Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Dragonfly and Damselfly Monitoring at Nachusa Grasslands

We’ve monitored dragonflies and damselflies since 2013 at Nachusa Grasslands. As of 2017, there are six volunteer dragonfly monitors who report data to Nachusa Grasslands and the state of Illinois. Aesthetically, many dragonflies are beautiful. They make our natural areas a prettier place. But more importantly, because they spend so much of their life underwater as nymphs, dragonflies can tell us something about water quality and its changes over time. We also monitor dragonfly migration, which is still not completely understood by science. Dragonflies may also tell us about weather changes over time, as we follow their population and species numbers. 
Seeing Dragonflies and Damselflies at Nachusa Grasslands
The best viewing times are from mid-May to the end of October in one of our accessible public hiking areas. Look for them on warm sunny days without a lot of wind, hovering over the prairie or perching in the grasses by a stream. A good dragonfly ID book such as "Stokes Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies" is an excellent place to start learning more about these amazing creatures.
Picture
​Dragonfly Monitors
MONITOR  / UNIT MONITORING
  • Cindy Crosby
    DRAGONFLY STEWARD COORDINATOR
  • Joyce Gibbons 
    HEINKLE​​  & THELMA CARPENTER
  • Bill Kruk
    BIG JUMP​​
  • Joe Richardson 
    HOOK LARSON WEST
  • Mark Jordan
    ​TELLABS
  • Joan Heng
    SAND FARM

How can I become a Dragonfly and Damselfly Monitor?

It's easy! Just contact Cindy Crosby and tell her you want to be a monitor.

Can you find these species at Nachusa?

Damselflies you might see . . .
Picture
Springwater Dancer ♂
 Argia plana
Picture
Violet Dancer ♂
Argia fumipennis violacea
Picture
River Bluet ♂
 Enallagma anna ​
Picture
Eastern Forktail ♂
Ischnura veticalis
Picture
Fragile Forktail ♂
Ischnura posita
Picture
Slender Spreadwing ♂ ​
Lestes rectangularis
Dragonflies you might see . . .
Picture
Common Whitetail ♀ 
Libellula lydia
Picture
Common Whitetail ♂ ​
Libellula lydia
Picture
Eastern Pondhawk ♀
Erythemis simplicicollis
Picture
Widow Skimmer ♂
Libellula luctuosa
Picture
Twelve-Spotted Skimmer ♂
Libellula pulchella
Picture
Blue Dasher ♂
Pachydiplax longipennis
For a complete list of dragonflies and damselflies seen at Nachusa, visit our Insect website page.

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​8772 S. Lowden Road          |         Franklin Grove, IL 61031          |         Contact Us


© 2017 FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS  
  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission and Leadership
    • Endowments
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hike App
    • Bison Viewing
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Public Tours
    • Pet Policy
    • Things to Do
    • Autumn on the Prairie
    • Places to Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Saturday Morning Workdays
    • Workdays – November to April
    • Workday Email List
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Stewardship Resources
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants 2019
    • Science Grants 2018
    • Science Grants 2017
    • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
    • Science Grants 2016
    • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • Science Grants 2015
    • Science Grants 2014
    • 2013/2012/2011 Science Grants
    • Testimonials >
      • Dr. Holly Jones
      • Dr. Nick Barber
      • Kimberly Elsenbroek
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Plants & Animals >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • Mammals
      • Bison
      • Reptiles
      • Plants
    • Annual Reports
    • Newsletters
    • History of Nachusa Grasslands
    • Hunting
    • Geology of Nachusa Grasslands >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • Nachusa Memories
    • Websites of Interest
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery–Winter
  • Contact Us
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