Michael, my suggestion was not a joke. It is a technique advocated by Kenneth Stewart, the noted aquatic entomologists who accomplished a lot of excellent research during his 40 year career at The University of North Texas . He advocated the technique to students in his aquatic entomology course for collecting aerial stages of dragonflies, and some of the students in the class used it. Dust shot leaves minute holes in the wings. The specimens are quite suitable for museum mounts and the most important taxonomic features, the wing veins, are not damaged seriously.
David ---- "J. Michael Nolan" <mno...@rainforestandreef.org> wrote: > David.... > > Only saying this jokingly! Used to keep a bulletin board in my classroom > devoted entirely to the National Enquirer. Your post below reminded me of an > article many years ago about farmers in the south, using 30-30's to shoot > Grasshoppers in their fields. One weighed in at 38 lbs.! Sounds kind of silly > to use this "publication" in a classroom, but actually, it stimulated much > interest in real science and the brief discussion sessions we had were > excellent! > > Not exactly sure how many Reserchers would have access to a .28 gauge > shotgun, I might recommend something like a .410! Am wondering even using > "dust shot" how much of the Dragonfly would be left!? Again, just joking with > you. I would also tell Aaron to look at his State Fish and Game Laws to see: > a) is a liscense needed? and b) what the limit is per day/season on this sp. > of Dragonfly? > > Aaron, you can obviously chase these guys around and use your typical > Butterfly net. About mist netting them like we might Birds or Bats, yes it > does work. Get the finest mesh mist net you can find. They usually get caught > right behind their large heads by one strand of nylon, so not too difficult > to remove. > > Thanks and best of luck! > > Mike Nolan > > > > Aaron, if you are willing to do it, and are a good enough wing shot, a 28 > gauge shotgun with dust shot works. Only tiny holes in the wings, usually > not damaging the taxonomically important features. However, if you need the > beasts alive, that is another matter. > > If your collection location is marsh, a small boat and patience will help. > > Just a thought, no experience with this at all: Would they entangle in a > mist net of the sort used for birds? > > david mcneely > > ---- "Aaron T. Dossey" <bugoc...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Hello, > > > > I need to get ahold of a regular supply, about 10-15 every couple of > > weeks, of dragonflies in the genus Anax. > > > > These seem to be some of the most challenging to get with the standard > > daytime netting method, as they land much less frequently than other > > species and are almost always over water. > > > > Any suggestions? > > > > Can they be easily found at night resting, etc.? > > > > Thanks! > > > > -- > > Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D. > > Biochemistry and Molecular Biology > > Founder/Owner: All Things Bugs > > http://www.allthingsbugs.com > > https://www.facebook.com/Allthingsbugs > > 1-352-281-3643 > > -- > David McNeely > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > > > ---------- > > If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, > best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. > > After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. > > Sincerely, > > J. Michael Nolan, Director > > Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit > > ************************************************************************************************** > “Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology” > > “Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South > America” > > Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit > 161 Main St. > Coopersville, MI 49404 > Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 > Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 > Fax: 1.616.604.0546 > Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr > AOL IM: buddythemacaw > E-mail: i...@rainforestandreef.org and travelwithra...@gmail.com > Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses > Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2012) > ************************************************************************************************** -- David McNeely
