Observations on the behaviour of Aeshna affinis (Vander Linden) at a dried-up pond (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)

Observations on an A. affinis population breeding at a temporary pond of Central Italy are reported. Males showed territorial behaviour for less than 3 h over the same area, from which they would chase other males. Females began to oviposit as soon as they came to the pond in the morning, without immediately preceding copulation. Holes dug in the dried-up ground of the pond by wild boars were chiefly utilized as oviposition sites. Tandem formation and intra-male sperm translocation (the latter always closely following the former) took place at the pond and were followed by copulation. Then the pair began to oviposit while still in tandem. After some time the male released the female, who went on ovipositing alone. In the evening, after having been away from the pond, males and females returned and performed the hunting (light, during which they did not show any aggressive or sexual behaviour.