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ODONATA IN THE CHEISTCHUECH DISTRICT, 1911. 

 By E. J. Burgess Sopp. 



Whilst staying in this neighbourhood during the past 

 summer, accompanied by Mr. Philip Dover, I made several 

 expeditions in quest of insects, and our experiences among the 

 dragonflies may be of interest. The " theatre of operations " 

 was limited in area to within a few miles radius of Southbourne- 

 on-Sea, and our observations were confined to the middle and 

 late summer. 



It being my first experience of collecting in the district, I am 

 unable to say whether the locality is a generally favourite one 

 with the group, or whether the large number of insects in 

 evidence during 1911 must be mainly attributed to the abnormal 

 weather conditions which prevailed. That the long summer, 

 with its high percentage of heat and sunshine and almost entire 

 absence of wind and rain, would be favourable to the Odonata 

 (especially in such a well-watered centre as Christchurch) seems 

 justly presumable, and it is probable that the conjunction of 

 these factors largely contributed to the extraordinary abundance 

 at certain periods of one or two of the species noted, of which by 

 far the commonest was Ischnura elegans, Lind. On some occa- 

 sions this graceful little dragonfly occurred in the utmost pro- 

 fusion along the banks of the Eivers Avon and Stour, and about 

 the numerous creeks at Wick and Tuckton. During June and 

 July — more particularly in the former month— it was to be met 

 with throughout the surrounding country too — in lanes, meadows, 

 and gardens, often far removed from water. 



Regarded solely as a catalogue of species, the appended tale 

 of captures is not a very formidable one. Its interest will lie in 

 its comparison with the experiences of others who may have 

 worked over the same terrain in former seasons, and in the fact 

 that, now Hengistbury Head has been sold, the district may lose 

 much of its wild character in the future. 



Sympetrum scoticum, Don. — Hengistbury : not uncommon in 

 July, common at the end of August. Christchurch : Stanpit 

 Marsh. 



Libellula quadrimaculata, Linn. — Hengistbury : common in 

 June, scarcer in July. Wick and Tuckton Creeks : common 

 during June. Boscombe. 



Orthetrum ccerulesceiis, Fabr. — Hengistbury : not uncommon 

 in July, occasional in August. Mudeford. Bournemouth. 



Cordulegaster annulatus, Latr. — A male of this handsome 

 insect was picked up near Pokesdown Railway Station during 

 July, where it had been run over or trodden on in the roadway. 

 A few days later (21st) another insect was seen hawking close to 



