Larval biology, life cycle and habitat requirements of Macromia splendens, revisited (Odonata: Macromiidae) 00

Klaus Guido Leipelt^a, Frank Suhling^a

Institut für Geoökologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages 33-44, 2005

https://doi.org/10.1080/13887890.2005.9748241

Published: 1 April 2005 (Received: 16 November 2004, Accepted: 11 January 2005)

Abstract

Information on larval biology of Macromia splendens was compiled and supplemented by hitherto unpublished data. Larvae inhabit mainly calm river stretches, sometimes artificial impoundments, and lentic margins of lotic sections. From the majority of records it is concluded that the larvae mainly dwell in sandy substrates in shallow water, which sometimes contains little leaf litter. Larvae occur in smaller numbers on substrates dominated by coarse detritus or on bedrock in deeper water. Larvae of M. splendens are able to burrow in sand, but such burrowing takes a long time, and sometimes parts of their body remain uncovered. Therefore, they are considered shallow burrowers. Based on head-width frequency distributions recorded at the Gardon de Mialet, southern France, the species is believed to require two years per generation.

Keywords: Odonata, dragonfly, larval microhabitat, life cycle

Issue section: Article