Touching water by males of Calopteryx virgo L. (Insecta: Odonata) in threatening display

Touching water by males of Calopteryx virgo L. (Insecta: Odonata) in threatening display 00

Georg Rüppella ✉️ , Dagmar Hilfert-Rüppella

  1. Institut für Fachdidaktik der Naturwissenschaften, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 22, Issue 1, Pages 31-36, 2019

https://doi.org/10.1080/13887890.2018.1563917

Published: 2 January 2019 (Received: 11 September 2018, Accepted: 11 December 2018)

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Abstract

For the first time water dipping behaviour of Calopteryx during threatening flight is reported. Four males of Calopteryx virgo in a small rivulet coming from a spring pool in SW France involved in threatening flights near an opponent dipped a wing into the water, producing conspicuous water rings. One male did this twice and additionally hit the water with its legs, splashing water drops forward. Possible interpretations are discussed.

Keywords: dragonfly flight, extra-body signalling, threatening behaviour, beat frequency, territoriality

Issue section: Article