Courtship displays and mating behaviour of three species of Chlorocyphidae (Zygoptera)

The mating behaviour of Platycypha fitzsimonsi, Chlorocypha consueta and Rhinocypha unimaculata is described and compared with that of P. caligata (described elsewhere). Generally, as in P. caligata, males of the first two (and possibly the third) species are territorial around oviposition sites, attract females to these and court them there. Unlike P. caligata, P. fitzsimonsi males use only the blue tip of the abdomen in female attraction and vibrate the expanded and cream-coloured tibiae differently in courtship. Differential recognition of these two different displays by females of the two species apparently allows their sympatric coexistence. Unlike the Platycypha species. C. consueta males only use their unexpanded white tibiae in the courtship display, i.e. not also in territorial interactions. which also involves display of the pink-red abdomen dorsum. R. unimaculata again uses its unexpanded white tibiae and femora in courtship but also displays iridescent green bands on its hind wing in a fashion similar to some Calopteryx courtship displays. Expectations of complex and varied courtship displays in most chlorocyphids appear justified.