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Odonate Study in
Massachusetts
: The New age
Blair Nikula
Abstract:
Odonate study in
Massachusetts
dates back over a century and a half, providing one of the most extensive
historical records anywhere in
North America
. However, until recently, this work was done by a small handful of individuals,
most working alone at various times through the 20th Century. A
dramatic change occurred following the publication of Ginger Carpenter’s Dragonflies
and Damselflies of Cape Cod in 1991. This watershed guide, only the second
odonate field guide to be published in North America, resulted in a tremendous
increase of interest in these fascinating insects, and the number of odonatists
active in the state has since increased exponentially since. This welcome
development has greatly accelerated the data gathered on the distribution and
abundance of the state’s 165+ odonate species, resulting in six new species
being added to the state list, along with scores of new county records.
Additionally, this “new age” of odonatology has spawned an odonate
newsletter, a state field guide, a beginner’s guide, an introductory video,
and most recently a DVD, all offspring of Carpenter’s seminal work. Yet,
despite this all, we have barely scratched the surface in our understanding of
the state’s odonate fauna. In this talk I review what we have learned over the
past decade, point out how little we yet know, and take a brief peak into the
exciting times ahead.
Biography: Blair
Nikula, a life-long birder, has been studying and photographing dragonflies and
damselflies for about 15 years. He is an editor of Ode News, a newsletter
about the odonates of southern
New England
, and maintains a related web site (www.odenews.net). He is also a co-author of
the Stokes’ Beginner’s Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies as well
as A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts. He
currently serves as an associate member of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage
& Endangered Species Program Advisory Committee.
Contact Info:
Blair Nikula,
2 Gilbert Lane
,
Harwich Port
,
MA
02646
. Email: odenews@odenews.net |