Ologies with Alie Ward: Odonatology (Dragonflies) with Dr. Jessica Ware

Release Date: November 6, 2024

Introduction to Odonatology

In this episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves into the fascinating world of dragonflies with her guest, Dr. Jessica Ware, a renowned odonatologist. Dr. Ware is a curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and serves as the Chair of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology. With an impressive background that includes a PhD from Rutgers in Etymology and leadership roles in both the Worldwide Dragonfly Association and the Entomological Society of America, Dr. Ware brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the subject.

Dr. Jessica Ware’s Journey into Odonatology

Dr. Ware shares her personal journey into the study of dragonflies, highlighting her early fascination with these insects during childhood visits to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Initially studying marine biology, her path took a significant turn thanks to her late advisor, Mike May, who encouraged her to explore the vast unanswered questions in odonatology. This mentorship not only steered her career towards dragonfly research but also fostered a collaborative and inclusive community within the field.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [04:01]: "The museum is kind of like Xanadu. It's like the best. I mean there's nothing I can't imagine a better job. It's really, really fun."

Understanding Dragonflies and Damselflies

A central theme of the conversation revolves around the distinctions and similarities between dragonflies and damselflies, both belonging to the order Odonata. Dr. Ware explains that while there are approximately 3,000 species each of dragonflies and damselflies, they exhibit notable differences:

• Anatomical Differences: Dragonflies possess internal gills and stockier bodies, while damselflies have external gills and more slender forms.
• Oviposition Practices: Dragonflies typically lay eggs on the water's surface without an ovipositor, whereas damselflies use their ovipositors to deposit eggs in plant material.

Notable Quote:
Alie Ward [10:35]: "Both damsel and dragonflies have an equal number of species, like a whopping 3,000 each."

Life Cycle and Development

Dr. Ware provides an in-depth look at the dragonfly life cycle, emphasizing the dramatic transformation from aquatic nymphs to aerial adults:

• Egg Stage: Eggs are laid either in plant material (damselflies) or on water surfaces (dragonflies).
• Nymph Stage: Dragonfly nymphs, or naiads, are formidable predators in freshwater environments, feeding on mosquito larvae, small fish, and tadpoles. Their development can range from six weeks to several years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
• Adult Stage: The adult dragonfly life is typically short-lived, lasting a few months. Adult dragonflies focus on feeding to build energy reserves necessary for flight, mating, and egg-laying.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [12:10]: "They eat a lot as adults. They do, depending on the taxon. Some of them have a lot of spines on their tibia and they actually are kind of like bringing food in towards their mouth as they're flying."

Mating Behaviors and Sexual Dimorphism

The episode delves into the complex mating rituals of dragonflies, highlighting behaviors such as:

• Copulatory Wheel Formation: Males grasp females by the thorax, forming a heart-shaped wheel structure to facilitate sperm transfer.
• Sperm Displacement: Males often use specialized appendages to displace previous males' sperm, ensuring their own genes are passed on.
• Guarding Techniques: Post-mating, males may engage in non-contact or contact guarding to protect their mating rights.

Dr. Ware also addresses sexual dimorphism, explaining how males and females can be distinguished by examining the base of the abdomen for reproductive structures and differences in coloration.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [27:00]: "If you see something that looks like a little bump or a little notch kind of sticking out at the base of the first, second, third kind of segment of the abdomen, then that's the secondary penis."

Coloration and Its Purposes

The vibrant colors of dragonflies serve multiple functions:

• Structural Coloration: Created by microscopic surface structures that reflect light, resulting in iridescent hues.
• Pigment-Based Coloration: Derived from pigments like melanin, contributing to the diverse color patterns seen across species.

These colorations play roles in sexual signaling, species recognition, thermoregulation, and predator avoidance. Dr. Ware discusses how some species exhibit color morphs that change over time or in response to environmental factors.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [36:33]: "So there's a combination of factors in terms of whether or not it can make you more visible or less visible to predators."

Flight Mechanics and Technological Inspiration

Dragonflies are celebrated for their exceptional flight capabilities:

• Wing Structure: With two sets of wings and specialized venation patterns, dragonflies achieve remarkable agility and speed.
• Flight Patterns: Capable of hovering, flying backward, and rapid maneuvers, making them efficient predators and elusive prey.

These attributes have inspired advancements in drone technology, emphasizing efficiency and maneuverability. NASA's Dragonfly mission, a quadcopter designed to explore Saturn's moon Titan, exemplifies this inspiration.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [52:08]: "Humans have for a long time taken inspiration by dragonfly flight. Dragonflies do a lot of the things that we want to do when we try and design aircrafts that are, you know, stealthy or energetically inexpensive."

Cultural Significance and Symbolism

Dragonflies hold varied symbolic meanings across different cultures:

• Good Luck: Seen as positive omens in many traditions.
• Messengers: In some Native American cultures, dragonflies symbolize communication and transformation.
• Balance and Harmony: Among the Dene people, dragonflies represent balance in life.

Dr. Ware explores these diverse interpretations, noting how dragonflies' enduring presence in human lore underscores their impact on cultural storytelling.

Notable Quote:
Alie Ward [67:54]: "In some cultures, they're considered to be very good luck. In other cultures, there's a story in East Asia where if they get caught in your hair, that it's a sign that mental illness is coming."

Conservation Concerns

The conversation shifts to the pressing issue of dragonfly conservation:

• Insect Decline: Dragonflies, like many insects, are experiencing population declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
• Freshwater Dependency: As dragonflies rely on clean freshwater ecosystems, any degradation of these habitats directly impacts their survival.
• Conservation Efforts: Dr. Ware emphasizes the importance of protecting freshwater sources and supporting initiatives that preserve these vital ecosystems.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [71:31]: "What we don't know is whether or not the pattern is the same in the Arctic or in the temperate regions or in the tropic regions for dragonflies and damselflies."

Audience Q&A Highlights

Throughout the episode, Dr. Ware addresses numerous listener questions:

• Identifying Gender: Techniques for distinguishing male and female dragonflies through abdominal structures and coloration.
• Taste and Edibility: While not a primary focus, the episode touches on the edibility of dragonflies, noting their high protein content and cultural consumption in certain regions.
• Flight Speed and Mechanics: Detailed explanations of how dragonflies achieve their impressive flight speeds and agility.
• Brain Function and Vision: Insight into dragonfly neurological structures and their advanced visual systems, which include multiple opsins for color detection.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [34:10]: "They have two sets of reproductive structures. So they have a penis at the tip of their abdomen from which sperm is ejaculated, and they put it into a second penis which is at the base of their abdomen."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with Dr. Ware expressing her enthusiasm for odonatology, highlighting the joy of fieldwork, collaborative research, and the continuous opportunities for discovery within the field. Alie Ward wraps up by encouraging listeners to engage with the dragonfly community and appreciate these remarkable insects in their natural habitats.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Ware [76:57]: "I feel so lucky that I get to do it. It's kind of a blessed life."

Further Exploration

For those interested in diving deeper into the world of dragonflies, Dr. Jessica Ware recommends field guides, engaging with local dragonfly groups, and utilizing platforms like iNaturalist for species identification. She underscores the importance of community and education in fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of these vital insects.

Connect with Dr. Jessica Ware

To learn more about Dr. Ware’s work and contributions to odonatology, listeners are encouraged to follow her on social media platforms and visit her profiles linked in the show notes.

This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, focusing on the educational content and enriching discussions between Alie Ward and Dr. Jessica Ware. Notable quotes have been included to highlight key insights, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have yet to listen.