White-faced darter (Leucorrhinia dubia)

On 12 June, the first white-faced darter was spotted on the campus. The insect was basking in the afternoon sun, perched on a reed stem in the pond near the Aurora education building. It can be recognised by its white face and yellow markings on its body, but is difficult to distinguish from other white-faced darters.

"This was the first white-faced darter ever recorded on the campus and only the second ever in the municipality of Wageningen," says excursion leader and dragonfly expert Jan-Freerk Kloen. "On the Veluwe, this species occurs sporadically at nutrient-poor pools and peat bogs. The species tends to stay close to its habitat, and the campus is certainly not suitable, as the ponds here are much more nutrient-rich. That makes it all the more special to encounter such a 'wanderer'."

Other notable finds during the dragonfly and damselfly excursion included the emperor dragonfly, the scarlet darter, the common bluetail, and the dainty damselfly.