[Odonata-l] effect of rain on ode numbers?

[Paul M. Brunelle]

Hello All;
	I suspect rain (and the frequently attendant high wings up here in  
the Maritimes) does cause mortality in odonates - perhaps leaving  
them vulnerable to birds and other warm-blooded predators, or perhaps  
just weakening them by preventing them from feeding for extended  
periods.
	A related issue is that only two species I am familiar with in  
Acadia actually continue their activities in rain, at least light to  
moderate rain without heavy winds.
	Aeshna eremita seems indifferent to light to moderate rain -  
continuing feeding and ovipositing.
	Basiaeshna janata males continue to forage and to look for females -  
I have seen a male frantically moving from one raindrop ripple to the  
next on a lake surface - presumably interpreting each as a possible  
laying female
	Cordially,
	Paul
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Paul M. Brunelle, B.Des., FGDC
4 Hilltop Terrace, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2Y 3T1
Phone: 902-423-1845
Email: pmb at ns.sympatico.ca
Fellow of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada
Research Associate, New Brunswick Museum
Research Associate, Nova Scotia Museum
Coordinator, Maine Damselfly and Dragonfly Survey
Regional Coordinator, Atlantic Dragonfly Inventory Program
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