Behavioral data on Neotropical coenagrionids is still scanty, with very few studies on their reproductive behavior. Here we present the first description of the reproductive behavior of A. truncatum in a high density population in the Brazilian Neotropical savanna. The observations were made at a pond in an ecological reserve. Males remain at the water…
It has been hypothesized that sperm removal ability in male Odonata (damselflies and dragonflies) has promoted sexual conflict over the sperm stored in the reproductive tract of the female. Although there is evidence supporting this hypothesis, most studies have been conducted in a small number of species from specific families. We explored sperm removal ability…
The aim of the study was to determine oviposition site selection in the endangered damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale in its UK stronghold and to determine hatching success of eggs. This was achieved by watching the behaviour of marked pairs from the onset of copulation to the end of oviposition and recording the number and duration of…
In a heterogeneous environment, males of Somatochlora flavomaculata regularly occupy site-fixed locations away from water, adjacent to vertical landscape elements, and to a lesser extent, also at water, i.e. at oviposition sites. Territories both over land and over water are typically patrolled by continuous site-fixed flights. These places serve as rendezvous sites where copulation is…
The behaviour of Onychogomphus uncatus, including flight and mating activity, was studied at a fast-flowing irrigation canal. During the day, males perched in sections of the canal with a strong current and a turbulent water surface. During short flights, interactions with other con-specific and hetero-specific males occurred, particularly with Orthetrum coerulescens. Under conditions of high…
Here we describe tandem oviposition (contact guarding) in Lestes congener and the use of dry stems of the sedge Eleocharis obtusa as oviposition substrates at a pond in New York State. Pairs formed away from the pond, then flew to Eleocharis patches on dry land 0.5–3 m from the water’s edge. Some copulations occurred at…
The main, externally visible components of odonate reproductive behaviour were known from published accounts for about 300 years before sperm displacement during copulation was first described. The latter discovery, revealed by Jonathan Waage in 1979, revolutionised the interpretation of odonate reproductive behaviour, allowing it for the first time to be interpreted convincingly in the context…
It is often assumed that males do not choose among females because competition for partners is high and male mating costs are low. Nevertheless, this assumption does not always hold. In some species duration of copulation is long, possibly causing a limitation on the lifetime number of matings for males. In this case we expect…
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.
Here we provide a first report on the reproductive behavior of Argia sabino Garrison and Argia pima Garrison from observations at Sabino Creek, Arizona. Both species reproduce in autumn (September-October) following late summer rainstorms. Tandem pairs of A. sabino submerge to oviposit on rock substrates. The oviposition substrate is abundant and widespread. Male A. sabino…