Oviposition duration and egg deposition rates in Calopteryx maculata (P. de Beauvois) (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae)

Using fresh plant material at simulated oviposition sites, egg deposition rates for C. maculata females were found to average 7-10 eggs/min for four common plant species. Significant differences in mean duration of oviposition were found among females ovipositing: 1) alone (2.4 min), 2) while guarded by a mate (13.4 min), and 3) while guarded by a non-mate (9.8 min). Maximum duration of oviposition per day was 75 min (525-750 eggs) and over a 17 day period was 181 min (1,267-1,810 eggs). Females mated on about one half of the days present in the study area and up to five times (x = 2.04) on a single day. The adaptive significance of post-copulatory guarding is discussed.