Dragonfly native to Mexico spotted for first time in Rio Grande Valley
MISSION - The Rio Grande Valley isn't just for butterflies anymore.
Three types of dragonflies never seen before in the Valley made visits last week to Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, headquarters of the World Birding Center.
On Monday, Mission residents Dave and Jan Dauphin spotted the Planiplax dragonfly during a nature watching excursion. The diminutive, red, black and blue dragonfly is native to Mexico and, until Monday, had never been spotted this far north.
The couple's discovery drew Joshua Rose, the state park's program specialist, his co-workers and dragonfly enthusiasts to look for the insects.
On Friday, Rose and the others spotted two more dragonflies rare to the area: the Metallic Pennant and the Antillean Saddlebags.
The Metallic Pennant had never been recorded in Texas before and the Antillean Saddlebags had never been recorded in the Rio Grande Valley. These dragonflies are usually seen in South Florida and the Caribbean, Rose said.
All the dragonflies were spotted near the park's boat ramps. The recent discoveries mark 98 types of dragonflies spotted in the Valley, Rose said.
‘It's exciting'
Rose, who has a doctorate in dragonfly ecology, said he's not certain why the dragonflies have come this far north and west. One possibility is that they're drawn to the park's resacas, which have recently been filled with more water.
"Something funny is definitely going on here," he said, although he's not sure what it is.
As for the other two types of dragonflies, Rose suspects winds from the south and east have blown the insects to the Valley.
"It's very exciting," he said.
The Dauphins, who have been seeking out dragonflies and damselflies for more than a decade, had never before glimpsed one like the Planiplax. When they saw it again Tuesday, they decided to photograph it and sent the images to dragonfly experts.
The experts confirmed the genus Planiplax and that the insect had never been spotted this far north.
"It's kind of neat..." Dave Dauphin said.
Planiplax
Dave Dauphin said he didn't know the exact size of the dragonfly but estimated it had a wingspan of between 2 and 2 1/2 inches and a body measuring about 2 inches from head to tail.
Rose said he and other enthusiasts are trying to take more detailed pictures or capture a specimen for other experts to help them determine the species of the Planiplax.
Scientists have identified a total of five species of Planiplax.
Rose thinks the species the Dauphins photographed might be the same one that has been spotted in Tamaulipas: Planiplax sanguiniventris. The other four have been recorded farther south.
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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.
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Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park hosts a dragonfly walk from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday for those interested in looking for the insects. For more information call (956) 584-9156.
