Differences in forest use and colonization by Neotropical tree‐hole damselflies (Odonata: Pseudostigmatidae): Implications for forest conversion

Abstract

Differential habitat use in primary and secondary forests was documented for two genera of giant damselflies (Pseudostigmatidae), important predators of tree‐hole breeding mosquitoes in tropical forests. In a lowland moist forest of Panama, adults moved between old primary (>400 years old) and contiguous secondary forest (>60 years old) and reproduced seasonally in both types. However, the two Mecistogaster species were more common in secondary forest, whereas Megaloprepus caerulatus was most common in primary forest. These differences in landscape use were reflected in differential colonization of tree‐hole analogs (plastic pots) in primary forest and highly altered secondary growth (<20 years old) in a lowland wet forest in Costa Rica where reproduction of both species was aseasonal. Larvae of Mecistogaster linearis were commonly found in pots at both habitat types, whereas Megaloprepus, the majority species, rarely colonized pots in altered sites. Our results suggest that Megaloprepus is particularly susceptible to forest conversion, and call for increased focus on the dispersal ability of all pseudostigmatids. In tropical moist and wet forests that harbor water‐filled tree holes, the presence of the conspicuous Megaloprepus and similar species may serve as bio‐indicators of a healthy predator guild, the loss of which may adversely impact human health.