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Finding Larvae
 If
you want to try catching larvae, I suggest that you try in a local pond. Not only
do ponds often have a high density of odonates, but they are usually common hardy
species that can survive handling.
When collecting larvae to identify it is best to catch it at it's (last instar)
or last developmental period, just before it is ready to emerge. It is extremely
difficult to ID a larvae prior to this stage, since it's characteristics are not
fully developed. You can usually tell if it's going through it's last instar
if it's wings are darkened and extend far down the length of the abdomen.
Do not dredge in seeps, bogs, small
streams and rivers. These habitats contain some of our rarest and most threatened
species and you can destroy the habitat easily. Professionals occasionally sample
these habitats, but only under carefully designed protocols and for specific studies.
Taking just a few specimens out of the habitat should be sufficient.
Be careful not to pick up any other critters such as crustaceans, mollusks and other
larvae unknown to you. Carefully place these back into the area which you
collected from. Do not place into any other habitat, to do
so could very well cause a death of an ecosystem.
The dip-net is the most common tool for collecting larvae and other
invertebrates, although a few odonatologists use a metal kitchen strainer.
Sweeping the net through the water to scoop up vegetation. Remember that a
pond has three different habitats within itself, 1) the above water vegetation,
2) the underwater vegetation, and 3) the bottom sediment. You want to sample all
three of these habitats to find a variety of different species. It?s sort
of like panning for gold. Once you have the vegetation in your net, empty
it into a tub and search for odonate larvae. Expect to see other creatures
such as beetles, crawfish, small fish and other larvae among the vegetation. Careful,
some of those things, especially diving beetles, can bite! Single the larvae out
and place into a plastic container, dump the remaining stuff back into the water.
Your next step depends on you plan to do with the larvae. You can
identify them and return them to their site or photograph them for later identification.
You may even decide to take some home and try to rear them in captivity, if you
have an interest in doing just that
CLICK HERE. If
you have a bona fide educational or scientific need, you may collect it as a specimen.
If you need to transport your larvae home, you will need to fill a container with
water and a bit of wet moss or other vegetation so that your larvae survive the
trip.
You still have to identify your larva. Click here
for some helpful ideas.
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