Importation of Dragonfly Nymphs (Odonata: Anisoptera) to Control Mosquito Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Southern Maine

Charles B. Lubelczyk^1,*, Susan P. Elias¹, Phillip G. deMaynadier², Paul M. Brunelle³, Leticia B. Smith⁴, and Robert P. Smith Jr.¹

¹Maine Medical Center Research Institute, 81 Research Drive Scarborough, ME 04074. ²Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Wildlife Research and Assessment Section, Bangor, ME 04401. ³New Brunswick Museum, 277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2K 1E5, Canada. ⁴Cornell University, Department of Entomology. Ithaca, NY 14853. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 27, Issue 2 (2020): 330–343

Abstract
A long-standing program in Maine promotes stocking of dragonfly (Odonata) nymphs for biological control of nuisance and vector mosquitoes. Currently the only sources of dragonflies for stocking are out-of-state biological supply companies. In 2 dragonfly shipments from suppliers in Massachusetts and North Carolina, we determined that 6.8% and 38.5% of species, respectively, were not native to Maine. In an experiment of stocking efficacy, we introduced 4, 2, or 0 dragonfly nymphs into artificial pools in a forest habitat and found no differences in mosquito larvae counts among treatments. While the motivation for using dragonflies as biological control agents is commendable, the practice may be ineffective, and risks accidental introductions of non-native aquatic plants and animals in water used for shipping.

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