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Neuropterans: Lacewings, Antlions, and OwlfliesTrippy Dragonfly-Hemet, California
Hi Bugman!
I was searching initially for what was attacking my tomatoes…your site is wonderful and I will begin treatment after I send you this photo of a dragonfly I caught flying at night a few weeks ago. It is SO beautiful, but my pix are not. ‘Twas hard to get a good one. When I released him after his photo shoot, he seemed to disappear! The black and white markings seem to work well at night! What is he, and is he common to southern California?
Teresa
Hemet, California
Hi Teresa,
Your Antlion photo has us quite puzzled. This is a near perfect match to Glenurus gratis, an Antlion that BugGuide lists as ranging in: “Southeastern United States: New Jersey, Indiana, Missouri, south to Florida. ” That leads us to three conclusions. The range for the species is grossly underestimated, or this is a west coast species or subspecies in the genus, or this is a rogue escapee somehow transported to the far reaches of Hemet California. We are contacting Eric Eaton to get his opinion.
Daniel:
The genus is correct, but depending on what resource you use, there is one or two species in the western U.S. So, it is a Glenurus, just not Glenurus gratus. We could use these images over at Bugguide. John Oswald sometimes visits and can probably put a species on it eventually.
Eric
Hey Daniel,
I did as told (I think) and got the pix to Eric @ BugGuide. Thank YOU for the interest. It has given me and my family untold fun to be a part of this scientific adventure. You and yours rock!
Teresa
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