[Odonata-l] Female Ophiogomphus ID Request

[tdonelly@binghamton.edu]

Bryan - Ophiogomphus females are a challenge. The occipital horns are poor
characters.  They are highly variable, often absent, and commonly broken
off, esp. following cop.

The better characters are the POST occipital horns, if present, on the
rear of the head, and the subgenital plate.  The latter is fairly variable
also, leaving -  a mess.

I think your illustrations are of mainensis.

You should be alerted to the possibility of hybrids.  I have seen two
examples of carolux X rupinsulensis females from Massachusetts.

Nick
>
> Learning a lesson in humility, I'm embarrassed to report that I'm
> wandering
> the keys aimlessly on this female Ophiogomphus:
> http://www.wingsenvironmental.com/ophio.html
> She's from Vermont on 13Jul2005 (and lacking any post-occipital horns).
> Any wisdom would be most welcome. Thanks.
>
> --Bryan Pfeiffer
>
>
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>
> Ecological Inventories of Birds and Insects.
>
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