On the biology of the damselfly Vestaus amabilis, Liefftinck (Odonata: Calopterygidae) in Borneo

Abstract

The habitat, territorial and reproductive behaviour of the Bornean calopterygid damselfly Vestalis amabilis, are described. Males are territorial and will remain at the same site defending a territory for up to three weeks. Territories take the form of sun flecks whose physical location changes slowly throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. There is a considerable amount of fighting between males, ranging from simple, short chases to more extensive escalated contests. Longer contests are thought to be brought about due to confusion over residency as the physical location of the territory changes. Courtship is brief and simple, copulation duration is around 2 minutes and females oviposit alone while being non-contact guarded by the male. Oviposition takes place in dead leaves, usually over about 30 minutes during which time the pair is harassed by other males. Matings are infrequent and females prospect either the territories or the territory owners before accepting courting males, resulting in more copulations later in the day.

Keywords: Borneo, Odonata, reproductive behavior, territory, Vestalis amabilis

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