AQUATIC INSECTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS 



471 



1890 Anax Junius Hageu, Psyche, 5 : 305 (critical account of the species) 

 1893 Anax Junius Calvert, Am. ent, soc. Trans. 20 : 249 (description) 

 1897 Anax Junius Calvert, N. Y. ent. soc. Jour. 3 : 46 and 5 : 93 (listed from 

 New York, Ithaca, Schoharie and Buffalo) 



1899 Anax Junius Kellicott, Odon. Ohio, p. 77 



1900 Anax Junius Williamson, Dragon flies Ind. p. 306 



1881 Anax Junius Cabot, (nymph) Mus. comp. zool. Mem. 8 : 15, 36, pi. 1, 

 fig. 2 



Anax Junius Drury 



This well known species, which is very common in most parts of the 

 state, was rather rare at Saranac Inn. A single nymph was taken from 

 the little bog pond on the inn wagon road, 

 and a single male imago was observed fly- 

 ing over the same pond. Elsewhere tlie 

 imagos are on the wing from March till 

 November; they fly from daylight to 

 dark, and are fleet, powerful and fearless. 



The female in ovipositing is often held 

 by the male, specially in early spring, 

 often is unattended, and sometimes de- 

 scends bodily into the water. In early 

 spring the eggs are inserted in the water- 

 soaked stems of reeds, in floating sticks, 

 etc. ; later in the season they are placed 

 in the tissues of green and growing 



aquatic plants. Fig. U Early stages of nymph of Anax 



r^, , r ^ • • • Junius Dru., showing changes of color 



I he nymph 01 this species is probably pattern a, newly hatched : B, one fourth 



-^ grown ; C, one half grown 



better known than that of any other. 



It is sure to get into the net of the aquatic collector. It clings to 

 water weeds nearer the surface, usually, than the bottom, in an atti- 

 tude of alertness, with head poised low and abdomen slightly elevated. 

 Locomotion is relatively rapid, either by walking, or by swimming by 

 ejections of water from the respiratory chamber. It is a notoriously can- 

 nibalistic species : among abundant and choice food, the larger nymphs 

 will eat the smaller ones, and two of equal size can, not be safely kept to- 

 gether in close quarters. 



Cabot ^ has figured and described the nymph, and many indiff'erent re- 

 productions of his figure are current. The following brief diagnostic 

 statement of its principal characters will serve for its recognition. 



Nymph, (fig. 14) Measures in total length 39 mm ; abdomen 29 

 mm ; hind femur 8 mm ; width of head 8 mm, of abdomen 8.4 mm. 



Immature state of the Odonata. 1881- pt 2. 



