Behavioural Phenotypic Plasticity of Submerged Oviposition in Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata).

ABSTRACT: Emerald damselfly Lestes sponsa is a common species within the temperate zone, with no special need for protection. The tactic of submerged oviposition is well known from other Odonata species, but has rarely been noticed or described in Lestes sponsa. Our study investigated the tactics of oviposition in this species, and shows that submerged oviposition indeed occurs frequently in Lestes sponsa. We experimentally tested the difference in the roles of males and females during the submerged ovipositional behaviour by combining males/females from submerging populations with males/females from non-submerging populations. We discovered that, whereas submerging males coupling with non-submerging females did not lead to submersion, the opposite combination of pairs submerged. Other patterns of s

SUBMITTER: Helebrandova JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6571832 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature