rW} NEWSLETTER of the WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 20, Number 2 Les Ferge, Editor June 1993 THE BUGS OF 1993 Phil Pellitteri - UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Spring has already brought with it the first wave of insect activity. The press is always hungry for predictions on what new insect disasters await us. They do not appreciate how little we understand what really controls many populations, and how minor changes in weather patterns at just the right time can blow most predictions out the window. Most entomologists I know get more humbled each season and just sit back and watch the insects continually change the game plan. It was no great revelation that the heavy rains of spring bring mosquitoes. Dr. Hilsenhoff found large numbers of Aedes stimulans out by the middle of May. This species does not migrate far from its breeding sites, but can be a big problem if you decide to camp in the wrong spot. Blackflies also came early and started causing problems far from their river or stream habitat. They often blow in from a great distance, and we think we may be getting some bird-feeders going through a host switch. We have some records of Simulium meridionale from July of 1968. We are now busy trying to get enough collected to see what is going on. I have heard of people being carried away at a golf course two blocks from my house, but have not seen any in my back yard. Ant problems have been larger that normal this spring and pavement ants have become the second most identified household pest. The loose, moist soil has allowed many mound builders to build high-rise colonies. We have found four more infestations of Hypoponera , the imported mystery ant. The infestation at the hospital in eastern Wisconsin is still going, much like the "Eveready rabbit". The State is in the middle of the gypsy moth spraying, and we had a case of Japanese beetle arrive at Milwaukee County stadium on some sod from Ohio. I do believe that the series of mild winters has opened the door for more problems. We have picked up a number of new county records for Yponomeuta multipunctella, the American ermine moth, also known as the euonymous caterpillar. We have been getting extensive damage on ornamental plants from this small webworm. There have been no great flights of Painted Ladies this spring, and the cool weather has slowed most Leps. My hope for this summer is for at least a 2 week period of things going according to the book. If things remain as unstable as they have been, I will need a whole new library. The Newsletter of the Wisconsin Entomological Society is published three times a year, at irregular intervals . It is provided to encourage and facilitate the exchange of information by the membership , and to keep the members informed of the activities of the organization. Members are strongly encouraged to contribute items for inclusion in the Newsletter. Please send all news items, notes, new or interesting insect records, season summaries, research requests, and report any address changes to the editor: Les Ferge, 7119 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, Wl 53562. NEWSLETTER OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 20(2): 1993 WISCONSIN DRAGONFLY CHECKLIST PUBLISHED The Wisconsin Entomological Society is pleased to present the second publication in its fledgling series of Miscellaneous Publications, devoted to providing information on the state's insect fauna. The Checklist of Wisconsin Dragonflies by William A. Smith, Timothy E. Vogt and Karen H. Gaines, included with this newsletter, updates and summarizes the range, seasonal occurrence and status of the 108 species currently known. DRAGONFLY WORKSHOP TO BE HELD Bill Smith, Zoologist , Wisconsin DNR Natural Heritage Inventory Program, will present a course introducing dragonfly biology, identification and collection/observation techniques in the field. It will be held on July 9-10 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station (Cedarburg Bog). The course fee is $30.00, and enrollment is limited to 20. For further information and registration materials, contact Dr. James Reinartz, UWM Field Station, 3095 Blue Goose Road, Saukville Wl 53080, or phone (414) 675-6844. 1993 NABA-XERCES FOURTH OF JULY BUTTERFLY COUNT Ann B. Swengel The 19th annual NABA-Xerces Fourth of July Butterfly Count will be held this summer. Volunteer participants select a count area with a 15-mile diameter and conduct a one- day census of all butterflies sighted within that circle. The counts are usually held in the few weeks before or after the Fourth of July. Last summer, the Xerces Society and the newly formed North American Butterfly Association (NABA) agreed to transfer administration of the Fourth of July Butterfly Counts to NABA in 1993. The annually published results of the butterfly count provide important information about the geographical distribution and population sizes of the species counted. Comparisons of the results over the years enable monitoring of changes in butterfly populations and study of the effects of weather and habitat change on the different species throughout the continent. In some years the butterfly count shows dramatic changes in butterfly populations, while other years indicate little fluctuation in butterfly numbers. Either way, butterfly counters are always curious about what next year's results will be! No matter how much or how little butterfly watching you've done, the results of butterfly counting can be surprising and interesting. If a count already exists in your area, please join them for a day of fascinating butterfly counting. If there is no count in your area, you may start one of your own if you know how to identify butterflies. Otherwise, inspire a nature center or butterfly club to start one for you! For more information on the count program, counts in your area, and how to conduct a count, contact: Mrs. Ann B. Swengel National count co-editor 909 Birch Street Baraboo, Wl 53913 For information on the North American Butterfly Association, also contact Mrs. Swengel, treasurer for NABA. WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION NO. 2 JUNE 1993 CHECKLIST OF WISCONSIN DRAGONFLIES By William A. Smith 1 , Timothy E. Vogt 2 , and Karen H. Gaines' In 1975, William Hilsenhoff reported (tallied) ninety species of dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) in Wisconsin, one of which was reported in error. Nineteen additional species have been found in the state since 1975. This checklist provides a current summary of Wisconsin’s 108 dragonfly species with an indication of population and legal status, breeding habitat, and estimates of range and flight period based on records maintained by the Natural Heritage Inventory Program (NHI) of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Five species reported from Wisconsin, but never substantiated as part of the state’s fauna, are listed in addition. Most of the state records (species) added since 1975 have not been published and are included here with the permission of the discoverers. English names are from a 1988 unpublished checklist of North American odonates by Paulson and Dunkle with appropriate revisions from Dunkle’s 1989 volume, Dragonflies of the Florida Peninsula. Bermuda, and the Bahamas . A technical paper documenting new state records is in preparation by the authors. SPECIES: Species are grouped phylogenetically by family; species names in each family are arranged in alphabetical order. STATUS: Population status is indicated with the Global and State species ranks as defined below. This species population ranking system is utilized by NHI for all plant and animal species found in the state. Only those ranks assigned to any Wisconsin dragonflies are defined below. GLOBAL Species Ranks: G1 = Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer populations or very few remaining individuals) or because of some factors) making it especially vulnerable to extinction. G2 = Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 populations or few remaining individuals) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. G3 = Vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because it is rare (21 to 100 populations or individuals) and local throughout its range, or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a restricted range (e.g., a single state, a physiographic region), or because of other factors. G4 = Apparently globally secure, although it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. G5 = Demonstrably secure globally, although it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. STATE Species Ranks: 51 = Critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer populations or very few remaining individuals) or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. 52 = Imperiled in the state because of rarity (6 to 20 populations or few remaining individuals) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state. 53 = Rare or uncommon in the state (21 to 100 populations). 54 = Apparently secure in the state, with many populations. 'Bureau of Endangered Resources, DNR, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 2 The Nature Conservancy, Route 1, Box 53E, Ullin, IL 62992 S5 = Demonstrably secure in the state and essentially ineradicable under present conditions. SA = Accidental in the state, including species recorded once or twice or only at very great intervals, hundreds or even thousands of miles outside of their usual ranges; a few of these species may even have bred on one or two occasions. SH = Of historical occurrence in the state, perhaps having not been verified in the past 20 years, and suspected to be still extant. A species would become SH without such a 20-year delay if the only known population in the state were destroyed, or if it had been extensively and unsuccessfully looked for. Upon verification of an extant population, SH-ranked species would typically receive an SI rank. SR = Reported from the state, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report. Some of these are very old single records for which the NHI program hasn’t yet received first-hand information; others are old, obscure reports that are hard to dismiss because the habitat is now destroyed. SRF = Reported falsely (in error) from the state, but this error persists in the literature. The limits of uncertainty with regard to rank are indicated by a range (e.g., "G1G2" or "S2S3"), and species with a questionable taxonomic assignment are given a "Q" after the Global rank. BREEDING HABITAT: Suitable aquatic habitat for the larvae is a primary factor determining odonate presence. Important habitat parameters include substrate, waterbody size, dissolved oxygen content, rate of flow, pH, structure of emergent and submergent vegetation, and water quality. The adjacent terrestrial land use can also be limiting. Many dragonflies, especially stream species, are apparently limited to waterbodies in largely forested watersheds. RANGE: Data on Wisconsin dragonfly distribution are inconsistent. Some species or species groups are well known, most are not. In some cases, species (often those with SI or S2 ranks) are represented by a single record; range and flight period estimates should be considered in that light. Several species (including some ranked SI or S2) which may be common elsewhere in North America are at the edge of their ranges in Wisconsin. Knowledge of the distribution of suitable habitat in Wisconsin can give the reader a more likely indication of a species’ range in the state than the current records summarized here. Wisconsin range delineations are made using a modified version of Leslie A. Ferge’s floristic province divisions in Ferge’s Checklist of Wisconsin Butterflies. with permission of the author. See map and range key on page 3. Modifications to this system have been made to more accurately reflect the distribution of records: - When records are restricted to a section of a region, its designation is modified to reflect this; e.g., southern section of the Western region = "W(s)." - When records appear to be concentrated near a major river, that river’s (abbreviated) name follows the region designation. Lower Wisconsin River = "LWR," Mississippi River = "MissR," Saint Croix River = "StCrR." - Some species appear to have the Northern portion (or the entirety) of their range limited to the Door County peninsula; this is indicated by "N(Door)." - Some species appear to have the Western portion of their range concentrated in the Baraboo Range; this is indicated by "W(Baraboo)." - Some records in the Milwaukee area are entirely historical (occurring near the beginning of the 20th century); this group is indicated by "E-h." The order of ranges listed reflects the representation of each range in the distribution of records, with the range with the most occurrences listed first, and so on. FLIGHT PERIOD: The range of dates given for adult presence begins with the earliest recorded larval emergence (often as evidenced by exuviae) and ends with the latest recorded capture or sighting of an adult. Most species require one to two weeks to become sexually mature after emergence and usually are not seen in their breeding habitat until then. In an attempt to summarize the available data, the authors have used the following convention when indicating the times of the earliest emergence and latest adult records: - E (month) = from the 1st to the 10th day of that month. - M (month) = from the 1 1th to the 21st of that month. - L (month) = from the 22nd to the end of that month. Be advised that these flight periods are approximate; for instance, adults may still be flying in the middle of a month even though the latest recorded sighting occurred on the tenth day of that month. The Wisconsin DNR’s Natural Heritage Inventory Program is currently compiling a distributional atlas of the state’s odonates. Readers are encouraged to contribute species occurrence records to the senior author. We are especially interested in detailed information on species considered rare, i.e. State rank of SI, S2, S3, and SH. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: In addition to data provided by the authors, information was obtained from the following sources: Aquatic Insects of Wisconsin by William L. Hilsenhoff, 1981 (Publication of the Natural History Council, University of Wisconsin-Madison, No. 2); The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Volume II by Edmund M. Walker, 1958, and Volume III by Edmund M. Walker and Philip Corbet, 1975 (University of Toronto Press); Dr. Kenneth Tennessen; Dr. Thomas Pleyte; The Milwaukee Public Museum; Susan Borkin; Dr. Everett D. Cashatt; Corbin Smith; Brendon Smith; Richard Lillie; David Heath; Glenn Miller; "Check-List of the Odonata of North America, with English Names" by Dennis Paulson and Sidney Dunkle (Unpublished Draft, 1988); Dragonflies of the Florida Peninsula, Bermuda and the Bahamas by Sidney W. Dunkle, 1989 (Scientific Publishers Nature Guide). The map reproduced below is an adaptation of the one in Leslie A. Ferge’s publication Checklist of Wisconsin Butterflies , February 1990 (Wisconsin Entomological Society Miscellaneous Publication No. 1) and is used with permission of the author. N = Northern Highland C - Central Sands W = Western Upland (driftless area) E = Eastern Ridges and Lowlands NOTE: Some records appear to fall on the border between two regions; this is indicated by a slash between the designations. For instance, between the Central and Western regions = "C/W." SPECIES STATUS BREEDING HABITAT RANGE FLIGHT PERIOD SUBORDER ANISOPTERA (DRAGONFLIES) FAMILY AESHNIDAE (DARNERS) Aeshna canadensis Walker, 1908 Canada darner G5 S5 bog- or marsh-bordered lakes; sluggish marsh-bordered streams N C E W-LWR M June - E Oct Aeshna clepsydra Say, 1839 mottled darner’ G3G4 S2 reed-bordered lakes; deep sterile lakes N E-h M June - E Sept Aeshna constricta Say, 1839 lance-tailed darner G5 S4 ponds; small lakes; marshes; slow streams in open marshes E N C W M July - E Sept Aeshna eremita (Scudder, 1866) lake darner G5 S3 bog- or marsh-bordered ponds and lakes N L July - E Oct Aeshna interrupta Walker, 1908 variable damer G5 S5 shallow marsh-bordered bays; bog or beach ponds; slow streams N L July - M Sept Aeshna mutata Hagen, 1861 spatterdock darner 1 G3G4 S2 shallow peaty lakes with abundant floating vegetation C E June - L June Aeshna tuberculifera Walker, 1908 black-tipped damer G4 S3 acidic bog ponds; peaty acidic lakes C N M Aug - M Sept Aeshna umbrosa Walker, 1908 shadow damer G5 S5 partially- to heavily-shaded streams, ditches, and forest ponds N C W(s) L June - M Oct Aeshna verticals Hagen, 1861 green-striped damer G5 S2S3 spring ponds; marsh-bordered lakes C E N M June - L Sept Anax junius (Drury, 1770) common green damer G5 S5 still water with emergent or floating leaved aquatics Statewide E April - M Oct Anax longipes Hagen, 1861 comet damer G5 SA ponds; small lakes C L June - E July Basiaeschna janata (Say, 1839) springtime damer G5 S4 well-oxygenated ponds, lakes, streams Statewide L May - E July Bayeria vinosa (Say, 1839) fawn damer G5 S5 shady edges of streams with moderate current N W-LWR C M June - M Sept Epiaeschna heros (Fabricius, 1798) swamp damer G5 S2S3 shady ponds, ditches; sloughs bordering woods N(Door) E W(s) E June - L July Gomphaeschna jurcillata Say, 1839 harlequin damer G5 S1S3 sphagnum bogs; alder swamps; wooded swamps N(w) Early June Nasiaeschna pentacantha (Rambur, 1 842) cyrano damer G5 S3 swampy streams; lake coves & ponds with roots or branches in water W-LWR E N E June - E July FAMILY GOMPH1DAE (CLUBTAILS) Arigomphus comutus Tough, 1900 homed clubtail G4 S3S4 sluggish marsh- or bog-bordered streams; muddy ponds N E-h M June - M July Arigomphus Jitrcifer Hagen, 1878 tilypad clubtail G5 S3S4 marshy ponds, lakes & sluggish streams with abundant floating vegetation Statewide (local) L May - E July Arigomphus submedianus Williamson, 1914 jade clubtail’ G5 SI backwaters; ponds; sloughs E(s) Early July Arigomphus villosipes Selys, 1854 unicorn clubtail G5 S2 ponds and sluggish streams with little vegetation E Late June Dromogomphus spinosus Selys, 1854 black-shouldered spinyleg G5 S4 streams; large lake shores N C W-StCrR W/C E June - L July Gomphus (Gomphurus) externus Hagen, 1858 plains clubtail 1 G5 S2 rivers with moderate current and turbid water W C E June - L July Gomphus (Gomphurus) fratemus Say, 1 839 midland clubtail G5 S4 relatively clean medium-large streams with at least mod. current; large lakes W N C E-h E/W L May - L July Gomphus ( Gomphurus ) lineatifrons Calvert, 1921 splendid clubtail' G4 S2 medium to large fast-flowing streams with good water quality W-StCrR N C L May - M July Gomphus (Gomphurus) vastus Walsh, 1862 cobra clubtail G5 S4 medium to large rivers with moderate to rapid current W N W/E L May - L July Gomphus (Gomphurus) ventricosus Walsh, 1863 skillet clubtail G3G4 S2S3 medium to large rapid streams with good water quality N W-StCrR C L May - L July Gomphus (Gomphus) adelphus (Selys, 1857) moustached clubtail G4 S3S4 small to medium rapid clean streams N C L May - L July Gomphus (Gomphus) viridijrons (Hine, 1901) green-faced clubtail G3 S2S3 medium to large rapid clean streams N W-StCrR C E May - M July Gomphus (Phanogomphus) exilis Selys, 1854 lancet clubtail G5 S3S4 quiet marsh-bordered lakes and streams; marshy comers of rocky streams N C E E June - L July SPECIES STATUS BREEDING HABITAT RANGE FLIGHT PERIOD Gomphus (Phanogomphus) graslinellus Walsh, 1862 pronghorn clubtail 1 G5 S2 ponds; lakes; slow streams N(w) E-h E June - L July Gomphus (Phanogomphus) lividus Selys, 1 854 ashy clubtail G5 S4 trout streams; small to medium fast streams; sheltered parts of large lakes N C L May - M July Gomphus (Phanogomphus) quadricolor Walsh, 1862 rapids clubtail G3G4 S3 small to large rapid clean streams N C/W E-h L May - M July Gomphus (Phanogomphus) spicatus Hagen, 1854 dustcy clubtail G5 S5 boggy or marshy lakes and ponds N C E L May - M July Hagenius brevistylus Selys, 1 854 dragonhunter G5 S4 protected portions of large lakes; moderate to fast forest streams N W-StCrR W/C E June - M Aug Ophiogomphus anomalus Harvey, 1 898 extra-striped snaketail 2 G2 SI medium to large fast clean streams N(w) L May - L June Ophiogomphus aspersus Morse, 1895 brook snaketail 1 G3G4 S2 small to medium fast clean sandy streams N N/W W/C L May - M June Ophiogomphus carolus Needham, 1897 riffle snaketail G5 S3 small fast rocky streams with sand N L May - M Aug Ophiogomphus colubrinus Selys, 1854 boreal snaketail G5 S4 clean cool rapid streams; trout streams N W-StCrR M June - M Aug Ophiogomphus howei Bromley, 1924 pygmy snaketail 2 G3 S3 small to large fast clean streams with gravel/sand substrate N W-StCrR L May - L June Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Walsh, 1862 rusty snaketail G5 S4 small to large fast streams N W-StCrR W/C C L May - M Aug Ophiogomphus sp. nov. Vogt & Smith, (in prep) St Croix R. snaketail 3 G1G2 SI moderately large fast clean streams with cobble/gravel/sand substrate N(w) W-StCrR L May - L June Progomphus obscurus Rambur, 1842 common sanddragon G5 S3S4 very sandy streams and lakes C N W/C W-LWR E June - L July Stylogomphus albistylus Hagen, 1878 least clubtail G5 S3 small fast streams with cobble/boulder/gravel substrate N M June - E July Stylurus amnicola Walsh, 1862 riverine clubtail G3G4 S3 medium to large rivers with fast current and sandy substrate W N C M June - E Aug Stylurus notatus Rambur, 1842 elusive clubtail 4 G3G4 S3 medium to large rivers with clean depositional sandy areas W C E(s) E June - L Sept Stylurus plagiatus Selys, 1854 russet-tipped clubtail 1 G5 S2 medium to large turbid rivers with silty sandy substrate W E(s) C L June - M Aug Stylurus scudderi Selys, 1873 zebra clubtail G3G4 S3 small to medium clean cool rapid sandy streams; trout streams N W/C E July - L Aug Stylurus spiniceps Walsh, 1862 arrow clubtail G5 S4 sandy depositional zones of relatively clean medium to fast streams N W-StCrR W(c) C M June - M Aug FAMILY CORDULEGASTRIDAE (SPIKETAILS) Cordulegaster diastatops Selys, 1854 delta-spotted spiketail 1 G5 S1S2 seeps; spring runs in clearings or brushy areas N(e) L June - E July Cordulegaster maculata Selys, 1854 twin-spotted spiketail G5 S4 small to medium fast clean forest streams; trout streams Statewide (local E,W) L May - L July Cordulegaster obliqua Say, 1839 arrowhead spiketail G4 S3 small wooded headwater seeps/streams W(Baraboo) N E-h E June - L July FAMILY MACROMIIDAE (CRUISERS) Didymops transversa Say, 1839 stream cruiser G5 S4 sandy forest streams; lakes with wave action N C W L May - E July Macromia illinoiensis Walsh, 1862 swift river cruiser G5 S4 small to large fast clean streams; exposed shores of large lakes N C/W E-h L May - M Aug Macromia pacifica Hagen, 1861 gilded river cruiser G4 SH rapid streams; one old record from Milwaukee River E-h Early July Macromia taeniolata Rambur, 1842 royal river cruiser 1 G5 SI rocky open shorelines of large southern rivers W(s) L June - E Aug FAMILY CORDULIIDAE (EMERALDS) Cordulia shurtleffi Scudder, 1866 American emerald G5 S5 quiet marshy, boggy waters; small lakes; sphagnum bog ponds NEC L May - M July Dorocordulia libera Selys, 1871 racket-tailed emerald G5 S5 bog ponds; bog- or marsh-bordered lakes N C E E June - E Aug Epitheca (Epicordulia) princeps (Hagen, 1861) prince baskettail G5 S5 larger lakes; quiet portions of medium to large rivers Statewide E June - E Aug Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) canis McLachlan, 1886 beaverpond baskettail G5 S5 bog ponds; marshy, cool streams N C M May - E July SPECIES STATUS BREEDING HABITAT RANGE FLIGHT PERIOD Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) cynosura Say, 1839 common baskettail G5 S5 marsh-bordered lakes, bays; slow stream mouths Statewide L May - M July Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) spinigera Selys, 1871 spiny baskettail G5 S5 marshy borders of lakes and slow streams N C E L May - E July Neurocordulia molesta Walsh, 1863 smoky shadowfly G3 S2 rocky segments of medium to large rivers W L May - E July Neurocordulia yamaskanensis Provancher, 1875 stygian shadowfly G5 S3 aerated rocky segments of streams; lakes W N C E E June - M June Somatochlora elongata Scudder, 1861 ski-tailed emerald G5 S3 forest streams with rapids; outlets of lakes and ponds N E June - L July Somatochlora ensigera Martin, 1906 lemon-faced emerald 1 G4 SI small streams lined with woods E(s) Late June Somatochlora forcipata Scudder, 1866 forcipate emerald G5 S3 small spring-fed boggy streams N M June - E Aug Somatochlora franklini Selys, 1878 delicate emerald 1 G5 S2 spring-fed sphagnum bogs N E June - L June Somatochlora hineana Williamson, 1931 Ohio emerald 5 G2 SI small cool calcareous marshy streams on bedrock N(Door) E July - L July Somatochlora incurvata Walker, 1918 warpaint emerald 1 G3 S2 spring-fed bogs; poor fens C M July - L Aug Somatochlora kennedyi Walker, 1925 Kennedy’s emerald G5 S3 slow streams through open bogs or marshes N E E June - L July Somatochlora minor Calvert, 1898 ocellated emerald G5 S4 clear gently-flowing forest streams N(e) L June - L July Somatochlora tenebrosa Say, 1839 clamp-tipped emerald 1 G5 S2 small forest streams with intermittent riffles and pools W(Baraboo) N E July - M Aug Somatochlora walshii Scudder, 1866 Walsh’s emerald G5 S4 small headwater streams through conifer swamps and wetlands N M June - E Aug Somatochlora williamsoni Walker, 1907 Williamson’s emerald G5 S4 quiet shady forest streams; small cool marshy streams N W(Iocal) L June - L Aug Williamsonia jletcheri Williamson, 1923 ebony boghaunter 1 G3G4 S2S3 sphagnum bog pools N(e) Mid June FAMILY LIBELLULIDAE (SKIMMERS) Celithemis elisa Hagen, 1861 calico pennant G5 S5 marshy ponds or lakes with emergent aquatics E N C E June - M Aug Celithemis eponina Drury, 1773 haltoween pennant G5 S4 ponds; lakes; slow streams E W-MissR E June - E Sept Erythemis simplicicollis Say, 1839 eastern pondhawk G5 S5 lakes; ponds; slow streams W(s) E N(local) E June - E Sept Ladona julia (Uhler, 1857) chalk-fronted skimmer G5 S5 bog ponds; swampy bays Statewide (local W) L May - L July Leucorrhinia frigida Hagen, 1890 frosted whiteface G5 S4 bog ponds; bog lakes, especially with floating sphagnum N C L May - M Aug Leucorrhinia glacialis Hagen, 1890 crimson-ringed whiteface G5 S4 bog ponds; bog lakes; marshes N C E L May - M Aug Leucorrhinia hudsonica Selys, 1850 Hudsonian whiteface G5 S4 cold marshy waters; bog ponds N L May - L June Leucorrhinia intacta Hagen, 1861 dot-tailed whiteface G5 S5 marshy bays; ponds; slow streams N C E W-LWR M May - L Sept Leucorrhinia proximo Calvert, 1890 variable whiteface G5 S4 still marshy or bog waters N E L May - M Aug Libellula cyanea Fabric ius, 1775 white-spangled skimmer 1 G5 S2 marshy ponds near floodplain forests W-LWR C L May - L June Libellula incesta Hagen, 1861 slaty skimmer 1 G5 S2 ponds; small marshy lakes; slow streams N(e) E-h E June - M July Libellula luctuosa Burmeister, 1 839 pied skimmer, widow G5 S5 ponds; small streams; marshes E C N E June - L Aug Libellula pulchella Drury, 1770 twelve -spotted skimmer G5 S5 ponds; marshy borders of lakes, bays, slow streams Statewide L May - L Sept Libellula quadrimaculata Linnaeus, 1758 four-spotted skimmer G5 S5 still waters in marshy or boggy ground Statewide (local W) L May - E Aug Libellula semifasciata Burmeister, 1839 painted skimmer G5 SH forest brooks; marshy bays; ponds E-h E July - L July Libellula vibrans Fabricius, 1793 great blue skimmer G5 SH marshes; standing water E-h June SPECIES STATUS BREEDING HABITAT RANGE FLIGHT PERIOD Nannothemis bella Uhler, 1857 elfin skimmer 1 G4 S3 floating sphagnum bogs; fens N E(s) M June - E Aug Pachydiplax longipennis Burmeister, 1839 blue dasher G5 S5 lakes; ponds; marsh-edged streams W(s) N C M June - M Aug Pantala flavescens Fabricius, 1798 wandering glider G5 S4 small standing waterbodies; temporary and artificial ponds C E W N(Door) M July - E Sept Pantala kymenaea Say, 1839 spot-winged glider G5 S4 small standing waterbodies; temporary and artificial ponds NEW L June - M Sept Perithemis tenera Say, 1839 eastern amberwing G5 S4 ponds; quiet streams; backwaters W(s) E E June - L July Plathemis lydia (Drury, 1 770) common whitetail G5 S5 ponds; puddles; quiet stream pools; marshes Statewide L May - M Oct Sympetrum corruptum Hagen, 1861 variegated meadowhawk G5 S4 ponds; slow streams in arid, sandy or gravelly areas E N(e) E July - M Sept Sympetrum costiferum Hagen, 1861 saffron-bordered meadowhawk G5 S4 reedy marshes bordering sandy, gravelly ponds E N E July - M Sept Sympetrum danae Sulzer, 1776 black meadowhawk G5 S3 marshy ponds, especially bog ponds N E L Aug - E Oct Sympetrum internum Montgomery, 1943 cherry -faced meadowhawk G5 S4 marshes; ponds; slow shady streams N(e) E M June - M Sept Sympetrum obtrusum Hagen, 1867 white-faced meadowhawk G5 S5 temporary to permanent ponds in fields or pastures; marshes N C E M June - M Oct Sympetrum rubicundulum Say, 1839 ruby meadowhawk G5 S4 ponds; ditches; open marshes; slow streams N E-h E June - M Sept Sympetrum semicinctum Say, 1839 band- winged meadowhawk G5 S4 spring-fed ponds and marshes NEC E July - L Aug Sympetrum vicinum Hagen, 1861 yellow-legged meadowhawk G5 S5 marshes; slow streams; permanent ponds N C E M Aug - M Sept Tramea Carolina Linnaeus, 1763 violet-masked glider 1 G5 S2 ponds; small lakes; quiet water with firm bottom E/N L June Tramea lacerata Hagen, 1861 black-mantled glider G5 S5 ponds; small lakes; open marshy lagoons and bays E C N(Door) E June - E Oct Tramea onusta Hagen, 1861 red-mantled glider G5 S3 ponds; small lakes E N(Door) W(local) M June - L July REPORTED FROM WISCONSIN, BUT NOT SUBSTANTIATED: COMMENTS: Dromogomphus spoliatus Hagen, 1858 flag-tailed spinyleg G4G5 SRF Likely to be found in southern WI. Habitat: medium streams, small lakes. Cordulegaster sayi Selys, 1854 Say’s spiketail G1G2 SRF Unlikely; possibly Cordulegaster erronea, known from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Dorocordulia lepida Hagen, 1871 petite emerald G5 SR Unlikely; probably Dorocordulia libera. Celithemis fasciata Kirby, 1889 banded pennant (= C. monomelaena Williamson, 1910 black-spotted pennant, G5Q SR) G5 SR Likely to be found in southern WI. Habitat: ponds, small lakes. Not included in checklist because authors have not seen primary source or specimen, although a secondary report does exist in the literature. 1 . Under review for state listing as endangered or threatened 2. State endangered; under federal review for listing as endangered or threatened 3. Proposed for state listing and under review for federal listing as endangered or threatened 4. Under review for federal listing as endangered or threatened 5. Proposed for state and federal listing as endangered NEWSLETTER OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 20(2): 1993 1992 XERCES SOCIETY NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY COUNT Ann Swengel The 18th annual Fourth of July Butterfly Count, sponsored by the Xerces Society, was held in the summer of 1992. Volunteer participants conducted a one-day census of all butterflies observed at sites within the count area, a 15-mile diameter circle. Most counts were held in late June and July. The 185 counts held in 1992 represent a considerable increase from the 1991 total of 149 and 124 in 1990. The number of people participating in each count adds up to 1,297, although some people are tallied more than once, since they participated in two or more counts. The year's counts included 50 first year counts (39 in 1991 and 22 in 1990). The 1992 counts occurred in 39 states (five more than last year), four Canadian provinces (one more than last year), as well as one state in Mexico (none last year). California and Wisconsin tied for state with the most counts (15). Four counts, Berkely, California; Gilpin County, Colorado; High Line Canal, Colorado; and Lower Pearl River! Louisiana/Mississippi, have been held for all 1 8 years of the count program. Three counts surpassed the previous all-time high for species diversity of adult butterflies on a single count in North America north of Mexico. The previous record was 97, achieved by both the Gilpin County (lower circle) Colorado count in 1981 and the Ramsey Canyon, Arizona count in 1991. The new record is 102, achieved by the Patagonia, Arizona count, followed by 101 by the Gilpin County (lower circle), Colorado and 98 by the Atascosa Highlands, Arizona. In Mexico, the Puerta Vallarta count beat the previous record it set (115 species in 1990) with an amazing 169 in 1992. By counting a mind-boggling total of 16,994 adult butterfly individuals, the Klamath Falls, Oregon count demolished the previous record total of 10,475 individuals on the Ramsey Canyon, Arizona count in 1987. The 1992 counts clearly reflected the lower numbers of "Mexican" Danaus plexippus (the monarch population breeding east of the Rocky Mountains and wintering in Mexico) compared to last year, as measured by monarchs per party-hour of counting effort. The average number per party-hour for counts within the breeding area of Mexican monarchs declined about 75%, but still remained about three times higher than the average in 1988, which was about as hot and dry a summer as 1992 was cool and gray. The 1992 results fall within the range of average for all years since 1980. Since the 1991 counts produced the highest levels of Mexican monarchs ever recorded by the count program, the decline from 1991 to 1992 was quite obvious, but we should remember when making comparisons that 1991 was at least as good a year for monarchs as 1991 was poor. Butterfly counters around the country should be proud that their effort is being used to monitor the ups and downs of the Mexican monarchs, as reported in the October 13, 1992 New York Times. For the second year in a row, the painted lady ( Vanessa cardui) was widespread and abundant throughout the continent. In 1991, 94 of 149 counts (63%) reported this species, compared to 139 of 185 counts (75%) in 1992. The 1991 counts averaged 28.9 painted ladies per count; in 1992 the average was 27.3. By contrast, in the years 1987-1989, the percentage of counts reporting this species varied from 27-32% and the average individuals per count ranged from 1 .4 to 2. 1 . WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Les Ferge, Editor 7119 Hubbard Avenue Middleton, Wl 53562 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED