The thoracic temperature of adults in a forest-paddy field complex in the cool temperate zone of Japan was measured. After emergence, individuals moved into the forest gaps, where all sexually immature adults remained on perches. Both 6 6 and 9 9 controlled their thoracic temperatures against a radiant heat load in a similar manner. After maturation, some of the individuals were seen to fly in tandem over the rice paddy fields under direct sunlight for oviposition. This study evaluated the impact of the thermal environment on the perching behaviour in the forest gaps and flying behaviour in tandem in the rice paddy fields. Mean thoracic temperatures of adults were consistently higher than ambient temperatures. The difference between the high thoracic and low ambient temperature was lower among flying individuals in the rice paddy fields than in perching individuals living in the forest gaps. The control of thoracic temperature in response to ambient and radiant temperature in perching mature adults was similar to that in immature adults. In the rice paddy fields, the flying in tandem resulted in a smaller difference between thoracic over radiation temperature in females than in males in tandem. The high degree of thermoregulation clearly allowed mature adults to be active under direct sunlight. The role of perching in the forest gaps is discussed with regard to thermoregulation.

Odonatologica

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Societas Internationalis Odonatologica

M. Watanabe, H. Matsuoka, K. Susa, & M. Taguchi. (2005). Thoracic temperature in Sympetrum infuscatum (Selys) in relation to habitat and activity (Anisoptera: Libellulidae). Odonatologica, 34(3), 271–283.