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Pinao — The Native Dragonflies and Damselflies of Hawaii
Posted: December 15, 2007
I love to photograph Hawaii’s native dragonflies and damselflies, known as “pinao” in Hawaiian. I can follow pinao for hours — stalking them as they dart and hover over the landscape — until they land on something interesting and attractive to photograph.
Pinao are fierce insect predators. They are usually found near streams, ponds, and other wetlands where they hunt for mosquitoes, fliles and other small insects. There was once a time when taro patches, rice paddies, and watercress farms — environments favorable to dragonflies and damselflies — were common in Honolulu. But since much of the island has been developed and competing species have been introduced, one must travel much further afoot to see Hawaii’s native dragonflies and damselflies.
Dragonflies are larger and more robust than damselflies. They are also faster in flight and easier to spot. When dragonflies land and rest, their 4 individual wings are clearly visible – the 4 wings extended outwards. This photo of an incredibly red dragonfly was taken in the loi kalo (taro patches) of Limahuli Valley on Kauai.
Damselflies are smaller and daintier than dragonflies. When damselflies land and rest, their 4 wings fold back behind them and are superimposed on each other. As a result, only upon close inspection can their 4 wings be seen. This photo of an endemic red and black damselfly (Megalagrion blackburni) was taken near a bog in the Kohala Forest Reserve along the rim of Waipio Valley on the Island of Hawaii.
The native pinao of Hawaii come in a variety of shapes and colors. This red and black dragonfly (Nesogonia blackburni) has a slender abdomen more characteristic of a damselfy than a dragonfly. This photo was taken along a stream in a narrow slot canyon within Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai.
I enjoyed your pictures. I just spent 3 weeks in Hawai’i but photographed only introduced species of dragonflies and no damselflies. Is December the wrong season? Where I live (Maryland) each species of damselfly has a specific flight season. Do you know a source for such data for your endemic species?
thanks
Dave
I don’t believe there is a season for native dragonflies and damselfies — I see them year round. I think its more a function of where you go to see them. In lower elevations and in populated areas most of the dragonflies are introduced species. An exception to this would be the native Giant Hawaiian Dragonfly (Anax strenuus) which is blue in color. They are common in coastal areas of all the islands.
It is my observation that the more rare native dragonflies and damselflies are usually found either high in the mountains or deep in the valleys. On Oahu, I see them at the summit of Mount Kaala and in the stream gulches of Hauula on the Koolauloa Coast. On Kauai, I see them along the streams of Kokee and in the bogs of Alakai. On the Big Island I see many native damselflies in the Kohala Forest Preserve which is easily accessible from White Road in Waimea.
Thanks. I will look more when we return next year. We did see some female Ischnura ramburi on Kanaha Pond in Maui before we left on Saturday.