Catoctin Mountain Park Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey

Submitted by Holly Rogers, Student Conservation Association Intern
Catoctin Mountain Park

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At Catoctin Mountain Park, Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies, led by researcher Richard Orr, is conducting a survey to determine the species of dragonflies and damselflies found in the park. Damselflies and dragonflies, referred to collectively as odonates, are indicator species. When the aquatic ecosystem odonates live in is degraded, the population of odonates decreases. Currently, there is no data on the number of these species in the park. Odonates are important to aquatic ecosystems because they are first level trophic predators. Any information on damselfly and dragonfly presence in Catoctin Mountain Park would help the Park staff decide how to best protect the odonates as well as the ecosystem in which they live.

So far, 20 species of odonates—15 dragonfly and 5 damselfly species—have been found in Catoctin. Two state listed rare species of dragonflies, Gomphus rogersi and Lanthus vernalis, were found. Catoctin Mountain Park was also found to contain two indigenous genera of dragonflies, Epiaeschna and Epicordulia, that are unique and have no counterparts anywhere else in the world. The Catoctin survey will be added to the other MAIFS studies done in Maryland, including Cunningham Falls State Park, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Frederick County Watershed. All of these studies will ultimately lead to a better understanding of our current watershed health.

Lanthus vernalis emerging from its larval stage. Right after emergence, the exoskeleton of the odonate is soft and weak, making the insect the most prone to damage from any pollutants that might be present at this time.

Female Ebony Jewelwing damselfly, Calopteryx maculata