Order ODONATA. 



The Odonata or "dragon flies" are predatory in all stages, and none of 

 them are, therefore, injurious to the agriculturist. Some of them are 

 more or less beneficial in the adult stage as destroyers of injurious or 

 annoying species, and their practice of taking mosquitoes has given them 

 the name "mosquito-hawks." Their habits of flying by day only, and 

 preferably in sunny places, limits their usefulness against the nocturnal 

 pests very decidedly, and makes them practically useless in any attempt 

 to control mosquito breeding. Their appearance and habits have always 

 aroused interest, and often dread, as the common names "snake doctor" 

 and "devil's darning needle" testify, and many a tale of their dangerous 

 power is current. As a matter of fact, the insects are entirely harmless, 

 and can neither sting nor bite, the mouth being so peculiarly constructed 

 that the insect can chew only what can be gotten into the buccal cavity 

 itself. 



The eggs are laid pn or under the surface of the water, and the larvae 

 are as voracious and formidable in appearance as the adults. The lower 

 lip is hinged, capable of being extended well beyond the head, and almost 

 any soft-bodied water insect coming within reach is liable to be captured 

 and eaten. Mosquito wrigglers furnish a large percentage of the food 

 of some species, and in permanent pools such larvae cannot maintain them- 

 selves in any number. 



The list of species in the last edition was prepared by Dr. Philip P. 

 Calvert, of the University of Pennsylvania, who has also supplied addi- 

 tional notes to the present edition. His absence from the country during 

 the time the list was prepared for the printer, and while it was passing 

 through the press has prevented his looking it over in final form, and he 

 is not to be charged with errors appearing it it, but is to be credited with 

 the determination of the material and the general arrangement as it now 

 stands, as well as all records not otherwise acknowledged. 



The list of species and varieties has been increased from 90 to 112, and 

 there probably is no other order more thoroughly and completely known 

 in New Jersey. The labors of Messrs. Daecke and Davis, in addition to 

 those of Dr. Calvert, have done much to bring the list to its present state 

 of completeness. 



Family AGRIONID/E. 

 Sub- family CALOPTERYGIN^E. 



CALOPTERYX Leach. 



C. maculata Beauv. Throughout the State except in the Appalachian V, 

 28-VIII, 9, locally not rare. 



(73) 



