Minutes

Springfield Naturalists’ Club

May 18, 2005

7:30 pm Tolman Auditorium, Springfield Science Museum

Meeting began promptly by Vice President Arthur O’Leary III. President Dave Gallup was away.

Sightings shared by members over the last month include: Black Bear, Fisher, Fox and Moose.

One member mentioned a phenology web-site which may be helpful and of interest: Umassgreeninfo.org.

One member expressed desire to have Spontaneous Happenings revived. No Spontaneous Happenings have been put on line since our web page went down last summer.

Art called upon Ed Dzelinski, voting chair, to conduct the annual elections.

From the floor, member Robin Demetris nominated Arthur O’Leary III for president. Art accepted the nomination. A vote was taken by show of hands. Result: Art: 16; Dave Gallup: 23.

The rest of the slate was passed. New board member: Suzi Gallup as Director

At the end of the voting, the Springfield Naturalists’ Club Board of Directors stands as such:

President: David Gallup; Vice President: Art O’Leary; Treasurer: Dave Lovejoy; Corresponding Secretary: Suzanne Gallup; Recording Secretary: Nancy Condon; Directors: Tom Condon, Dietrich Schlobohm, Sonya Vickers, Robin Marie Demetrius.

Sonya Vickers introduced the evening’s speaker: Jennifer Ohop. Jennifer is the staff naturalist at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Monson, MA. Her program is entitled: Dragonflies for Birders.

Fossilized dragonflies have been dated to 325 million years ago. Some of these showed a 3-foot wingspan. Dragonflies are in the Order Odonata. Odonates are divided further into 2 groups: Dragonflies and Damselflies. Dragonflies have unequal wing size, there are 7 Families and 116 species, 26 of which are state listed (as endangered or threatened) Damselflies have equal sized wings, there are 3 Families, 49 species, 5 of which are state listed. Eggs take 1-3 weeks to hatch. Larvae are aquatic and can live 7 years in a pond.

Jennifer extended an invitation on behalf of a pair of dragonfly researchers, for folks to collect exuviae or the casting or exoskeletal molt of dragonflies.

Some interesting characteristics of Odonates include: 3 caudal lamellae, or breathing structures seen on the end of damselfly abdomens. They have a “killer lip” which snags prey. They like the sun. They possess hemolith or insect “blood”. A newly emerged, pre-reproductive phase is called a “teneral.” When a male and female are mating, it is called a wheel position, as they fly around attached to one another. Odonates have tiny antennae. They cannot hear. Odonates can process visual stimuli much faster than humans.

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Some commonly seen Odonates are Slaty Skimmer, Calico Pennant, 12-Spotted Skimmer, and the Common Green Darner, which is a large migrant, as is the Wandering Glider. It is possible to ID dragonflies by wing veins

Differences between Dragonflies and Damselflies:

Size large small

Wing Position at rest open closed

Eye position together apart

Flight style: strong weak

Check out more about Odonates at www.odnews.net