, adding two new rivers in three new counties to the list.

Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps), Embarrass River crossing of Cty Hwy I, Clintonville, Wisconsin. 28 September 2025. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

A small park in Jefferson County seemed promising since it offered more survey ground than just a highway bridge. Upon arrival, our spirits fell as we saw only a small plastic dock covered in shade with no additional shoreline access. Through the sun-dappling, we saw something flitting its way towards us, landing at our feet on the plastic dock. This time—too close for the long lens—I resorted to iPhone shots of a male Smoky! Emily maneuvered carefully backwards, fully expecting him to disappear into the darkness of the impenetrable forested riverbank, but surprisingly he didn’t budge and she nabbed a higher quality shot.

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) male, Bark River Canoe Landing off Cty Hwy E, Sullivan, Wisconsin. 13 September 2025. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson (right), Brett Roberts (left).

A quick look over the guardrail on the other side of the road yielded three more males! Based on what we had observed about this species so far, they seem to like moderate flow rivers/streams with log jams and a mixed covering of sun and shade. Buoyed by our unexpected success, we followed the river into the neighboring county and found a similar park with an almost identical shade-covered plastic dock. This time, we were prepared and approached slowly. The Smokies put on a show, dancing around the dock in tandem pairs. Several Argia species also joined in. We now knew what would occupy our next two weekends. How many more counties could we find them in? How much further north than this would we find them?

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) habitats on Embarrass River, 28 September 2025. (A) Crossing of Hwy 76, New London, Wisconsin Photo: Brett Roberts. (B) Crossing of Cty Hwy I, Clintonville, Wisconsin. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson. (C) Crossing of Spurr Rd, New London, Wisconsin. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson. (D) Crossing of Cty Hwy F, Bear Creek, Wisconsin. Photo: Brett Roberts.

We stayed south the first weekend and failed, so north we went! We happily relocated them at our initial discovery spot and followed the White River to find a lone male roughly seven miles north as the dragonfly flies, but none at two sites on the same river further north. The next day, we had even loftier aspirations. We drove 40 miles northeast to the Embarrass River, which had several promising-looking crossings. On our second stop, we hit paydirt with 11 males! We kept pushing northwards along the river and found Smoky Rubyspots at three more sites, including females.

Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia) female, Embarrass River Crossing of Hwy 76, New London, Wisconsin. 28 September 2025. Photo: Emily Hjalmarson.

Daylight was fading, which put an end to our northerly travels. But–we beat our previous northern record by 51 miles! These observations may represent the new northern limit of this species’ global range according to WOS, iNaturalist, and Odonata Central data.

Left panel - Map of Wisconsin Smoky Rubyspot observations new for 2025 (yellow counties) and previous records (green counties). New river systems are shown in blue. Right panel: Range of Smoky Rubyspot in the US from OdonataCentral submissions. Yellow counties are new records for 2025. Figure: Emily Hjalmarson.

Do our new 2025 Wisconsin records represent a colonization push by the species? Maybe most ode enthusiasts had put down their nets by mid/late September, so have other individuals gone unreported? Could Smokies be overlooked as just a plain old American Rubyspot? Or maybe it was just an odd year? 

We hope our 2026 flight season surveys can help shed light on these questions.

Brett Roberts and his wife, Emily Hjalmarson, are all-around naturalists and major contributors to the WOS and plan their outings to help expand the understanding of odonate species distribution in Wisconsin. They try to answer questions like: Is a species not reported from a county because it doesn’t exist there or because the county has too few surveys to detect it? If there are no records from the last 10 years, is that because the habitat has changed and the species no longer exists there, or has no one surveyed in the right areas in recent years? They also travel across the United States and internationally with a focus on the natural world, and never pass up the opportunity to document any odonata they may find. 

Species of the Month

Male Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella). Bunker Lake Regional Park, Coon Rapids, Minnesota. (10-October 2021). Photo copyright David Doyle.

Dragonfly Society of the Americas’

May “Species of the Month”:

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)


Our May DSA “Species of the Month” is the Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) in the family Libellulidae, or “Skimmers”. It is large for a skimmer at 50 mm or about two inches long, and often found in lakes, bogs, ponds, open fields and prairies across much of the United States and southern Canada. Join dragonfly chaser David Doyle as he encounters this delightful species while involved in a Minnesota Odonata survey.

A Perennial Dragonfly Favorite

During the relatively short season in Minnesota, I try to get out every day to hunt for dragonflies. Often, I go with other members of the Minnesota Dragonfly Society, since it helps to have multiple eyes in the search. Often, we are asked to survey a particular property or preserve for odonates. This was the case with Belwin Nature Preserve near Aspen, Minnesota, on a beautiful June day in 2021. Several members and I joined a Belwin volunteer for three hours, searching the area for odonata. We were excited to see what we would find.

When you show up near standing water almost anywhere in North America, one dragonfly will often appear: the Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella). It can easily be identified from 50 feet away or more. The male has distinctive black and white spotted wings.

Maturing male Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella. Belwin Nature Preserve, near Afton, Minnesota, (23 June 2021). Photo copyright David Doyle.

The female has the same black wing pattern without the white spots, and she won’t develop the abdominal pruinosity of the mature male. Twelve-spotted Skimmers are usually the largest skimmer (averaging about 2 inches long, or 50 mm) at a pond. This helps make it one of the easier dragonflies to identify.

Female Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella). Ham Lake City Park, Ham Lake, Minnesota (3 June 2021). Photo copyright David Doyle.

This “King Skimmer” is aggressively territorial, and according to Odonate expert Dennis Paulson, it will command a chosen spot of as much as one thousand square feet or 93 square meters. It is easy to overlook or dismiss a dragonfly that is so commonly seen. But what a stunning dragonfly it is!  Watching a Twelve-spotted Skimmer glide over the water is guaranteed to capture your attention.

We had a good-sized group that went out together that day. It included Terry Carr, Barry Mullin, Curt Oien, Cathy Perkins, and Dianne Rowse from the Minnesota Dragonfly Society, and Dllona Clendennen, a Belwin volunteer.

Left to right: Dllona Clendennen, Dianne Rowse, Curt Oien, and Barry Mullin, Belwin Nature Center, near Afton, Minnesota (23 June 23, 2021). Photo copyright David Doyle.

Whenever I am dragonfly hunting, I always hope I will discover a “lifer” insect—or at least one that is rarely found. Such was not to be the case at Belwin Nature Center, as everything our group discovered was a frequently-seen insect.

Left to right: Terry Carr, Barry Mullin, Cathy Perkins, Dllona Clendennen, and Dianne Rowse, Belwin Nature Center, near Aspen, Minnesota. (23 June 2021). Photo copyright David Doyle.

But, these species were no less beautiful for being so common. They included Widow Skimmers (Libellula luctuosa), Common Green Darners (Anax junius), and Dot-tailed Whitefaces (Leucorrhinia intacta).

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa), Belwin Nature Center, near Aspen, Minnesota. (23 June 2021).

I also took a blurry photo of a dying clubtail of undetermined species and an unidentified spreadwing that I failed to get a good photo of.

Oh, well! Such are the joys and disappointments of being a dragonfly chaser.

Bio: This month’s blogger is Dave Doyle, age 79, who has been chasing dragonflies for about 18 years. He’s pretty sure he won’t stop until old age and poor health makes him! His personal photo log includes over 100 species, and he limits himself to looking for odonata within 100 miles of his home.

Species of the Month

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) adult, note the hairy abdomen, Minnesota (July 2017). Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

Dragonfly Society of the Americas’ April “Species of the Month”:

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta)

DSA’s March “Species of the Month” is the rare Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta), in the family Corduliidae, the Emerald dragonflies. The Quebec Emerald is about 5 centimeters in body length (just under 2 inches). According to Dennis Paulson in Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East, it is found in “shallow patterned fens with sedges and mosses.” The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notes the Quebec Emerald’s range includes Newfoundland to the east, then westward to British Columbia, Canada, with four known populations in northern Minnesota. Tag along on an adventure with DSA President Ami Thompson as she investigates this elusive species.

A Rare and Radiant Peatland Specialist

In the vast, shifting carpet of Minnesota’s patterned peatlands, the Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) exists as a boreal phantom. It is a specialist of bogs and fens and stands out as one of the rarest Odonata species in North America. My experiences with this species were all based in Minnesota which is home to massive swaths of peatlands; the largest in the continental United States. 

Despite their size they face significant threats from habitat alteration and disturbance. Specifically through peat mining, attempted draining via ditching or wild rice farming which can disrupt the delicate hydrological balance these ecosystems require. Furthermore, industrial risks from sulfide mining and chemical or flow alterations caused by railroad tracks and highways pose serious dangers. Global climate change threatens to shift the southern edge of the boreal biome northward, potentially eventually extirpating specialized species from the state. Because it relies on these delicate, low-nutrient environments and breeds in small water-filled hollows the Quebec Emerald was designated a species of special concern in Minnesota in 2013. 

As with nearly all conservation issues, how people use land represents a complex medley of cultural, economic, and historical needs. While these industrial and climatic factors pose real risks, conservation in the 21st century requires a pragmatic lens. In fact, people and organizations associated with wild rice farming, pipelines, and sulfide mining were vital in supporting various aspects of this S. brevicincta research. 

A Search from the Skies

Finding this rare creature required extraordinary measures. Minnesota Dragonfly Society (MDS) dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers acquired grant funding and then conducted aerial adult and aquatic nymph surveys in extremely remote places, such as the Red Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area. The “ground” in these massive continuous peatlands consists of floating mats of plants and their roots, making traditional foot travel nearly impossible, and vehicle access out of the question. 

To reach these understudied ecosystems, my MDS colleagues—including specialists like Curt Oien, Kurt Mead, Mitchell Haag, and Scott King—and I hopped out of a helicopter onto the floating mats of vegetation because there was no solid ground for a landing. These surveys were among the first in-depth looks at these ecosystems through a dragonfly-focused lens, and allowed us to begin to identify the habitat needs of this rare dragonfly.

The helicopter leaving after dropping us off in the peatland. Minnesota (July 2017).  Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

While hunting for adult Quebec Emeralds we would often spot a mystery “something” patrolling among the tamaracks and black spruce. With aerial nets in hand, we would awkwardly slosh-run through the difficult terrain sinking to ankles or knees with each step, to chase down these elusive fliers. Too often all we caught was frustration when we peered into our nets only to discover we had captured a much more common resident, such as the Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) or the Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), rather than our rare target. 

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) alighted on Kurt Mead at the end of a long day while we waited for the helicopter to come get us, Minnesota (July 2017).  Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

When finally netted and held to the light, the adult Quebec Emerald reveals a stunning metallic brilliance, its deep ebony-green thorax shimmering with a polished luster. This radiant specialist is well described by its species name brevicincta—it has remarkably thin or short (“brevi”) pale white rings that wrap around the abdomen like delicate belts (“cincta”). Unlike many of its smoother-bodied cousins, the Quebec Emerald is notably hirsute; its abdomen is covered in dorsal hairs, giving it a fuzzy, textured appearance. Combined with the brilliant, jewel-like green eyes characteristic of the Somatochlora genus, it is a striking contrast to the dark, tea-colored waters of the peatland.

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) adult, note the hairy abdomen, Minnesota (July 2017). Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

Finding the nymphs in addition to the adults was essential because dragonflies spend the vast majority of their lives—often several years—as aquatic larvae. Identifying their specific larval habitat needs allowed us to begin to paint the picture of the precise conditions they require to lay eggs and successfully mature into adults. When we discovered an individual nymph tucked away in those tiny pools, a huge sense of elation and celebration was a hard-won reward for our persistence.

Mitch Haag dip netting for Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) nymphs, Minnesota (July 2017).  Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

The hunt for Quebec Emerald nymphs was an exercise in extreme patience: hours of surveying the remote landscape flowed into days of intense searching. They were incredibly difficult to find because they breed in very small, water-filled hollows tucked within mossy fens called “flarks”. Our surveys suggest that this rare species is entirely dependent on peatland habitats. Many larvae found in Minnesota were living adjacent water-filled game trails in poor fens within open acid peatland systems. On drier days, I was able to find individual nymphs by stomping down the saturated sphagnum with my feet until I created a small, water-filled divot, allowing me to sweep my aquatic net through the temporary puddle.

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) nymph with the tiny small peatland pool where it was collected from in the background, Minnesota (July 2017).  Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

Somatochlora species nymphs are characterized by robust stout brown bodies with long legs. Their abdomens are also usually covered with coarse, bristly setae. For the Quebec Emerald specifically, the lack of dorsal hooks and location and amount of these body hairs are critical for determining identification. These hairs, among other features, help distinguish them from the members within Somatochlora or those from other similar less hairy genera.

Quebec Emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta) nymph photographed by Marla Garrison. Image copyright Marla Garrison.

In the field, these characteristics make them a challenge to find because the larvae get wrapped up in wet sphagnum moss when collected in a dip net. This makes them nearly impossible to see at first glance. We spent hours gently pulling apart the sphagnum moss strand by strand, meticulously searching for the small, hairy bodies of these rare specialists hidden within the vegetation. We quickly learned to be very careful while searching because those all-important setae easily rubbed off, making nymph identification even more difficult. 

Balancing the Rare and the Abundant

While the Quebec Emerald represents the extreme edge of niche specialization, my other research life took me to the opposite end of the spectrum. Searching for the rare Quebec Emerald provided a vital scientific balance to my PhD work at the University of Minnesota focused on the Common Green Darner (Anax junius), an abundant generalist species that can live dang near anywhere freshwater exists. 

Common Green Darner (Anax junius), Minnesota (Dec. 2016). Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

While the Quebec Emerald is a niche specialist of the northern peatlands, the Common Green Darner is a widespread migratory ambassador for freshwater conservation. Studying these two extremes—the specialist and the generalist— shines a light on how these two species have had their morphological and behavioral adaptations filtered in very different ways by their environments. The ecological and research value of studying common creatures is, in my opinion, extremely underappreciated. Being a common species is a rare thing and understanding the evolutionary factors that filter for abundance can be as elucidating as understanding those that result in rarity. 

The Power of Community-Fueled Research

Volunteer scientists make this kind of work possible. Minnesota Dragonfly Society research projects rely on members and volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours to collecting data and rearing nymphs. Through workshops and environmental education training, we can use dragonflies as the "charismatic face" to teach the real heart of the work: the processes of science and the vivacious joy of curiosity.

Minnesota Dragonfly Society Volunteers surveying in a bog in Minnesota (Summer 2017).  Photo copyright Ami Thompson.

Involving the community intentionally throws the doors to academia wide open. Science and research should not be an exclusive experience only for those with PhDs. This "recreational science" does more than just gather vital data for land managers; it fosters a deep, joyful human connection to the natural world. Whether we are sawing through ice to find nymphs in winter or capturing a rare species for a county record, these experiences invite everyone to be a researcher. This openness to welcoming the amateur is one the Dragonfly Society of America's greatest strengths. 

Together, our community is ensuring that these incredible insects—and the wild lands they call home—remain healthy for generations to come.

Ami Thompson, President of the DSA, is the Director of the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation at McHenry County College in Illinois. She studies the natural history of the Common Green Darner (Anax junius) and has been known to follow dragonflies just about anywhere. Ami enjoys igniting community curiosity about science and encouraging the use of wonder as a liberating practice.

This article was written with support from NotebookLM.

Species of the Month

Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), female, Burlington, Wisconsin, (Racine County) USA, Fox River near Saller Woods. July 7, 2025. Photo Copyright Steven Lubahn.

DSA Species of the Month for March 2026

Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus)

DSA’s March “Species of the Month” is the Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), in the Clubtail family “Gomphidae.”  It’s 49–55 mm (about 2 inches) in length, and frequents rivers and sunny sandy or gravelly streams. The Eastern Ringtail is found south to the Mexican uplands, east to northwestern Florida and Maryland, west as far as New Mexico and north to the Midwest; with other spotty records across North America (including Montana). Join naturalist Steven Lubahn as he encounters this species in Wisconsin—and has a few adventures along the way.

Chasing Clubtails

I’ve been birding for nearly 30 years, but as my passion for birds cooled, the late summer  Meadowhawks reawakened my interest in nature. I became interested in Odonata in the summer of 2020.  Any avid naturalist can attest that when you walk outside, a change occurs within. When I step onto a trail or a river, I open up. I find a different rhythm as my focus becomes directed outward.

In late summer of 2025, I focused on adding Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps), Elusive Clubtail (S. notatus), and Russet-tipped Clubtail (S. plagiatus)  to Racine County’s species list in Wisconsin. Because of minimal coverage, southeastern Wisconsin offers opportunities for Odonata surveyors to fill in gaps of known species. 

Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps) male, Burlington, Wisconsin, USA, Hoosier Creek Road boat launch.  9-12-2025. Photo copyright Steven Lubahn.

The Fox River, which flows from Colgate, Wisconsin, all the way to Ottawa, Illinois, became the focus of my interest, especially the area close to my home. In Wisconsin, the river flows through Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha Counties. I methodically studied the maps and worked my way down the river. 

In August of 2025  I decided to explore the swollen and volatile Fox River in Racine, with hopes of adding a new clubtail to the county’s list. Recent rains raised the river by at least a couple of feet. In June, I waded across the entire river on foot to photograph a Jade Clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus) . Now, I was determined to merely hug the shoreline in my kayak.

Jade Clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus) male, Racine, Wisconsin, USA, Fox River, Saller Woods.  June 14, 2025. Photo copyright Steven Lubahn.

That was my plan, anyway.

A river is a fitting analogy for life. How often have I made that association when pondering adversity. The circulation of my blood and the river’s current both flow continuously, defying attachments and resistance to change.   

Navigating the shoreline that day was a challenge. I maneuvered around dead trees. It was one of these trees that I clung to when I realized I made a fateful decision. My hope was to cross the river and find refuge on the opposite shoreline. 

Fox River, east of Saller Woods, (location of the Eastern Ringtail), Racine County, Wisconsin, USA September 11, 2025. Photo copyright Steven Lubahn.

Instead, I was slammed into another tree. Hanging onto it with one arm, I watched the rushing water rise. Then, my kayak disowned me. The next moment, I was underwater and under the tree. The branches lashed my face. I eventually felt the river bottom with my feet. Thankfully, I finally made it to shore. Bruised and cut up, my quest had to be postponed. 

On the morning of September seventh. I returned to the Fox River in Racine again, this time on foot. I found an Arrow Clubtail in a city park. As I suspected, they were present all along. 

My next stop was to revisit the river near Saller Woods in Racine County. After finding many Russet-tipped Clubtails in Kenosha County the day before, I was hopeful. The same river that hurled me in August was only a foot deep at this location. 

Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus), male, Burlington, Wisconsin, (Kenosha County), USA, Fox River Park.  September 6, 2025. Photo copyright Steven Lubahn.

There were Arrow Clubtails present but no Russet-tipped Clubtails or Elusive Clubtails. I would add them later in the season. For now, I made my way to the opposite shore. I walked gingerly, through the matted grass, which a week earlier was underwater.  And then . . . I spotted a mystery Clubtail in the grass. I managed two photos until the dragonfly took off over the brush.

Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus) male, Shopiere, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA, Sweet Allyn Park. July 21, 2024. Photo copyright Steven Lubahn.

A female Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), in full sunlight! I had seen them along Turtle Creek in Rock County, where they were discovered for the first time in 2022. I couldn’t believe I was seeing one in Racine County on a river I spent considerable time surveying.

Eastern Ringtail, with its bright green thorax, cerulean eyes and a checkered abdomen dipped in burnt sienna, is a thing of beauty.

Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), female Burlington, Wisconsin, (Racine County) USA, Fox River near Saller Woods. July 7, 2025. Photo Copyright Steven Lubahn.

Seeing it hover with a raised abdomen, as it seemingly defies gravity like a child's toy, is why I want to be out there every day. 

The Fox River brings hope that this species further establishes a population in Wisconsin. 

Bio: Steven Lubahn is an amateur naturalist living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Note: Portions of the introductory information from DSA are taken  from Dennis Paulson’s Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East and Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West (Princeton University Press).

Species of the Month

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) male, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (8-21-23), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

February 2026 Species of the Month: Ischnura posita

The Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) is a narrow-winged damselfly in the genus Ischnura and the family Coenagrionidae. They are among the smallest damselflies, averaging about an inch long (2.54 cm). Their range extends south to Florida, northeast to New England, west to western Oklahoma and Texas, south through Mexico, and into Guatemala. Enjoy dragonfly data collector Steve Baginski’s encounter with this species in this month’s blog post.

Not So Fragile Forktails

In 2023, my wife Gail Chastain and I began collecting odonate data at a pond on a newly-purchased 18 acre property, added to the 1,700 acre The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. The site includes Fischer Pond, surrounded by trees with diverse grasses and a 100-acre tallgrass prairie to the south. Because the new property is an isolated area—and only recently opened to visitors—most people don’t even know it’s there. 

There were no trails, so Gail and I blazed them on our own, even when—later in the summer—the grasses were higher than our heads. Despite the terrain, we showed up week after week with our clipboards and data sheets, counting individuals. We were rewarded with an abundance of Fragile Forktail damselflies and Eastern Forktails (Ischnura verticalis). Although they are both common species in our part of Illinois, their numbers here were noteworthy. We found there  are more Fragile Forktails here than at any other location at the Arboretum.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) male, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (26 June 2024), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

In Illinois, the Fragile Forktail damselflies are designated “S-5,” demonstrably secure in the state. They are ranked “globally secure” by NatureServe. Fragile Forktails are one of five different forktail species found in Illinois and the third most recorded damselfly at The Morton Arboretum. They are one of three forktail species found on the property (Fragile Forktail, Eastern Forktail, and Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata)).

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) male, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (21 August 2023), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

The male Fragile Forktail’s antehumeral (shoulder) stripes on the thorax are yellow-green. The stripe is referred to as “broken,” which can make it look like an exclamation mark (!). This is a key identification feature of the Fragile. They also have dots on the back of their head, so when looking at them from behind, it seems like they are looking at you. The underside of the first and second abdominal segment is black.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) female, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (29 June 2023), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

The females are similar to males, but the stripes on the thorax and the dots on the back of their heads are blue.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) female, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (29 July 2025), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

Older Fragile Forktail females, whose blue stripes are obscured with age and pruinosity, can be tough to tell apart from older female Eastern Forktails.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) in the wheel, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (12 July 2024), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

Fragile Forktails typically have a life cycle of one to two years from egg to adult. They prefer quiet waters with lots of aquatic vegetation, into which the females oviposit their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the naiads (nymphs) are said to be pretty feisty, chasing off other naiads.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) in the wheel, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (12 September 2024), Photo copyright Steve Baginski.

In addition, Fragile Forktails play a role in the ecosystem as both predators of small insects and prey of birds, frogs, fish, and larger odonates. They contribute to the biodiversity of their habitats. Despite their name, Fragile Forktails are known for their adaptability, including a high tolerance for polluted areas. Fragile Forktails, especially the females, are among the damselflies that eat other damselflies, including those of their own species. Perhaps not so “fragile,” after all!

The Fragile Forktail numbers for The Morton Arboretum’s 1,718 acre site as a whole increased by over six times in one year, mostly due to the numbers we found in this new area.

Changes in numbers of recorded Fragile Forktails (Ischnura posita) at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, with the addition of the Fischer Pond site in 2023.

As of 2025, the Fragile Forktails of Fischer Pond are still going strong. We continue to find more each season. Hopefully, 2026 will be another great year for the species at this site.

Steve Baginski and Gail Chastain at one of their dragonfly monitoring sites in Franklin Grove, Illinois (19 May 2025). Photo copyright Cindy Crosby.

Steve Baginski took up photography in 1993. As his interest in photography grew, so did his curiosity about the nature he photographed. In 2018, when his wife, Gail Chastain, started volunteering for an Odonata monitoring project at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, he began joining her. As his interest in odonates also grew, he officially joined the dragonfly team at The Morton Arboretum in 2020. Steve took special interest in damselflies, as he collected data. Upon retirement, any time he has away from “official” monitoring is now used looking for more dragonflies and damselflies.

Species of the Month

Neoneura maria, male. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

January 2026 Species of the Month: Neoneura maria

This month’s DSA species focus is the damselfly Neoneura maria. It is in the family Protoneuridae, and one of six endemic Cuban species. Neoneura maria is 32 mm long (about 1.26 inches) and usually found in clean, shady rivers. Read on to learn about this exciting species from Ana Maria Hernández.

Love at First Photo

My first encounter with Neoneura maria changed my life. 

It came after a long journey. For 21 years I worked in biotechnology, dedicated to cancer research, a field that brought me immense satisfaction. But since childhood, my passion has always been animals and their conservation. After years of wavering between continuing a successful path or pursuing my dream, I mustered my courage and embarked on a fresh start in the fascinating world of biology. 

That's how I arrived at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Havana, Cuba, joining the Genetics for Conservation group. There, I began collaborating on various projects within the Entomology Group. I still did not have a clearly defined path for myself. 

Then I met Dr. Adrian Trapero, an Odonata specialist and now my mentor and friend. He was writing a book about Cuban dragonflies and needed photographs. Dr. Trapero asked for my help because my husband, a professional photographer, had a camera and lens that we thought would be suitable that I could use.

My husband gave me the basic instructions for taking a photo without knowing anything about the characteristics of our “model”, and Dr. Trapero and I agreed on a date for the excursion. At that time, I only had a very basic understanding of damselflies and didn't know any of the Cuban endemic species. But I did know that they generally inhabited pristine, shady mountain rivers. So I was surprised when Dr. Trapero suggested looking for it at a river in a green, semi-urban area, on the outskirts of Havana. It was still in part of the city, with the consequent influx of people, accumulation of trash, and pollution from household waste. "Neoneura maria is the most resilient of our endemic species," Dr. Trapero explained to me. "It's the only endemic species that exists in all parts of Cuba, even in Isla de la Juventud." (Isla de la Juventud is a small island isolated from the main island.) After passing by a housing settlement, we followed a rural road that crossed a railway line. The road was occasionally interrupted by small streams, where children bathed and livestock drank. 

Studying the water characteristics of the transect of Cambute River where we monitor Neoneura maria with Javier Yraola Rodríguez. Photo by Angelica M. Amador de la Cruz (used with permission).

As we ventured deeper into the undergrowth, the road narrowed and began to run alongside the banks of a somewhat wider river. 

"It's this way," Dr. Trapero told me. We carefully began our damselfly search. It took a long time. With its 32 mm length  (about 1.26 inches) and the slender, graceful body of Protoneurids, we were looking for a bright blue pinprick in the green undergrowth.

Neoneura maria, male. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

Dr. Trapero was the first to spot the damselfly. "It's there!" he pointed, on the opposite bank in the shadows, beneath the leaves. I couldn't see anything until I used my camera lens. And, there it was. My impression was one of utter awe: there, in plain sight—yet invisible to those not actively seeking it—was one of the most beautiful animals I had ever seen.

 It seemed to cast a spell on me. My decision was made in seconds. These are the animals I want to study. The photos from that day were terrible, but they were the first of many. That day marked the beginning not only of my passion for odonatans, but also my passion for nature photography. 

In that small river, thanks to a Dragonfly Society of the Americas Small Research Grant, we have begun to study this species. There is very little information about it. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Neoneura maria as “Data Deficient.” For over a year, we have monitored population fluctuations and its response to hurricanes, droughts, and the constant rise in temperature, exacerbated by climate change. 

We delight in watching the territorial males patrolling the river's surface, waiting for the females to descend from their hiding places in the riparian trees. The females, as is typical in odonates, are less showy. Their pale brown and blue colors are just as beautiful, and  their intense blue eyes seem to see everything.

Neoneura maria female. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

In this river, we were able to photograph this species mating for the first time.

Neoneura maria. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

We were also able to photograph its ovipositing habits. This damselfly mostly oviposits in groups, in tandem, with the male erect and not flapping his wings.

Neoneura maria group oviposition. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

He holds the female by her prothorax with his cerci while she curves her abdomen to insert her eggs onto floating rafts of plant fragments, but also—sadly—onto plastic bottles and containers that pollute the river. We hope that the data we collect will be used to propose viable management plans, especially focused on the conservation of this species' freshwater habitat.

Neoneura maria ovipositing surrounded by bottles and garbage dumped in the river. Cambute River, Guanabacoa, Havana. Photo by Ana María Hernández.

The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of these actions will be the local communities. Our presence on the river attracts the attention of the locals, and especially the children who sometimes accompany us. They are amazed and incredulous when we teach them about the beauty that inhabits their river. 

We trust that these children will become the guardians of this hidden treasure in Havana.

Ana Maria Hernández lives in Havana, Cuba, where she works as researcher at the Genetics for Conservation group, Faculty of Biology at the University of Havana. She is leading the project Population genetic and ecological aspects of endemic odonatans species in western Cuba.  Contact email: maraborys42@gmail.com.

ARGIA 37(4) Available for Download

The latest issue of ARGIA is available for download

This issue contains:

Information on our 2026 Grant Program

The first sneak peek at the 2026 DSA Annual Meeting, which will be held in Hot Springs, NC in June 2026.

The next Nymph Cove installment, in which we begin our look at damselfly nymphs - Lestidae and Platystictidae

Some really excellent articles, lots of new records, and a slew of wonderful photographs of metallic/iridescent odes

and more!

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