Coenagrion Hastulatum Research Articles

Three new species for the odonatofauna of Piedmont (NW Italy)

Between 2020 and 2023, three new species of Odonates were recorded in Piedmont (NW Italy). Lestes barbarus was observed at an artificial wetland in the Turin Plain in 2021. Even though at least one individual was fresh, we cannot conclude that the species developed at the site. Subsequent visits did not permit to confirm the species. Coenagrion hastulatum was discovered at a peat bog in the NW Alps (Lac Falin, Valle di Viù) in 2023 and here reproduction was confirmed. This population is the fifth to be recorded for the central and western Italian Alps. Trithemis annulata was first recorded in Piedmont in July 2020, and subsequently, the observations of the species in the region rapidly increased, with a total of 66 records relative to 29 sites up to the end of 2023. These are distributed in most of the low-altitude areas of the region. The species was reported mostly in late summer, with only one site where the early spring records suggest successful overwintering. However, this needs further confirmation. The odonate list of Piedmont now accounts for 70 species, representing 73.6% of the taxa reported for Italy, and this makes Piedmont, along with Lombardy, the most odonate-rich region of Italy.

Spearhead blues: How threats to the damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum changed over time

Spearhead blues: How threats to the damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum changed over time

Effects of conventionally treated and ozonated wastewater on the damselfly larva oxylipidome in response to on-site exposure

Pharmaceutical residues discharged through insufficiently treated or untreated wastewater enter aquatic environments, where they may adversely impact organisms such as aquatic invertebrates. Ozonation, an advanced wastewater treatment technique, has been successfully implemented to enhance the removal of a broad range of pharmaceuticals, however diverse byproducts and transformation products that are formed during the ozonation process make it difficult to predict how ozonated wastewater may affect aquatic biota. The aim of this study was to investigate effects on fatty acid metabolites, oxylipins, in a common invertebrate species, damselfly larvae, after on-site exposure to conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent and additionally ozonated effluent at a full-scale WWTP. Subsequent ozonation of the conventionally treated wastewater was assessed in terms of i) removal of pharmaceuticals and ii) potential sub-lethal effects on the oxylipidome. Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) larvae were exposed for six days in the treatment plant facility to either conventional WWTP effluent or ozonated effluent and the effects on pharmaceutical levels and oxylipin levels were compared with those from tap water control exposure. Ozonation removed pharmaceuticals at an average removal efficiency of 67% (ozone dose of 0.49 g O3/g DOC). Of 38 pharmaceuticals detected in the effluent, 16 were removed to levels below the limit of quantification by ozonation. Levels of two oxylipins, 12(13)-EpODE and 15(16)-EpODE, were reduced in larvae exposed to the conventionally treated wastewater in comparison to the tap water control. 15(16)-EpODE was reduced in the larvae exposed to ozonated effluent in comparison to the tap water control. One oxylipin, 8-HETE, was significantly lower in larvae exposed to conventional WWTP effluent compared to ozonated effluent. In conclusion, the study provides proof-of-principle that damselfly larvae can be used on-site to test the impact of differentially treated wastewater.

Wastewater effluent affects behaviour and metabolomic endpoints in damselfly larvae

Wastewater treatment plant effluents have been identified as a major contributor to increasing anthropogenic pollution in aquatic environments worldwide. Yet, little is known about the potentially adverse effects of wastewater treatment plant effluent on aquatic invertebrates. In this study, we assessed effects of wastewater effluent on the behaviour and metabolic profiles of damselfly larvae (Coenagrion hastulatum), a common aquatic invertebrate species. Four key behavioural traits: activity, boldness, escape response, and foraging (traits all linked tightly to individual fitness) were studied in larvae before and after one week of exposure to a range of effluent dilutions (0, 50, 75, 100%). Effluent exposure reduced activity and foraging, but generated faster escape response. Metabolomic analyses via targeted and non-targeted mass spectrometry methods revealed that exposure caused significant changes to 14 individual compounds (4 amino acids, 3 carnitines, 3 lysolipids, 1 peptide, 2 sugar acids, 1 sugar). Taken together, these compound changes indicate an increase in protein metabolism and oxidative stress. Our findings illustrate that wastewater effluent can affect both behavioural and physiological traits of aquatic invertebrates, and as such might pose an even greater threat to aquatic ecosystems than previously assumed. More long-term studies are now needed evaluate if these changes are linked to adverse effects on fitness. The combination of behavioural and metabolomic assessments provide a promising tool for detecting effects of wastewater effluent, on multiple biological levels of organisation, in aquatic ecosystems.

Metabolomics reveals changes in metabolite profiles due to growth and metamorphosis during the ontogeny of the northern damselfly

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Oxylipins at intermediate larval stages of damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum as biochemical biomarkers for anthropogenic pollution

Aquatic pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities requires adequate environmental monitoring strategies in sentinel organisms. Thus, biochemical biomarkers have been used as early-warning tools of biological effects in aquatic organisms. However, before using these markers for environmental monitoring, knowledge about their developmental variation is vital. In this study, we assessed baseline levels and developmental variations of a group of potential biomarkers, oxylipins, during the lifespan of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Effects of wastewater exposure on baseline levels were studied in a subset of damselflies to investigate the responsiveness due to anthropogenic pollution. Thirty-eight oxylipins deriving from four polyunsaturated fatty acids via two enzymatic pathways were detected in damselflies at three larval stages and in the adult form. Overall, oxylipin baseline levels showed developmental variation, which was lowest in the intermediate larval stages. Effects of exposure to wastewater effluent on oxylipin baseline levels were dependent on the life stage and were greatest in the early and intermediate larval stages. The study provides first insights into oxylipin profiles of damselflies at different stages of development and their developmental variation. Based on our results, we propose further strategies for incorporating oxylipins in damselfly larvae as biochemical markers for anthropogenic pollution.Graphical abstract

Novel metabolomic method to assess the effect-based removal efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment techniques.

Unprecedented levels of chemicals of anthropogenic origin are currently released into surface waters globally. Wastewater treatment plant effluent has been identified as a major source, containing a broad mixture of pharmaceuticals and consumer chemicals. Therefore, there is a need for implementation of advanced wastewater treatment techniques, such as ozonation and adsorption methods, to reduce the contamination. However, there are conflicting findings on the toxicity of treated effluent and only limited possibilities for assessing the effect-based removal efficiency (EBRE) of different treatment techniques. Here, we describe a metabolomics approach to detect perturbations in fatty acid catabolic pathways as a proxy for biological effects. Metabolites in three fatty acid pathways were analyzed in a common damselfly larva (Coenagrion hastulatum) by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The larvae were exposed for one week to either conventionally treated effluent (activated sludge treatment), effluent additionally treated with ozone or effluent additionally treated with biochar filtration and results were compared with those from tap water control exposure. Five lipoxygenase-derived oxylipins (9,10,13-TriHOME, 9,12,13-TriHOME, 9-HODE, 9-HOTrE, and 13-HOTrE) decreased in response to conventionally treated effluent exposure. By using an additional treatment step, oxylipin levels were restored with exception of 9,10,13-TriHOME (ozonated effluent), and 9-HOTrE and 13-HOTrE (effluent filtered with biochar). In conclusion, exposure to wastewater effluent affected fatty acid metabolite levels in damselfly larvae, and a subset of the analyzed metabolites may serve as indicators for biological effects in biota in response to effluent exposure. To that effect, our findings suggest a new metabolomics protocol for assessing EBRE.

High-speed imaging reveals how antihistamine exposure affects escape behaviours in aquatic insect prey

Aquatic systems receive a wide range of pharmaceuticals that may have adverse impacts on aquatic wildlife. Among these pharmaceuticals, antihistamines are commonly found, and these substances have the potential to influence the physiology of aquatic invertebrates. Previous studies have focused on how antihistamines may affect behaviours of aquatic invertebrates, but these studies probably do not capture the full consequences of antihistamine exposure, as traditional recording techniques do not capture important animal movements occurring at the scale of milliseconds, such as prey escape responses. In this study, we investigated if antihistamine exposure can impact escape responses in aquatic insect, by exposing damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) larvae to two environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1 and 1 μg L−1) of diphenhydramine. Importantly, we used a high-speed imaging approach that with high-time resolution captures details of escape responses and, thus, potential impacts of diphenhydramine on these behaviours. Our results show overall weak effects of antihistamine exposure on the escape behaviours of damselfly larvae. However, at stage 2 of the C-escape response, we found a significant increase in turning angle, which corresponds to a reduced swimming velocity, indicating a reduced success at evading a predator attack. Thus, we show that low concentrations of an antihistamine may affect behaviours strongly related to fitness of aquatic insect prey – effects that would have been overlooked using traditional recording techniques. Hence, to understand the full consequences of pharmaceutical contamination on aquatic wildlife, high-speed imaging should be incorporated into future environmental risk assessments.

FAUNA VILINIH KONJICA (ODONATA) PLANINE ZELENGORA I NACIONALNOG PARKA SUTJESKA

Visokoplaninska staništa u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) su često izolovana i teško pristupačna, zbog čegaje njihova fauna vilinih konjica sve do danas ostala gotovo potpuno neistražena. Cilj ovog rada bio jedati prvi pregled faune vilinih konjica Zelengore i Nacionalnog parka Sutjeska, jednog od odonatološkinajznačajnijih područja u zemlji.U fauni vilinih konjica Zelengore i NP Sutjeska registrovano je ukupno 35 vrsta, što predstavlja 55%faune ovog reda insekata u BiH. U rad su, uz podatke istraživanja provedenih u 2015. i 2016. godini,uključeni i neobjavljeni podaci autora prikupljeni između 2009. i 2014. godine, literaturni podaci tepodaci muzejskih kolekcija Zemaljskog muzeja BiH. Prikupljeno je ukupno 457 nalaza sa 53 lokaliteta,od čega je preko 76% novih podataka. Prema broju lokaliteta najzastupljenije vrste na istraživanomprostoru su: Cordulegaster bidentata Selys, 1843 (26), Cordulia aenea (Linnaeus, 1758) (23), Aeshnagrandis (Linnaeus, 1758) (15), Libellula quadrimaculata Linnaeus, 1758 (15) i Enallagma cyathigerum(Charpentier, 1840) (14), dok su lokaliteti sa najvećim brojem vrsta: Orlovačko jezero (22), Gornje Bare(20) i Donje Bare (19). Ova jezera su ujedno i lokaliteti sa najvećim brojem ugroženih i zaštićenih vrsta.Najznačajnije pronađene vrste su: Coenagrion scitulum (Rambur, 1842), Coenagrion hastulatum (Charpentier,1825), A. grandis, Aeshna juncea (Linnaeus, 1758), Somatochlora metallica (Vander Linden,1825), Cordulegaster heros Theischinger, 1979, C. bidentata i Sympetrum flaveolum (Linnaeus, 1758).Za reliktne vrste, C. hastulatum i S. metallica, planinska jezera Zelengore su jedino poznato stanište uBiH. Za vrste A. grandis i A. juncea ova jezera predstavljaju najznačajnija staništa u zemlji. Među registrovanimvrstama, 30 se nalazi na Crvenoj listi zaštićenih vrsta u Republici Srpskoj, a registrovane su i svetri vrste navedene na Crvenoj listi Federacije BiH. Cordulegaster heros je vrsta sa Dodatka II i IV Direktiveo staništima Evropske unije i ranjiva (VU) vrsta Mediterana.

Parasitism, immune response, and egg production of the spearhead bluet (Coenagrion hastulatum) damselfly

Theoretical models predict that parasites reduce reproductive success of their hosts, but very few empirical studies have given support to this. Using the spearhead bluet (Coenagrion hastulatum (Charpentier, 1825)) damselfly, we tested how immune response, wing length, and the number of both endo- and ecto-parasites affect egg production of host damselflies. The study was conducted with four different populations in southwest Finland. We found a negative association between endoparasitic gregarines and number of host eggs. Furthermore, immune response increased with the number of water mites, but decreased with the number of eggs. Contrary to previous studies with other damselfly species, the number of ectoparasitic water mites did not affect the number of eggs. Moreover, wing length, used as an indicator of individual size, was not associated with egg numbers. The negative effect of gregarine parasites on egg numbers is likely to affect the composition of host populations, i.e., damselflies that show higher resistance to these endoparasites will have more of their offspring represented in subsequent generations. In future, more experimental research on the varying effects of different parasite species on the number of eggs is needed.

Populations of the damselflyCoenagrion hastulatumat the edge of the species range have fewer gregarine and water mite parasites

SummaryThe metapopulation theory predicts that the more distant a host population is from other populations, the more challenged will be a parasite to colonise it. We studied parasite prevalence of two parasite taxa across the geographical range of their host in Finland, from more dense host population structure in the south of Finland, towards the northern edge of the host distribution characterised by more isolated populations.We found that prevalence of both water mites and gregarines decreased with increasing latitude towards the distribution edge with more isolated population structure of the host damselfly,Coenagrion hastulatum. Furthermore, the prevalences of the two parasite groups were positively correlated.The results are discussed in the context of three non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses, explaining why host species have fewer parasites at the edge of their geographic range: (i) unsuitable host hypothesis, (ii) physiological barrier hypothesis and (iii) metapopulation hypothesis.

Ecological effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems--impacts through behavioural alterations.

The study of animal behaviour is important for both ecology and ecotoxicology, yet research in these two fields is currently developing independently. Here, we synthesize the available knowledge on drug-induced behavioural alterations in fish, discuss potential ecological consequences and report results from an experiment in which we quantify both uptake and behavioural impact of a psychiatric drug on a predatory fish (Perca fluviatilis) and its invertebrate prey (Coenagrion hastulatum). We show that perch became more active while damselfly behaviour was unaffected, illustrating that behavioural effects of pharmaceuticals can differ between species. Furthermore, we demonstrate that prey consumption can be an important exposure route as on average 46% of the pharmaceutical in ingested prey accumulated in the predator. This suggests that investigations of exposure through bioconcentration, where trophic interactions and subsequent bioaccumulation of exposed individuals are ignored, underestimate exposure. Wildlife may therefore be exposed to higher levels of behaviourally altering pharmaceuticals than predictions based on commonly used exposure assays and pharmaceutical concentrations found in environmental monitoring programmes.

Contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Results of the ECOO 2012

As a part of the 2nd European Congress on Odonatology (ECOO 2012), which was held in the beginning of July 2012 in Belgrade (Serbia), a post congress excursion to Bosnia and Herzegovina was organized. Between 6 and 12 August 2012, altogether 36 localities in three biogeographical regions throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina were surveyed, and 52 dragonfly species were found. This represents 83% of the hitherto recorded dragonfly species for the country. The most significant results are the second record and a new locality of Somatochlora metallica, second record of Coenagrion hastulatum, and first observation of the strong population of Lindenia tetraphylla for the country. New records of rare and/or threatened species, i.e. Coenagrion ornatum, Ceriagrion tenellum, Caliaeschna microstigma, Cordulegaster heros and Selysiothemis nigra, are also reported. The records of the most interesting species are briefly discussed from the aspects of biogeography and nature conservation.

Parasite burden and the insect immune response: interpopulation comparison

The immune response affects host's survival and reproductive success. Insurmountable immune function has not evolved because it is costly and there is a trade-off between other life-history traits. In previous studies several factors such as diet and temperature have been proposed to cause interpopulation differences in immune response. Moreover, the insect immune system may be functionally more protective upon secondary exposure, thus infection history may associate with the immune response. Here we measured how geographical location and parasite burden is related to variation in immune response between populations. We included 13 populations of the Northern Damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) in Finland over a latitudinal range of 880 km to this study. We found that water mites associated strongly with the immune response at interpopulation level: the more the mites, the higher the immune response. Also, in an alternative model based on AIC, latitude and individual size associated with the immune response. In turn, endoparasitic gregarines did not affect the immune response. To conclude, a positive interpopulation association between the immune response and the rate of water mite infection may indicate (i) local adaptation to chronic parasite stress, (ii) effective 'induced' immune response against parasites, or (iii) a combined effect of both of these.

Coenagrion hastulatum (Charpentier, 1825), new for the dragonfly fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

At the high-altitude Donje Bare and Gornje Bare Lakes in the surroundings of Tjentište village, Zelengora Mts., Sutjeska National Park, SE Bosnia and Herzegovina, Coenagrion hastulatum was recorded on 26 June 2011. The occurrence of the species on the southern border of its European range is outlined and discussed. Faunistic records on a total of 22 spp. observed at 11 localities in the southeastern part of the country between 26 and 29 June 2011 are appended.

Behavioural and life history effects of predator diet cues during ontogeny in damselfly larvae

A central issue in predator-prey interactions is how predator associated chemical cues affect the behaviour and life history of prey. In this study, we investigated how growth and behaviour during ontogeny of a damselfly larva (Coenagrion hastulatum) in high and low food environments was affected by the diet of a predator (Aeshna juncea). We reared larvae in three different predator treatments; no predator, predator feeding on conspecifics and predator feeding on heterospecifics. We found that, independent of food availability, larvae displayed the strongest anti-predator behaviours where predators consumed prey conspecifics. Interestingly, the effect of predator diet on prey activity was only present early in ontogeny, whereas late in ontogeny no difference in prey activity between treatments could be found. In contrast, the significant effect of predator diet on prey spatial distribution was unaffected by time. Larval size was affected by both food availability and predator diet. Larvae reared in the high food treatment grew larger than larvae in the low food treatment. Mean larval size was smallest in the treatment where predators consumed prey conspecifics, intermediate where predators consumed heterospecifics and largest in the treatment without predators. The difference in mean larval size between treatments is probably an effect of reduced larval feeding, due to behavioural responses to chemical cues associated with predator diet. Our study suggests that anti-predator responses can be specific for certain stages in ontogeny. This finding shows the importance of considering where in its ontogeny a study organism is before results are interpreted and generalisations are made. Furthermore, this finding accentuates the importance of long-term studies and may have implications for how results generated by short-term studies can be used.

Dragonflies (Odonata) of some small anthropogenic water bodies in Cracow City

Dragonflies of small anthropogenic water bodies were studied in Cracow City (south Poland) in the years 2001–2004. 38 species were recorded, of which 24 were autochthonous and 6 probably autochthonous. Many southern and southeastern species occurred, of which the most interesting are: Aeshna affinis (Vander L.), Orthetrum albistylum (Sel.), Sympetrum fonscolombii (Sel.) and Crocothemis erythrea (Brulle). Also important are the tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous species: Coenagrion hastulatum (Charp.), Lestes sponsa (Hansem.), Sympetrum danae (Sulz.), Leucorrhinia dubia (Vander L.) and L. rubicunda (L.). The importance of these secondary biotopes for the protectionof dragonflies is discussed.

Thermal reaction norms in two Coenagrion damselfly species: contrasting embryonic and larval life‐history traits

Summary1. We studied the temperature‐dependence of important life‐history traits both at the embryonic (egg hatching success, embryonic development time and hatchling size) and the larval stage (larval growth rate, larval survival and larval size after 100 days) using full‐sib families of two congeneric damselflies, Coenagrion hastulatum and Coenagrion puella, that differ in latitudinal distribution. Larvae were reared in the laboratory from the egg stage at four temperatures (12, 17, 22 and 27 °C).2. The observed patterns of thermal plasticity in embryonic traits showed that the northern species was more successful than the southern species at lower temperatures, in line with the pattern of temperature adaptation in thermal reaction norms.3. At the larval stage, we found no consistent pattern of latitudinal compensation. The thermal family reaction norms indicate, however, the potential for latitudinal compensation to evolve. We observed an ontogenetic shift in thermal optima for larval growth rate, with a higher optimal temperature for growth rate during the first 2 weeks of the larval stage.4. This is the first indication of the existence of latitudinal compensation at the interspecific level in an invertebrate; it is stage‐specific, being present only in the embryonic stage. We argue that compensation in the embryonic stage may be much more likely than in the larvae and stress the importance of including more then one life‐history stage when drawing conclusions about the adaptiveness of patterns in thermal reaction norms.

Effects of Fish Predators and Abiotic Factors on Dragonfly Community Structure

ABSTRACT We compared the community structure of odonates (Odonata) in 13 waters in northern Sweden, which differed with respect to fish presence and abiotic factors. Richness and abundance of odonates were estimated by collecting exuviae during the whole emergence season of 1999. Redundancy analysis revealed that fish presence influenced the community composition of the odonate larvae. While species richness per sample was not affected by the presence of fish, total abundance of odonates was higher in waters without fish. In waters with fish, Aeschna juncea and Leucorrhinia dubia showed lower abundances, whereas Erythromma najas and Cordulia aenea showed higher abundances. The abundances of Coenagrion hastulatum, Libellula quadrimaculata, and Leucorrhinia rubicunda did not differ between waters with and without fish. Of the six abiotic factors analyzed only water acidity was associated with odonate community structure.

The slow—fast life style characteristics in a suite of six species of odonate larvae

1 The validity of the slow—fast lifestyle dichotomy proposed by Sih (1987) was tested in a suite of six odonate species from a restricted geographical area. Data on activity and microhabitat use were obtained in a laboratory study. Further necessary information on life history, macrohabitat (ephemeral-permanent) use and vulnerability to fish predation was provided by a literature survey. 2 Activity was estimated as number of moves and distance moved for the six odonate larvae. Aeschna juncea, Lestes sponsa and Sympetrum danae were categorised as high-active species, whereas Coenagrion hastulatum, Cordulia aenea and Leucorhinia dubia were categorised as low-active species. 3 C. hastulatum and L. sponsa exploited microhabitats close to the water surface, C. aenea and L. dubia close to the bottom, and A. juncea and S. danae were intermediate in their water depth utilisation. 4 A principal component analysis of the data from the laboratory experiment and the literature survey supported the slow—fast life style dichotomy since the variables activity, macrohabitat use, life cycle length and sensitivity to fish predators were highly correlated.