DRAGONFIJES AND DAMSEI.FUES IN PONDFISH CULTURE. 



253 



TRAMEA ONUSTA Hagen. 



Tramea onusta Hagen, Synop. Neurop. N. A., 1861, p. 144. 



A single male of this species was captured on pond 8D in July, 191 7, and others were seen later 

 about several of the ponds. It can be readily distinguished from lacerata by the reddish color of the 

 blotches at the bases of the wings. Neither nymphs nor skins were secured. 



PERITHEMIS DOMITIA (Drury). 



Libellula domitia Drury, Illust. Exot. Entomol., vol. 2, 1773, p. 83. 



This is the smallest of the dragonflies and may be distinguished from the others here mentioned 

 by its diminutive size and its amber-tinted wings. The images are as common about the ponds as 

 elsewhere, but are not very abundant anywhere. It is a slow and clumsy flyer, approaching more 

 nearly to tlie damsels than to the other dragons. Its small size gives it very little confidence and it 

 keeps well out of the way of other species, flying close to the surface of the water. 



The female is usually foimd in the fields some distance away from the ponds, and she deposits her 

 eggs unattended by the male. 



The nymphs are found sparingly in all the ponds and were also obtained from Patterson Lake 

 on the river; they are cleaner, as well as smaller, than most other species. The skins are always found 

 close to the water's edge, often over the water, apparently on the first suitable stem that the nymph 

 met with. 



CELITHEMIS EPONINA (Drury). 



Libellula eponina Drury, Illust. Exot. Entomol., vol. 2, 1773, p. 86. 



These dragonflies can be recognized by their heavily spotted wings and by their habit of balancing 

 upon the very tip of some convenient grass or weed stem. When disturbed they return again to the 

 same spot, and this makes them easy to capture. Their flight is slow, and in the position and movement 

 of the wings bears more resemblance to that of a butterfl}^ than of other dragonflies. They are seen 

 paired and flying tandem more often than other species, and in spite of their slow flight they are more 

 in evidence on windy days. 



The nymphs are found in all the ponds, while the skins are found close to the water's edge, like 

 those of Perithemis. The small size and scarcity of both species gives them but little influence in the 

 ecology of the ponds. 



CELITHEMIS ELISA (Hagen). 



Diplax elisa Hagen, Synop. Neurop. N. A., 1861, p. 182. 



This species was first seen around the fishponds in the summer of 1917. One or two were seen in 

 1918, but none was captured. A male and female were secured on July i, 19 19, near ponds 4 and 8 of 

 series D. 



LEUCORRHINIA INTACTA (Hagen), 



Diplax intacta Hagen, Synop. Neurop. N. A., 186 1, p. 179. 



This is another small species familiarly known as "Johnny Whiteface"; it may be recognized by 

 its diminutive size and its snow-white face combined with a dark body and clear wings. The two sexes 

 do not fasten together during ovipositing, but spend much of their time perched separately on some 

 convenient object near the water. They fly only short distances from one resting place to another, but 

 forage continuously all summer long. Their nymphs are found in all the ponds and much resemble 

 those of Celithemis and Perithemis, but are shorter and generally show a definite color pattern of dark 

 brown on a greenish background. They are lively and clamber about on the submerged vegetation 

 with considerable agility. 



SYMPETRUM RUBICUNDULUM (Say). 



Libellula rubicundula Say, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1839, p. 26. 



This species appears early in the season and remains until after the frosts of October. At first the 

 adults are very soft and seem to remain teneral a long time, but later they become firmer and by Sep- 

 tember are as rigid as any of the smaller species. 



