The mating system of Libellula saturata Uhler (Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

Males of L. saturata either patrol long stretches of stream in search of mates, or perch near stagnant pools used as oviposition sites. Perched males respond to patrolling males by flying with them in ascending flights along the stream. Only one male eventually returns to the perch site. Perching males rarely defend the same location from day to day. Ovipositing females are often receptive, and after a brief aerial mating, males employ non-contact guarding. Females, however, apparently eventually lose their guarding partners, because they are rarely seen ovipositing with a male in attendance except briefly, shortly after copulation.