Variation in attraction of male Enallagma ebrium (Hagen) to two female morphs (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Variation in attraction of male E. ebrium to models of 2 2 colour morphs was studied at a site in Ontario, Canada, where 85-97% of females were green: the other females were blue, i.e. coloured like males. Mate-searching males were equally attracted to 2 morphs in one experiment, contrary to studies on other Zygoptera. However, more mate-searching males failed to respond positively to the <J-like morph when females were pinned near ’control' males; such failures appear to be errors in recognition of d-like females. Time of day (an index of intensity of mate-searching by males of this sp.) did not account for variation in the number of males that failed to respond positively to females of either morph. Moreover, males that were quite ’interactive’ with other model males were not more likely (than less interactive males) to form tandem sooner with females of either morph. Thus, it was not possible to identify factors that could explain variation in differential male attraction to morphs. The possibility that female colour is a selectively neutral trait cannot be discounted.