NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 0

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Marl Pennant (Macrodiplax balteata) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Double-ringed Pennant Black Saddlebags
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Marl Pennant

Flight Charts

Distribution

Strictly coastal, though there was an "inland" record for Tyrrell County in 2022. Ranges north in its overall range only to southeastern VA (three recent records only). Interestingly, the first record for GA came in 2006, and there are a number of recent county records for coastal SC. It is not clear if the species is a permanent resident or is at least partly migratory in NC.

Abundance

In recent years, generally uncommon to (and very locally) fairly common along the NC coast, essentially only from Pea Island southward. It does rarely occur "inland" to the nearby mainland, as witnessed by records from Tyrrell, mainland Hyde, and Pamlico counties. Dunkle (2000) calls it "common coastally", though that may apply mainly to FL. For whatever reason, until a decade ago there were very few records of the species north of FL, but owing to global warming or some other factors, the species is increasing in numbers or at least increasingly straying northward, in NC, SC, and GA.

Flight

The flight occurs from early June to the end of October; however, most records are from mid-August into October. This pattern of flight dates may suggest that the species is primarily a post-breeding migrant/stray from farther south. A resident pennant species should have a flight season starting at least by early summer, and have peak numbers in summer or before September. However, more data are needed to clarify the situation, and there is certainly the possibility that this species is a scarce resident (though maybe with immigrants moving into the state in fall).

Habitat

Unusual for most dragonfly species in NC; breeds in brackish ponds or other pools with high pH waters, such as possibly man-made marl ponds near the coast or other man-made lakes and ponds in coastal areas. The highest state counts have been at a natural lake (Lake Mattamuskeet) and from tidal marshes. Thus, it has a fairly wide array of sunny coastal habitats, from salt water (tidal marshes) to fresh water (lakes and ponds).

Behavior

Males perch at the pools or marsh edges, often on twigs or stems in the water; they make forays over the water. However, they may occur in fields or other open areas somewhat far away from coastal water. Apparently females also stay close to water when foraging.

Comments

Some important records of Marl Pennant were made in fall 2014 at Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County, with a former state record one-day count of 15 individuals, documented by several photos. A number of other recent records have been made, with photos now available for all coastal counties from Dare to Brunswick. Of the five primarily coastal dragonflies in NC -- along with Needham's Skimmer, Roseate Skimmer, Four-spotted Pennant, and Seaside Dragonlet -- the Marl Pennant is the only scarce species. Hopefully, it is a resident species in NC! Even if not, it can be somewhat reliably seen -- but never expected -- from the latter half of August into October at tidal marshes and other coastal waters.

State Rank

S2S3 [S3]

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 09:14:26

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Marl Pennant 23 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Dare; OBL, 2023-08-06, Cape Hatteras--Salt Pond		Photo 2 by: Sven Gippner Comment: Dare; OBM, 2023-07-26, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bodie Island Marsh Blind, 35.86381, -75.579037, iNaturalist record #176408894 - Ovipositing pair in tandem
	Photo 3 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Carteret, 2022-10-08, Harkers Island--Core Sound Waterfowl Museum area		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Dare; OBL, 2022-08-21, Cape Hatteras NS--Salt Pond - one male patrolling not far from a female
	Photo 5 by: Cade Schmidt Comment: New Hanover, 2022-06-00, iNaturalist Record #120853208		Photo 6 by: Larry Chen Comment: Tyrrell, 2021-08-00, iNaturalist Record #91895463
	Photo 7 by: Steve Taylor Comment: Pamlico, 2020-09-19, Near Hobucken. iNaturalist record #60110384. - Male.		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Dare; OBL, 2019-06-14, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, old lighthouse site - 2 females, 1 immature male. Presence of immature male suggests that breeding may occur at this site.
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Dare; OBM, 2018-09-08, North Pond, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - 5 females, 2 males		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-08-28, northern tip of Topsail Island, adjacent to New River Inlet - 8 males, 8 females
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-08-20, Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve, Holly Ridge - Female perched in saltmarsh. First record for county.		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Dare; OBL, 2018-06-29, pond at old Hatteras Lighthouse site, Cape Hatteras National Seashore - males
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2017-09-13, Southern end of Topsail Island, sound side - female perched in saltmarsh. First record for county.		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-09-13, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, Basin Trail - males
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-09-11, Cape Point, Buxton; freshwater pond at 35.235931, -75.529496 - 7 adult males		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-09-09, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse area - 2 adult males
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hyde, 2015-07-08, Mattamuskeet NWR - perched along shoreline and in grass beside Central Canal Road		Photo 18 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-06-10, Cape Point Campground
	Photo 19 by: B. Fleming, P. Branch Comment: Carteret, 2014-10-04, Fort Macon State Park - Numerous examples seen on the tidal flats that flooded due to extremely high tides.		Photo 20 by: E. Corey Comment: Hyde, 2010-09-15, Lake Mattamuskeet NWR - female
	Photo 21 by: Joe Lafferty Comment: Brunswick, 2009-07-26		Photo 22 by: Jeff Pippen - Jeff's website Comment: Brunswick, 2007-08-25, Ocean Isle sewage treatment plant.
	Photo 23 by: Jeffrey Pippen - Jeff's website Comment: Brunswick, 2007-08-25, Ocean Isle sewage treatment plant.