Emergence, longevity and breeding area fidelity in Coenagrion puella (L.) (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Two thousand 714 newly emerged adult C. puella were collected over a 41 day emergence period. These animals were uniquely marked with a number on the left hindwing and a spot of paint on the thorax. Females emerged on average 1.4 days earlier than males, but had a longer immature period {16.5 days compared with 13.2 days). Males were twice as likely as females to return to the emergence site to breed. The sex ratio at emergence was not significantly different from unity. (50.96% males). The mean mature adult lifespan was 5.6 days in males and 5.4 days in females. Most individuals of both sexes breed at only one breeding site.