Populations of Ischnura hastata found in the Azores archipelago represent the only known example of parthenogenesis in the order Odonata. In this paper, we present results from fieldwork done on the islands of São Miguel, Pico, Santa Maria, and Graciosa, aimed at characterizing population ecology and habitat preferences of this species. Sampling of several ponds…
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 reproductive behaviour of Libellago semiopaca was studied on a swift-flowing shallow forest stream in Brunei. Females oviposited just below the water-line, commonly in groups, only on large, firm-textured, semi-submerged logs, usually guarded by males. Both sexes were very sedentary. Suitable sites, with good illumination and deep deposits of fine gravel and leaf mulch in…
Due to the destruction of its primary habitats, the West Palaearctic libellulid Orthetrum coerulescens has suffered much decline in central Europe. However, at the regional scale it has survived in a variety of secondary habitat, such as draining ditches. In order to find adequate measures for its conservation and promotion, habitat use and habitat recognition…
The maintenance of female colour polymorphism in coenagrionids is still an open issue. Here we ask if the three different female morphs of Coenagrion puella represent different reproductive traits in terms of clutch and egg size. Therefore clutch size and egg morphometry of the three female colour morphs were examined. We found that female colour…
The reproductive behaviour of Neurobasis kaupi was studied for the first time in Central and South Sulawesi. The species was recorded in a wide variety of clear and fast flowing creeks, streams and rivers, mostly in forested areas. The males were territorial and defended potential oviposition sites, a limited resource. Territory owners demonstrated their presence…
Oviposition in water-filled tree holes and mating behaviour of Hadrothemis scabrifrons was observed in a lowland coastal forest in Kenya. Conforming with the predominant mode of oviposition in the Libellulidae, females of H. scabrifrons touch the water with their ovipositor while hovering above tree holes. Male behaviour is opportunistic: usually males perch and patrol in…
Pseudagrion lalakense, a new species of coenagrionid from Borneo, is described and figured. The species is phylogenetically close to the very widespread and eurytopic P. microcephalum and the two fly together. P. lalakense may be distinguished from microcephalum and several other similar blue species by the pattern on the thorax and abdomen in both sexes…
Predation of aggregated, ovipositing tandems of Sympetrum sanguineum and S. vulgatum by the hornet Vespa crabro was observed in Belarus. The same species of hornet was seen killing territorial males and copulating females of Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis in Italy. Numerous remains of these odonates at the oviposition sites suggest that attacks occur frequently. A short review…
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.