Dragonfly Walk

Over 40 people came to pursue dragonflies at Sutter's Landing on Saturday. The dragonflies largely stayed away, except those on the barbed wire by the mound, but damselflies and cabbage white butterflies were abundant down by the river. There were several budding entomologists in the group who made spectacular catches (see photos below). Although the dragonflies were busy elsewhere, Greg had lots of stories and information about those we saw and other insects (including the Sesiid moths that look like wasps and hang around his pheromone-soaked plastic). Greg's final summary of the day is below. Thanks to all the kids and adults who worked those nets, and thanks, especially, to Greg Kareofelas for sharing his time and expertise on a beautiful day. --Laurie

FROM GREG:
Here is what I saw today during the event:
Butterflies: total of four different: Tiger swallowtail, Buckeyes, Cabbage Whites (what all the kids were catching) and Pyrgus communis (the small gray skippers)
Dragonflies: total of five different
• Green Darner, Blue Darner.
• Variegated Meadow hawk (the ones on the barbed wire)
• Spot winged Glider
• Black Saddlebags
Damselflies: One different for sure, maybe others mixed in: Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civilie) This is the damselfly all the kids were catching or at least the one that Ella gave me to ID for her. .
&, of course, we saw the one Moth. Its name is Sesia tibialis  Hodge number: 2543.
 
The pic [below] is of the Sympetrum we got at the end of the walk by the levee.

Cheers, greg