Immune melanization ability and male territorial status in Erythemis vesiculosa (Fabricius) (Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

Using a nylon filament implant inserted in the thorax, it was tested whether there were immune ability and size differences between territorial and nonterritorial 3 6 that gather in lentic aquatic sites. It was found that territorial 3 3 mounted a larger melanin-based immune response than nonterritorial 3 3. This is coherent with current results in other odon. and is interpreted as territorial 3 3 being in better condition than nonterritorial 3 3. However, there was no size difference between the territorial and nonterritorial inidividuals. This suggests that size may be a poor predictor of immune ability.