Dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) as indicators of habitat quality in Mediterranean streams and rivers in the province of Barcelona (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula)

In a field study carried out in 2011 and 2014 adult dragonflies were identified as a rapid and easy-to-use means of assessing habitat quality and biological integrity of Mediterranean streams and rivers in the province of Barcelona (Region Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). The study included sampling sites from five different river catchments: Besòs, Foix, Llobregat, Ter…

Local extinctions and range contraction of the endangered Coenagrion mercuriale in North Africa

Freshwater biodiversity is currently threatened worldwide. In North Africa, 24.4% of Odonata are regionally threatened with extinction. In this region, freshwater resources are particularly scarce and an increasing shortage of water is expected. To better understand the current threats to the endangered North African damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale we updated information on extinct and extant populations…

Interspecific encounters between male aeschnids do they have a function?

Male aeshnid dragonflies at a small pond (circumference ca 90 m) in Cambridgeshire U.K. generally pursued males of other aeshnid species as well as their own. As a result of these encounters the pursued insect frequently left the pond, particularly when it belonged to a smaller species. Libellulids, which differed greatly from the aeshnids in…