The influence of oviposition resources on the dispersion and behaviour of calopterygid damselflies

Abstract

We manipulated the size of oviposition patches to test two hypotheses: (i) in Calopteryx species males position themselves at patches where they have the greatest probability of finding females, and (ii) females are more strongly attracted to patches with the most oviposition resources. More females were attracted to large patches in all three species studied. In Calopteryx amata and Calopteryx maculata single males maintained territories at small patches and several males concurrently occupied and patrolled large patches. Calopteryx maculata males divided the large patches into small, individual territories, whereas C. amata males at large patches were unable to maintain exclusive areas. There were single territorial Calopteryx aequabilis males at both large and small patches. Time budgets of individual males were affected by the size of the oviposition patch most strongly in C. amata, where at large patches males engaged in aggression, patrolling, and courtship more frequently and for longer than at small patches. Calopteryx maculata males courted more frequently at large patches, but patrolling and male–male aggression were unaffected. Time budgets of C. aequabilis were virtually unaffected by the size of the oviposition patch. The frequency of mating by individual males did not differ between patch sizes for any of the three species. Dispersion and behaviour of damselflies of Calopteryx species are modified by the size and availability of oviposition resources.