Along with the heat of July, we see plenty of active insects. Most Northlanders think of mosquitoes, deer flies and horse flies during these days, but myriads of others abound now, too. Bees and hornets are enlarging their colonies. Butterflies brighten the days with a variety of color while moths flutter throughout the warm nights. Aware of the opportunities, other insects move in to feed on all these winged meals.
Dragonflies have been with us since the first large green darners arrived in late April. Slowly, other kinds emerged from a youth under water. During June, we saw many of these aerial exits.
Most hold various patterns of brown, black and white and bare names such as: whiteface, whitetail, skimmer, emerald and the chalk-fronted corporals that have been quite abundant during this early summer. White patches on the thorax and abdomen are responsible for this interesting label.
But the variety of dragonflies continue. These hot summer days are good times to observe some of the more colorful dragonflies -- the pennants. Being only about one and half inch long with a wingspan of maybe three inches, the pennants grab our attention with colorful patterns on the wings, especially the hindwings. {IMG2}
This arrangement varies from a brown to reddish tone that stands out as they flutter the four wings in typical dragonfly flight. The Northland is home to two kinds of pennants that carry the notable names of halloween and calico.
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Both types have wing spots that can cause the casual observer to confuse them. A closer look reveals differences. Halloween pennants have a brown body with dark bands on the wings. These black patches along with the rather orangish color between them accounts for the name of halloween pennant.
Calico pennant males have lighter markings on the front wings, but sport a large red pattern on the hind wings. This red continues on the long abdomen. With these red zones, they have also been called valentine pennants. Females are lighter in color.
Like other dragonflies, pennants spend the immature stages as an aquatic organism. The larvae prowl the water world and use their grasping lower lip to devour a variety of insects here. Surviving the winter, they climb up on shore plants, sticks or even a dock. Here they split down the back of their exoskeleton and step into adulthood. This means wings and flying replace their earlier means of locomotion.
And instead of moving beneath the water, they go overhead. But they keep their predaceous ways and adults also feed on bugs. Huge eyes, powerful wings and grasping legs allow for successful hunting.
During these hot afternoons, we may see them perched on grassy resting sites in fields and roadsides. By positioning their bodies and wings, they are able to cope with the heat. These colorful critters are always a delight to see.
Larry Weber is author of the "Backyard Almanac" and "Butterflies of the Northwoods." He lives in Carlton County and teaches natural science at Duluth's Marshall School.
