[Odonata-l] Tattered wings

[Paul M. Brunelle]

Hello All;
    I have only once seen a dragonfly whose wings had eroded to the extent that
it couldn't fly - a male Ladona julia. I found it from the sound of its wings
buzzing as it attempted to lift off. About 50% of the width of both hindwings
were eroded. I expect those few Odonata which reach this stage of wing
deterioration last a very short time indeed - they would be easy prey for
frogs, shrews, birds, or even ants.
    However, most dragonflies do quite well on three wings - I have seen many
instances of one wing being broken off (and flight apparently unimpaired), and
perhaps more of withered wings which apparently did not inflate 
properly during
emergence. Like Kathy, I have occasionally straighted the wings of emerging
tenerals - it reduces your karmic burden, if there is one.
     Occasionally when netting, particularly Aeshnids, you break a wing 
mid-way.
Surprising it doesn't happen more often. I would usually voucher a 
specimen that
this had happened to - perhaps releasing another which was undamaged. If you
intend to release the insect you have to remove the broken end or it will be
easy prey, so remove the flapping part and the insect will do just fine.
     If the wing is merely bent, you can carefully straighten it and it will
snap back into place, apparently undamaged. Certainly no man-made structure of
comparative complexity could do this. I straighten these wings by gentle
squeezing, not running my fingers down the wing length, as the wings are rough
encough to catch your finger surface and rip.
     Cordially,
     Paul Brunelle