[Odonata-l] Appearance Of large ovipositing female unidentified member of the Macromiidae family after first sighting of giant pair ovipositing in same area

[Martha Smith]

First, I reread my last posting AND I know what you all are thinking!!!  I
apologize!  BUT--only observing a very small sample (area & population),
over a very long period of time and making *VALID* observations is NOT
without precedent.

Here is a sample of something very cool:  In  April of 2005, I posted a
sighting of the largest dragonfly we ever saw, ovipositing under the bushes
adjacent to the site where the Libellula vibrans usually do.  The
oviposition actually took place in 2003 (check archives under Martha Edwards
Smith for April 11-2005).  We have never had any of the Macromiidae family
habitats-they may have passed through-but not established anything.  It took
2 years after the first appearance of the first singular male Libellula
vibrans, to establish a habitat where males would bring  females back for
ovipositing on a regular basis (my videos not, only establish this, but we
can predict their reapearance in our habitat within 2 days of June 11--since
2001-my first posting June 11, 2001.

I wasn't planning to film just after Isabel went through so I don't have
their pics-but, I noted the date, and by comparing the behavior of the Lv
group--I figured we might have something pop up in 2005-2 years after the
first GIANT pair.  Interestingly, though, we did notice in 2006, one or two
Macromiidae  types about *1/2 the size* of the original pair that had quite
similar markings, fly through the space a few times.  *BUT*, in 2007, *FOR
THE FIRST TIME*, we had a very large type of a Macromiidea oviposite right
in the main oviposition area (4'X10" area-in full sun from about 10:45-2:45
most of the summer).  I think this female was a bit bigger that the ones
that flew through in 2006, but I have no pics of those in 2006--- BUT, in
2007, *I got some great, fairly closeup. film of the female ovipositing just
under my camera--and the place of oviposition is less than 10' from the
position of the oviposition of the original pair!  *I actually may be able
to figure out a *very* *tentative*--tiimeline for the action---time and film
will have to establish if my assumption might be correct.

   1.  Hurricane causes pair to establish another colony position
   2.  Oviposition
   3.  2-3 years for cycle to reach adult stage
   4.  Another 2-3 years for enough males and females to survive in each
respective, local, habitat to reach the
       reproductive cycle in the respective area and oviposite-(Thus, why
there was, seemingly, only one in our small
       area at a time, for 2 years)
   5. If you look-way up-in our 80' tree canopy you can see, ever so
faintly--almost, invisible, the transparent
       discoloration of the sky made by the wings of dragonflies perched on
the highest small dead branches keeping
       track of the best places to *diversify*---and probably, noting where
the males or females are emerging for
       respective site population.

Consequently, the GIANT pair of 2003, could have been local swamp/river
Macromiidae that were forced out of their normal habitat in the storm---and
possibly were ones that were able to grow incredibly large as nymphs in our
mosquito infested lowlands.  You won't believe the picture of the 7' water
moccasin I got last year in the stream that goes through our
neighborhood--and I plod through to watch the other dragonfly habitats in
our neighborhood--and right where I was when I filmed the calopteryx with
the luminous film! (see notes about this site at the bottom before you check
it out, if you want
http://marthasmith.neptune.com/?selectedalbum=marthasmith162309

Sincerely,

Martha Edwards Smith

Extra information for those who are interested:

Being *painfully* aware of my ignorance, Odonata credentials---and
especially of the rather fantastic nature of my claims, *IS WHY I FILM,* in
addition to the fact that Toxo is rather Malarial in nature-if you don't
have a good immune system  and especially if you've had encephalitis before,
it can come and go at will (I don't have HIV).

There are times I cannot communicate well at all---*FILM* (relatively
unedited) relieves me of the *pain* of worrying whether any of you believe
me!  *I want you to see the things I observe*--describing them in words-only
makes me look insane!

I started creating this website with audio and music to share some of the
things I have seen and recorded.  But I must advance a few comments--I was
pretty sick when I started doing it and the stuff on it now is the first
attempts at filming and uploading--and some of it, even though it is poor
quality--records things that I might not ever catch again-so it has to
stay.  I haven't uploaded any new material, since I have gotten so much
better--it is amazing and WILL be up in the future--a major issue is my
camera computer chip has gone bad and won't allow me to hook it up to my
computer to upload and edit.  I have a Sony Digital HandyCam TRV520--I need
to replace it with a good one that will play and hook up to a USB port--I
LOVE this camera and am so afraid to send it off--because at least, I can
still keep recording.  Unfortunately right now, cost is a major issue and
the fact that cameras are going to disc format and, also, the major
capability to stop the tapes and see the individual frames for catching the
incredibly fast behaviors-ie. forelegs cleaning the eyes and the head
revolving almost 360 degrees--and being able to stop the movement frame by
frame.  Does anyone know where I can get a used one???? A newer one that can
play my Hi8 tapes would be okay.

If you choose to go to this site, you must click to enter and see the
albums.  MOST IMPORTANT:  the calopteryx albums are very dark, and *I MEANT
TO CREATE THE CALPOTERYX VIDEOS BY TAKING THE ORIGINAL VIDEO APART FRAME BY
FRAME AND EXTENDING THE TIME YOU SEE EACH FRAME TO ACCENTUATE THE ACTION OF
THE BEHAVIORS--IE. THE CALOPTERYX LIFTING UP ITS ABDOMEN ALMOST AS IF THE
SOMEWHAT LUMINOUS SUBSTANNCE CATCHES THE LIGHT AND BRIGHTENS TO SIGNAL FOR A
PARTNER*--this film is dark and resolution is an issue--which is why the
music helps--just look at it as if it is somewhat of an artistic
entertainment--at the end of one of those albums in the upper left corner,
you'll actually see a frogs eye come to the surface and blink-*just before
the calopteryx flies off*--what incredible eyesight!--it is very wierd-and
quite surreal!!--Obviously, it goes to show you, how much we don't perceive,
if we are focused on something else.

http://marthasmith.neptune.com/?selectedalbum=marthasmith162309
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