Cream-tipped Swampdamsel (Leptobasis
melinogaster)
(go to bottom of page to see photos of Dimmitt
County specimen & habitat - 6th Texas locale for species)
TEXAS: Hidalgo Co; Santa Ana National Wildlife Area, Willow Pond #1 - male - July 2014
TEXAS: Hidalgo Co; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, entrance pond - teneral
male - October 2010
TEXAS: Hidalgo Co; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Willow Lakes - males -
September 2009
TEXAS: Hidalgo Co; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Willow Lakes - very blue
female - September 2009
TEXAS: Hidalgo Co; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Willow Lakes - teneral
males - September 2009
The specimen below was completely unexpected, and represents a significant range
extension - only the 6th known locale for this rare species in the US and Texas
and the northern and western-most locale. The other locales are Santa Ana
National Wildlife Refuge, McAllen Nature Center (both in Hidalgo County), WBC at
Harlingen Arroyo Colorado, Sabal Palm Preserve (Cameron County), and the Santa
Gertrudis Creek on the King Ranch (in Kleberg County).
TEXAS: Dimmit Co; Nueces River roadside picnic area on TX 85, ca 8 mi E of
Carrizo Springs - Male - July 2009
The bug was located as I was winding my way though this thick brushy jungle
along the Nueces (I was looking for "hanging up" darners). It landed
breifly, then flew up into the greenery at center where it fed by gleaning for
small insects off of the underside of the leaves.