Reproductive behavior of the damselfly Calopteryx dimidiata Burmeister (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae)

The reproductive behavior of C. dimidiata is described for populations at the northern edge of its range where it is sympatric with C. maculata. Like other Calopteryx spp. C. dimidiata males are territorial, give a pair-forming and postcopulatory display (= cross display) to females at an oviposition site in their territory, and give courtship displays to perched females. Males and females copulate frequently and for short times relative to other damselflies, and sperm removal occurs during the early stages of copulation. Females oviposit into aquatic vegetation, usually in a male’s territory. The primary behavioral differences between C. maculala and C. dimidiala are that in C. dimidiala: (I) the cross display is performed while the male floats on the water surface rather than while perched on an oviposition site, (2) females oviposit while totally submerged rather than at the water surface, and (3) there is no clear daily peak in copulation or oviposition frequency. The reproductive behavior of C. dimidiala is also compared with published results for other North American, European and Japanese Calopteryx spp.