Introduction to Dragonflies & Damselflies of the Upper Texas Coast July 8, 2010

Dragonflies and Damselflies have a unique beauty and ecology all their own. Some are as colorful as butterflies, some migrate like birds do, and their ancestry is over 250 million years old. Both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the Odonata, which is a subgroup of insects, The order Odonata includes some of the most ancient and beautiful insects that ever roamed Earth. Dragonflies have exceptional visual responses and are remarkably agile in flight. They can fly forward, backwards and are also capable of hovering in the air for about a minute. They can come to a pin point stop, take off in an instant and make astonishing maneuvers.

Join us to learn about these amazing insects that inhabit our ponds, marshes, prairies and backyards. We will learn the characteristics that set them apart from all other insects, study their interesting and unusual life cycles, and learn which ones are commonly found in our area and how to find them for observation and photography. And yes, it is possible to attract some of these beneficial and amazing insects to your yard.

Instructor: Glenn Olsen has had a passionate interest in nature, since early childhood. Since 1993, he has been actively involved with the Native Plant Society of Texas and has served as state president.
Class Dates:
Thursday, July 8, 2010: 7-8:45 p.m.
Field trip: Saturday, July 10: 7:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arboretum.
Cost:
$40 for members. $50 for non-members