Behavior of Chromagrion conditum (Hagen) adults (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

The behavior – of unpaired males and pairs of Chromagrion conditum (Hagen) was studied at Highlands, N.C. between June 18 and July 10, 1975. Population size (maximum 14d/73m of shoreline) and recoveries (35%d, 9%9) of marked individuals were both low. Maximum activity was between 1100 and 1300 hours. Unlike nearly all coenagrionids, unaccompanied males held their wings outspread at an average angle between the front wings of 77 degrees. Male interactions, primarily with Enallagma hageni (Walsh), were only 46% successful; the male conditum often vacated a perch without defensive activity or turned aside in flight when hageni was encountered. Most males cruised for long periods, not always as a result of male interactions and apparently not in search of females. Because of much cruising and little success in interactions, most conditum males failed to secure a territory or even a perch favorable for mating. Courtship or display did not occur. Intra male sperm translocation in tandem (X = 65 sec) and then copulation (X = 36 min) followed seizure of the perched female. After copulation, pairs averaged 67 min in tandem but spent approximately half of this time in exploratory activity. Oviposition was in the typical Coenagrion position, the sexes constantly in tandem, the male upright. Neither sex ever completely submerged. Eighty percent of the average 36 min effective oviposition was in Gratiola, Ludwigia, and horizontal Juncus. Since eggs were deposited at a rate of 5.5/min, a complement of 200 for each sequence would be expected. Eggs hatched after 21 days at ambient temperature of 21°C.