Interview with the coordinator of the Ohio Dragonfly Survey

MaLisa SpringMaLisa Spring, State Coordinator for the Ohio Dragonfly Survey, sat down with us to talk about the Ohio Dragonfly Survey and its focus – dragonflies and damselflies!

Hilary: “Tell us about yourself!”

MaLisa: “I completed a Bachelor’s in Biology with a minor in Spanish at Marietta College, Ohio. While I was there I did a couple of research projects related to insects and completed my senior thesis on bee diversity. It was then that I decided that I wanted to go to grad school, and I ended up attending OSU, where I received my Master’s degree in Entomology.

I worked with native pollinators for my undergraduate, but I also did a small project on lady beetle diversity and completed an internship on insect diversity. Overall, I’m just broadly interested in entomology and so when there was a mention of a dragonfly survey coming up and that they were interested in hiring someone for the survey, I was all for it – it sounded great! I then landed the job as the state coordinator for the Ohio Dragonfly Survey in May of 2017.

Hilary: “What is the Ohio Dragonfly Survey and what is its goal?”

MaLisa: “The Ohio Dragonfly Survey is a citizen science project with the goal of getting people outside, to notice dragonflies and damselflies, and to submit their observations to the survey via iNaturalist.org. Our goal right now is to figure out where species are throughout the state and to document the status of the threatened and endangered species. Ohio has 167 species of dragonflies and damselflies and we have 23 species that are state-listed as either endangered, threatened, or a species of concern, but there could be several more species added to that list. Additionally, the Hines Emerald (Somatochlora hineana) is the only federally endangered species in our state and it hasn’t been seen since at least 1989, so it might be extirpated (locally extinct, but surviving elsewhere).”

Double-striped bluet (pond damselfly)

Double-striped bluet

Hilary: “What are some of the greatest threats to dragonflies?”

MaLisa: “There are many threats to dragonflies and damselflies. Habitat loss and degradation are two of the biggest ones. Compared to the species richness between now and say the 1950s, there’s a huge difference. For example, Ohio used to have the Great Black Swamp, a several county-large swamp up in northwestern Ohio, but it was drained and turned into agricultural fields. Reducing hectares of wetlands into ditches created a vastly different habitat for the dragonflies and damselflies of this region, resulting in a significant change in the number of species that used to live here.

Other challenges are pesticides and especially herbicide run off.  Herbicides affect plants and certain species of dragonflies and damselflies lay their eggs inside of specific plants. If those plants aren’t there for them to lay eggs in, then the species cannot survive. They also need plants at the edge of water, so if people are mowing down plants at the edge of ponds or other ideal aquatic habitats, then the dragonflies and damselflies don’t have anywhere to emerge after their larvae stage to spread their wings to dry, and so they die.”

Hilary: “What is the life cycle of a dragonfly or damselfly?”

MaLisa: “Immature dragonflies and damselflies, also referred to as water nymphs (naiads) or larvae, reside in the water or aquatic systems, where they can live anywhere between 3 weeks to several years (it depends on the species). Some species are migratory, so they migrate to and from Ohio, but others overwinter in Ohio as larvae in the water systems and then emerge in either the spring or summer (again, it depends on the species) as adults, where their lifespans can range from two weeks to up to a couple of months.

Hilary: “How can you tell a dragonfly and a damselfly apart?”

MaLisa: “Dragonflies and damselflies are in the order odonata and are divided into two separate groups, Anisoptera and Zygotpera. You can differentiate the two based on the wing positioning for the most part, but not always. Dragonflies tend to hold their wings out like a biplane, whereas damselflies tend to hold their wings behind their back like a sailboat.

Another way to differentiate them is based on their size. Most dragonflies are larger than damselflies. But again, there’s an exception to the rule with the body of some damselflies being longer than that of some dragonflies. If you want to get into the nitty gritty to tell them apart, you can look at their eyes to see how separated they are from each other. All damselflies have their eyes well separated on their head, whereas most dragonflies (excluding the Clubtails) have their eyes at least touching.”

Hilary: “For the public to get involved in the survey, do they need to collect specimens?”

MaLisa: “For the most part, we’ve learned that the public doesn’t want to collect specimens, which is okay as photographing them instead is perfectly acceptable. However, if they are interested in collecting specimens we ask that they look on our webpage and follow our collection protocols.”

Hilary: “Will you be at the Open House for the Museum of Biological Diversity on April 7th?”

MBD Open House April 7th, 2018

MaLisa: “I will definitely be here for the Open House event, if anyone wants to ask me any dragonfly questions!”

To learn more about the Ohio Dragonfly Survey, access this link: http://u.osu.edu/ohioodonatasurvey/

Contributing to the survey is as easy as taking photos of dragonflies and damselflies and submitting them to iNaturalist.org! Learn more here.

Want to learn more about dragonflies and damselflies? Check out this page for upcoming talks, presentations, and community events. Or download a guide to dragonflies and damselflies of Ohio from the Ohio Division Wildlife.

Hilary HirtleAbout the Author: Hilary Hirtle is the Faculty Affairs Coordinator at the OSU Department of Family Medicine; her interest in natural history brings her to the museum to interview faculty and staff and use her creative writing skills to report about her experiences.

67 thoughts on “Interview with the coordinator of the Ohio Dragonfly Survey

    • Well, this is great knowledge, in addition to getting unique writing techniques with the best CV For Jobs UAE for making impressive projects effectively on time that boost performance.

  1. MaLisa is such a sweet girl =) I think we met in the office of the company CARSHE in 2018. I wish her success with the national program for the study of dragonflies.

  2. Necessary marketing communications that you really convenient search previous to putting up. It’s going to convenient to write down better write-up in which. Bialetti

  3. An additional problem which on the internet chatting could provide is a self-belief on the person. Because it will be less difficult in order to discuss on the web, an individual that’s incredibly self conscious as well as shy could possibly have trouble using by using exactly who they really is actually. Anybody rather is much like dwelling the two oceans. olxtoto macau

  4. You wouldn’t picture the best way it could possibly greatly change your current plastic surgery destin fl profits by just practising the particular key points included in seduction strategies. SimsFinds

  5. My partner and i favour your overall write-up. It could be great to look at any person describe inside terms from the aerobic in addition to lucidity because of this essential problem could be swiftly noticed. 온라인홀덤

  6. The book is great, but this review is not exactly spot-on. Being a Superhero is more about selecting foods that heal your body, not just eating meat/dairy-free. Processed foods like those mentioned in this review aren’t what Alicia is trying to promote. If you aren’t open to sea vegetables (and yes, I’m talking sea weed), just stop at vegan. olxtoto.

  7. In todays news reporting clever journalists work their own slant into a story. Bloggers use it promote their works and many just use it for fun or to stay in touch with friends far away. https://mitsn.nl/

  8. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was carrying out a little analysis within this. And the man in fact bought me breakfast because I came across it for him.. smile. So ok, i’ll reword that: Thnx to the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending time go over this, I’m strongly about it and enjoy reading much more about this topic. If you can, as you become expertise, can you mind updating your website to comprehend details? It truly is highly great for me. Big thumb up just for this short article! film izle

  9. I’m so glad that i visited your blog page. your submit is charming and provide me a little beneficial facts which make me got an notion of my new online site. Many thanks. Wish you always keep it up. Water Heater Repair

  10. Good post. I learn something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It would always be stimulating to read content material from different writers and follow a little one thing from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing. Custom shoes

  11. Nice post. I understand some thing more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating you just read content off their writers and employ a little something from their website. I’d choose to use some with all the content on my small blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link with your web weblog. Thank you for sharing. South African coffee

  12. I am usually to blogging i really appreciate your posts. This great article has really peaks my interest. Let me bookmark your website and maintain checking for brand new information. erotische dates

  13. An impressive share, I merely given this onto a colleague who had been doing a small analysis within this. And that he actually bought me breakfast since I discovered it for him.. smile. So ok, i’ll reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending time to talk about this, I’m strongly about this and love reading regarding this topic. If you can, as you grow expertise, would you mind updating your website with more details? It is extremely of great help for me. Massive thumb up for this text! persoonlijke advertenties

  14. I just wanted to tell you how much my partner and i appreciate anything you’ve discussed to help improve the lives of men and women in this subject matter. Through your current articles, I have gone through just a newcomer to a professional in the area. It’s truly a gratitude to your good work. Thanks Nobel Calling Cards IMAT EXAM

  15. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything such as this prior to. So nice to locate somebody by incorporating original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this amazing site is a thing that is needed over the internet, a person after some originality. useful project for bringing something new to your net! counselor for women

  16. bless you with regard to the particular blog post ive really been searching regarding this kind of information on the web for sum time right now as a result cheers visit the blog

  17. I precisely desired to say thanks again. I am not sure what I could possibly have tried in the absence of those ideas contributed by you relating to such a topic. It had become a distressing condition in my view, however , being able to view the well-written tactic you processed it made me to weep over joy. Extremely grateful for your guidance and believe you realize what an amazing job you’re doing instructing others with the aid of a web site. Most likely you haven’t come across any of us. sex dates

  18. Thanks for such a fantastic blog. Where else could anyone get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a presentation that I am presently writhing on, and I have been on the look out for such great information. Khasab Musandam tour

  19. I enjoy reading it. I fundamental to learn more on this subject.. Thanks for the sake theme this marvellous post.. Anyway, I am gonna subscribe to your silage and I wish you post again soon. olxtoto togel login

  20. I admit, I have not been on this web page in a long time… however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues. 搜狗输入法下载官网

  21. Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards, 搜狗输入法最新下载

  22. You have the absolute coolest physics blog ever. The only thing is, I don’t understand the high level of physics this is talkinga about. I find it fascinating though. visit the site

  23. Very good written article. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts. 창신

  24. It’s on top of that a superb upload that him and i definitely treasured analyzing. It’s actually not each day we have opportunity to know a specific thing. wps下载

  25. The subsequent seems including it goes without saying excellent. Almost all these trivial details are meant by employing volume of footing understanding. I love to these individuals drastically. telegram x下载

  26. The subsequent seems including it goes without saying excellent. Almost all these trivial details are meant by employing volume of footing understanding. I love to these individuals drastically. 丝瓜下载

  27. It’s on top of that a superb upload that him and i definitely treasured analyzing. It’s actually not each day we have opportunity to know a specific thing. LUCK8

  28. I can’t believe focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material without a doubt. It is one of the greatest contents. 69vn15

  29. hello!! Very interesting discussion glad that I came across such informative post. Keep up the good work friend. Glad to be part of your net community. u88

  30. That is why a good idea is you need to connected examine prior to producing. You can actually distribute greater distribute this way. kuwin789

  31. That are most certainly awesome. A great number of tiny details are designed needing lot of qualifications ability. We’re attracted in the piece many. nohu90

  32. Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article that ive been waited for therefore long. i want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share. miso88

  33. This is certainly in the process an exceptionally superior ad people very seriously suffered browsing thru. It is actually hardly every single day you’ll find associated risk to visit a little something. 123win

  34. This is why it is better that you should linked review before developing. It is possible to post superior send that way. v9bet

  35. Effortlessly these pages will likely irrefutably probably become well-known concerning several sites people, to be able to the thorough content or even thoughts. ww88

  36. Though when i received with your world-wide-web wood even so putting understanding just a bit hint submits. Pleasant technique for likely, I am book-marking on a time uncover designs consider spgs technique in place. qh88

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *