Well, I’ve finally seen a damselfly this year. Yesterday, I saw exactly two at the Sylvan Water in Green-Wood. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I did find something to share with you. This is an exuvia, the shed husk of the underwater larval stage of damsel- and dragonflies. This one is a damselfly, I think. UPDATED: I’m thinking wrong. Above is a dragonfly. Damselflies, like the one below, have three appendages coming off the end of the abdomen; these are external gills. 
And this one looks to be a dragonfly. SEE ABOVE. However, this one didn’t make it. (The larvae emerge from the water, grab a hold of something, and then the adult breaks through the husk, to harden its exoskeleton over the next hours.) 
The only dragonflies about the Sylvan Water were Eastern Amberwings. The Valley Water, site of many previous Odonata adventures, had no sign of either damsels or dragons. There are no lily pads there now, and judging from last year, I suspect it will not be very productive as we get further into the heat of summer. The lily pads were the great sport and joy of several species.
Odonata Days
Published June 19, 2017 Fieldnotes 2 CommentsTags: Brooklyn, damselflies, dragonflies, Green-Wood, insects, invertebrates
I saw a few at the NYBG last Tuesday in their native flora garden. Lots of dragonflies too, but photography was difficult since they weren’t perching. I did suggest to one of the staff that a few sticks placed in the water might improve visibility.
Messy is really the best for life.