Atlas results have already been put to use in the conservation of damselfly and dragonfly species across the state. We continue to make these data available to researchers or anyone else interested in the status, distribution, ecology or conservation of these insects.

Somatochlora elongata (Ski-tipped Emerald)

Somatochlora elongata (Ski-tipped Emerald)

This atlas presents the status and distribution of 147 species of Odonata from Vermont, compiled from a data set of more than 40,000 records.

With the exception of Grand Isle County, whose terrain is relatively flat and unvaried, we have documented at least 77 species in each county.

One of our objectives is to document dragonfly and damselfly distributions that may be shifting as a result of climate change. For example, of the 31 species added to the state list since the year 2000, Vermont lies on the southern edge of five, none of which is common or appears to be expanding. However, Vermont lies at the northern edge of 16 of these new species, and 10 show signs of expansion, many becoming quite common.

State Wildlife Action Plan: Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Williamsonia fletcheri (Ebony Boghaunter)

Ebony Boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri)

Work during this atlas provided vital species distribution and occurrence information for the Vermont Wildlife Action Plans. The plan has expanded our understanding of rare habitat-specialist dragonfly and damselfly species, and provides a comparative baseline for future monitoring. Results include: 1) new records of Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) on two rivers; 2) a better understanding of the four species of Ophiogomphus, particularly on the White River; 3) discovery of at least two previously unknown populations of Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskinensis), a species that had been rarely encountered in Vermont; 4) an expanded knowledge of seven species of Somatochlora distribution in and around peatlands, including Ringed Emerald (S. albicincta), Lake Emerald (S. cingulata), and Delicate Emerald (S. franklini), revealing that Silvio Conte National Wildlife Refuge and West Mountain Wildlife Management Area have some of the highest Somatochlora diversity in New England; and 5) two new peatland sites for Ebony Boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri). Future efforts toward odonate conservation will continue to rely on the information resulting from this atlas.

List of Vermont Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) 2025

*Regional responsibility species identified in White et al. (2014).

Sympetrum danae (Black Meadowhawk)

Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

Bog/Fen/Swamp/Marshy Pond Group (15 species)

  • Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra)
  • Zigzag Darner (Aeshna sitchensis) *
  • Subarctic Darner (Aeshna subarctica) *
  • Comet Darner (Anax longipes)
  • Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros)
  • Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha)
  • Spatterdock Darner (Rhionaeschna mutata)
  • Subarctic Bluet (Coenagrion interrogatum)
  • Petite Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida)
  • Forcipate Emerald (Somatochlora forcipata) *
  • Delicate Emerald (Somatochlora franklini) *
  • Incurvate Emerald (Somatochlora incurvata)*
  • Kennedy’s Emerald (Somatochlora kennedyi) *
  • Ebony Boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri)
  • Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae) *
Enallagma antennatum (Rainbow Bluet)

Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum)

River/Stream Group (15 species)

  • American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana)
  • Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis)
  • River Bluet (Enallagma anna) *
  • Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum) *
  • Big Bluet (Enallagma durum)
  • Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus)
  • Midland Clubtail (Gomphus fraternus)
  • Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor)
  • Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus)
  • Skillet Clubtail (Gomphus ventricosus) *
  • Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis)
  • Riverine Clubtail (Stylurus amnicola) *
  • Tiger Spiketail (Zoraena erronea)*
  • Arrowhead Spiketail (Zoraena obliqua)*
  • Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis)
Ischnura kellicotte (Lillypad Forktail)

Lillypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotte)

Lakes/Ponds Group (10 species)

  • Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens)*
  • New England Bluet (Enallagma laterale) *
  • Scarlet Bluet (Enallagma pictum)
  • Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum)
  • Lilypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotti)
  • Ringed Emerald (Somatochlora albicincta) *
  • Lake Emerald (Somatochlora cingulata)
  • Williamson’s Emerald (Somatochlora williamsoni)
  • Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata) *
  • Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina)

Publications

  • Blust, M. and Pfeiffer, B. (2015). The Odonata of Vermont. Bulletin of American Odonatology 11(3-4), 69-119.
  • Hunt, P. D., Blust, M., & Morrison, F. (2010). Lotic Odonata of the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont. Northeastern Naturalist,17(2), 175-188.
  • Hunt, P.D. (2012) The New Hampshire Dragonfly Survey. New Hampshire Audubon. (PDF)
  • Vermont Wildlife Action Plan Team. 2015. Vermont Wildlife Action Plan 2015. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Montpelier, VT.
  • White, Erin L., Pamela D. Hunt, Matthew D. Schlesinger, Jeffrey D. Corser, and Phillip G. deMaynadier. (2014). A conservation status assessment of Odonata for the
    northeastern United States. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. (PDF)