Again on the oviposition of Sympetrum into sea water (Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

C. UTZER1 (1986, Notul. odonatol. 2: 113-114) reported on some Sympetrum dragonflies performing oviposition behaviour at the sea surface. The species were not identified. Since oviposition into salty water is apparently uncommon, we believe it worth being put on record again for S. striolatum and S. fonscolombei. On October 12, 1989, in the islet of Asinara, north-west to Sardinia, a pond of sea water, which had been formed by a sea storm, persisted at about 30 m behind the shore of Cala di Arena in a depression of about 8x 1,5-2 m surrounded by rushes and tamarisks. The water in this pond tasted as salty as sea water. By this pond some specimens of Sympetrum and Aeshna mixta were present. At about 3 p.m. a female of 5. striolalum and one of S. fonscolombei and a tandem pair of the latter species began to oviposit in the pond. Oviposition was continued for several minutes.