The life history of Lestes sponsa (Hansemann): larval growth (Zygoptera: Lestidae)

The larval growth was monitored in 3 separate populations. L. sponsa typically has 10 instars; larval life lasted from between 68 and 83 days. The sex ratio is close to equality initially, becomes male biased, but is female biased at emergence. Females enter the final instar before males. The population with the fastest growth also showed the greatest degree of synchrony and produced significantly larger larvae than the other populations. It is suggested that food availability accounts for these differences.