A method is described for inducing the tandem position by hand-pairing in Calopteryx species. In C. maculata, hand-pairing resulted in tandem formation and normal copulation in 81 out of 91 pairs. Thus the elaborate pair formation and courtship normally seen in this species are not required for copulation to occur. Conspecific pairs were also obtained for C. aequabilis, C. splendens, and C. virgo, but not for several other species of Zygoptera. 30 of 36 heterospecific pairs between C. maculata and C. dimidiata resulted in tandem formation and 17 of these ended in copulation, despite a size difference between the two species. This result suggests a lack of mechanical isolation or species discrimination at the tandem and copulation steps.