Guidance for Accepting Odonata Records

Any single hard and fast rule for accepting records of Odonata is counterproductive because a number of considerations can affect the reliability of a record. A voucher specimen is the "gold standard" in Odonatology and is always preferred, but a photograph may be sufficient in some cases and even sight records may be sufficient in others. The rule of thumb is that rare or unusual records require greater verification than more common records (exceptional records require exceptional verification).

A voucher specimen with an accurate date/location label is always the preferred standard:

• Depending on species, an adult may be preferred to an exuviae, which is generally preferred to a larva.
• In cases of extremely exceptional records (i.e. a new state record or new species to science) even more will be required such as documentation of a breeding population or vouchers of all life stages.

Considerations that affect acceptance of photographic or sight records include:

• The demonstrated competence of the observer.
• The certainty with which the species can be identified without microscopic examination.
• The extent to which the record is exceptional.

Thus, a sight record for a new county record of a common species may be acceptable if:

• The species is easy to identify on the wing or in the hand.
• The competence of the observer can be demonstrated.
• The species was expected in that county (i.e. the record is not exceptional).

However, a voucher may be required, if any of the above considerations are questionable.

For a highly exceptional record, we prefer irrefutable documentation of a breeding population with vouchers retained of all life stages with accurate date/location labels.

For a moderately exceptional record, we prefer a voucher specimen with an accurate date/location label but will accept a photograph if it is an easily identified species or possibly a sight record from an observer with solid credentials in identification.

For a record of low exceptionality, we prefer a voucher specimen with an accurate date/location label but will accept an identifiable photograph or a sight record from a reasonably competent observer.

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