Mating experience affecting male discrimination between sexes and female morphs in Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur) (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Ischnura senegalensis 9 9 exhibit colour dimorphism, appearing as andromorphs and gynomorphs. Binary choice experiments between sexes and morphs were conducted in the laboratory. Virgin d 3 reared separately from 9 9 showed no preference between sexes or between morphs, suggesting that virgin 3 3 were unable to recognize potential mates and had no innate mating preference for a particular 9 morph. After enclosure with a single 9 in a small cage, 3 3 that had experienced copulation significantly preferred the same 9 morph with which they had copulated, while 3 3 that failed to copulate with the 2 showed no preference. The 6 6 that had experienced copulation significantly preferred $ 2 over 3 3. Therefore, ability of d S to discriminate between sexes and morphs was confirmed by their copulation experience.