Category: Dragonflies

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/7/10 Observation Time: 9:05 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Leucorrhinia intacta Comments: This dragonfly is also among the dragonfly species commonly seen at Leach Pond in Borderland State Park. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 6/15/13 Observation Time: 4:13 p.m. Observation Location: Power line cut along Moose Hill St. Common Name: Delta-spotted Spiketail dragonfly Scientific Name: Cordulegaster diastatops Comments: This one is teneral (wings are shiny), meaning that it recently emerged into adult form. This dragonfly gets its name from the delta-shaped (i.e.triangular) marks along its abdomen. More Information: iNaturalist.org

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/13 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Common Green Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Anax junius More Information: Idaho Museum of Natural History

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/30/10 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields) Common Name: Canada Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Aeshna canadensis Comments: Canada darner dragonflies are very common in Massachusetts in late summer near sluggish marsh-bordered streams. They typically hang vertically at rest. More Information: US Army Corps of Engineers: North Hartland Lake

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/8/13 Observation Time: 5:10 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis More Information: http://www.cirrusimage.com/dragonfly_blue_dasher.htm

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/13 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis Comments: The male has a blue abdomen, hence the name. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/19/10 Observation Time: 5:20 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis Comments: Female is brown with red eyes and yellow markings. Male is blue with green eyes. More Information: Wikipedia Female: Male:

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/30/13 Observation Time: 3:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find and phoyograph one that’s not already recorded on this web site? More Information: Ecobirder

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/13 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Perithemis tenera Comments: This red-winged dragonfly is smaller than most other dragonflies. More Information: Odonata Central

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/8/13 Observation Time: 5:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum obtrusum Comments: Males are red. Very similar to Ruby Meadowhawk and Cherry-faced Meadowhawk. This species seems to be in decline. More Information: Nature Search Two more photos taken 7/19/13 at about 5:30 where Turning Mill Brook flows under Wolomolopoag Street:

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 6/15/13 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: White Corporal dragonfly Scientific Name: Ladona exusta Comments: Small, most commonly perches on the ground. Adult males have a white abdomen. More Information: New Jersey Odes

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/13 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Painted Skimmer dragonfly Scientific Name: Libellula semifasciata Comments: This dragonfly is said to be uncommon, although it is not listed as such in Massachusetts. More Information: iNaturalist

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/12 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road bridge over Billings Brook Common Name: White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum obtrusum Comments: Adult males are identifiable by a distinctive pure white face and red body. Juveniles and younger females have a yellow abdomen. Older females have olive-brown or reddish-brown abdomen. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/12 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Painted Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula semifasciata Comments: This dragonfly is said to be uncommon, although it is not listed as such in Massachusetts. A map showing Painted Skimmer sightings can be viewed at: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/104585-Libellula-semifasciata More Information: Walter Sanford’s Photoblog Painted Skimmer ovipositing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_XyMkvXtfI

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/26/11 Observation Time: 12:30 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot Common Name: Halloween Pennant dragonfly Scientific Name: Celithemis eponina Comments: Tattered wings reflect the wear and tear of summer in this late August photo. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/17/11 Observation Time: 12:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Perithemis tenera Comments: The wings of the male are entirely amber, whereas the wings of the female are clear with amber blotches. More Information: Project Noah

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/11 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Halloween Pennant dragonfly Scientific Name: Celithemis eponina Comments: This is one of my best wildlife photos. The late afternoon sunlight provided perfect illumination. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/25/11 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Common Pondhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis Comments: Female (males are blue) More Information: Insects of West Virginia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Slaty Skimmer dragonfly Scientific Name: Libellula incesta Comments: The first photo is a female. The second is a male. Watch this video of the slaty skimmer dragonfly as it oviposits at Gavins Pond. More Photos: Odonata.bogfoot.net

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Common Baskettail dragonfly Scientific Name: Epitheca cynosura Comments: This is the most common baskettail within its range (eastern North America), hence the name. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/10 Observation Time: 8:35 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields) Common Name: Common Pondhawk dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis Comments: Pondhawk dragonflies are voracious hunters, but they are completely harmless to humans. Females are green. Males are blue. Females oviposit in flight, hovering low over the water and repeatedly dipping their abdomens into the water […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/26/10 Observation Time: 6:45 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum rubicundulum More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/17/10 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Perithemis tenera Comments: The wings of the male are entirely amber, whereas the wings of the female are clear with amber blotches. More Information: Odonata Central

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/10 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Pondhawk dragonfly (young male) Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis Comments: Males are blue. Females are bright green. Voracious hunter near vegetated ponds and slow streams, but they are completely harmless to humans. More Information: North American Insects and Spiders