One similarity Maine has with Florida is mosquitoes. While my limited time in the far north indicates these endemic pests are not as intensely bothersome as the ones which reside in Florida, either native or exotic, they still appear too plentiful.
Almost anything in plentiful quantities will sooner or later encounter another creature which will eat it. This predation is accomplished by, among others, the insects in the order Odonate which includes dragonflies and, ironically, damselflies.
Florida is home to more than 150 species of Odonates made up of six families of dragonflies and three families of the similarly appearing damselflies. This insect order is found on every continent except Antarctica.
By comparison, Maine has two thirds fewer members (43 at last reckoning) of this native insect order. A few reside in both states and locales in between.
Adult odonates are easily differentiated by their wings. The wings of most dragonflies are held away from and perpendicular to their body when at rest while the dainty, but not helpless, damselflies fold their wings next to their body.
This Familiar Bluet, a species of damselfly native to Maine, takes a break to rest on a stem. They perform the same function whether in Maine or panhandle Florida. Their larvae eat mosquito larvae.
Some dragonfly species have broad territories, such as the blue-eyed darner. It is found from coast to coast in North America, in addition to Central and South America. In contrast, many families of damselflies have much smaller areas in which they are established with a few having extremely limited distribution.
Like other insects, dragonflies have six legs, but most cannot walk well. To compensate for this shortcoming, dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects in the world with a top recorded speed of about 35 miles per hour.
They can be seen locally near any body of water or running stream, often sitting in sunny spots breaking through the forest canopy along a river or pond, or patrolling the water’s edge. The males are territorial and will attack other males which encroach.
Some species can be found in open fields far away from water while searching for prey or while migrating. The carnivorous nature of their diets makes them popular summer guests.
All nymph stage Odonates are aquatic, with some living in salty water. All are voracious predators feeding on everything from small invertebrates such as mosquito larvae to smaller vertebrates such as fish and frogs.
In most of Florida the dragonflies and damselflies can be active most of the year. They are much more active and visible in spring, summer and early autumn.
During winter in panhandle Florida, they stay in wetlands and river swamps which are warmer and closer to food sources. Temperatures which will freeze water for any length of time are thankfully rare even in north Florida.
In Maine the larvae and eggs of these beneficial insects must survive the freezing temperatures. Their body chemistry allows for a form of suspended animation during the frigid season, and their emergence when the days lengthen and temperatures rise.
Of course, as the damselflies and dragonflies awaken in Maine, so do the mosquitoes. In Maine, as in Florida, members of the Odonates order balance the mosquitoes’ population.
In the world of mosquito larvae, damselflies and dragonflies are bad news. So, whether in the far north or deep south, the dragonflies and damselflies are a welcome sight.
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