Details

Species text should be a minimum of a couple of paragraphs. There is really no upper limit to how much text the app can handle, but in general we should try to keep it brief to help users in the field quickly find the information they need. Text should be broken into the following sections. Ideally each section should be around 50-200 words:

  • Description (include a description of each of the field-identifiable adult forms)
  • Identification (include a description of differentiating this species from similar species)
  • Habitat
  • Natural History
  • (Optional) Seasonality and Distribution
  • (Optional) Taxonomic or Nomenclatural notes

A great place to start is by reviewing Odonata Central’s “Identification pages” such as this one:

http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/FieldGuideAction.get/id/42824

Note that the text on the Odonata Central “Identification pages” were originally targeted to the southwestern US, and so sections such as comparison species and range descriptions are not adequate for an app targeting all of North America.

It would be great to get some text contributions in French and Spanish as well. Or, if you are interested in helping with translating into these languages, please get in touch.

Of course, we would credit you in the app and anytime your text was used. The credits will look something like this (Note that this example is made up!)

Contributed: Dan Tallman Aug 30, 2015
Expanded: John Garrett Aug 31, 2015
Edited: John C. Abbott Sept 5, 2015
Revised and expanded: John C. Abbott Sept 30, 2015

Example Text

Text has been submitted for the following species

It may take a few hours for species with submitted texts to appear below, but rest assured that if you have submitted it, we have received it!

Top needs

  • Ebony Jewelwing
  • Chalky Spreadwing
  • Comet Darner
  • Marsh Firetail
  • Cardinal Meadowhawk
  • Paddle-tailed Darner
  • White-faced Meadowhawk
  • Needham’s Skimmer
  • Autumn Meadowhawk
  • Painted Damsel
  • Phantom Darner
  • Evening Skimmer
  • Roseate Skimmer
  • Shadow Darner
  • Duckweed Firetail
  • Blue Dasher
  • Apache Spiketail
  • Seaside Dragonlet
  • Bar-sided Darner
  • Black-fronted Forktail
  • Striped Meadowhawk
  • Blue-faced Meadowhawk
  • Big Bluet
  • Familiar Bluet
  • Halloween Pennant
  • Ringed Forceptail
  • American Rubyspot
  • Olive Clubtail
  • Carmine Skimmer
  • Fragile Forktail
  • Arroyo Bluet
  • Blue-ringed Dancer
  • Band-winged Dragonlet
  • Twelve-spotted Skimmer
  • Northern Spreadwing
  • Great Spreadwing
  • Rambur’s Forktail