Damselfly gets nod as the state’s insect

CARSON CITY -- Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, wanted the mosquito.

Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, suggested the barfly or "the lobbyist."

After scant deliberation Wednesday, the Senate Government Affairs Committee accepted the recommendation of three Clark County fourth-graders and voted for a bill to make the vivid dancer damselfly the official state insect.

"I feel very excited we are halfway there," said Meagan Anders, a fourth-grader at Beatty Elementary School in Las Vegas, following the 7-0 vote.

She and Beatty fourth-graders Lexie Arancibia and Ryan Underwood asked the committee to support Senate Bill 166 that names the damselfly as Nevada's insect.

Lee, the committee chairman, warned the children that they still need to lobby other legislators to ensure the bill becomes law by passing both houses of the Legislature and securing the governor's signature.

"Legislators like receiving e-mail," Lee quipped. "Just follow up and work the bill."

Lee had fun with the hearing that lasted less than a half hour. At one point, he held up large photos of what he called "older" versions of the vivid dancer damselfly.

The heads of these damselflies contained photos of Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson, and Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, R-Henderson. They sponsored the bill.

A group of educators and scientists earlier this month picked the damselfly as its choice for state insect from more than 70 nominations and essays sent in by 57 fourth-grade classes across the state.

Beatty fourth-grade teacher David Slater said he was surprised to find that seven students in his class went home and immediately began research on Nevada insects after he told them of the contest.

Stewart and Woodhouse had learned last year that Nevada was one of nine states without an official insect.

They sponsored SB166, which set up a contest among fourth graders to fill that gap.

Woodhouse said their idea was to engage students to do research and utilize their writing skills.

"It not only has a beautiful name, it is a beautiful insect," Stewart added.

Lexie explained the damselfly --which resembles a dragonfly -- was selected by her class because of its color. Male vivid dancer damselflies are bright blue, while females are tan.

Ryan added that damselflies are found in all parts of Nevada.

No other state has the damselfly as its official insect, so the selection "reinforces Nevada's status as unique," Meagan said.

While praising the children's selection, Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, wanted to know "if they bite."

Lexie was tongue-tied by his question. She said later she did not know for sure so did not answer.

McGinness said he has been bitten by mosquitoes throughout Nevada and jokingly suggested that insect should be the state's official one.

"This is a great choice," McGinness told the students moments later.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.