Thermal adaptations of dragonflies, revisited

Recent developments in understanding of the thermal ecology of adult Odonata are reviewed. Although body temperatures have been determined in the field for several species, and the mechanisms for regulation of thoracic temperature are known in broad outline, additional work, especially on temperature of other body regions and on species from extreme environments, is needed. Some preliminary new data on temperature regulation in Anax junius and Arigomphus villosipes are outlined. Knowledge of the adaptive consequences of body temperature and its regulation is still in its infancy. Suggestions are given for future research on temperature adaptations and their interaction with other biological processes and on geographic variation.