Oviposition site preference and egg parasitism in Sympecma paedisca (Odonata: Lestidae)

2015

Insect Science

Egg deposition within plants is one of the most widely distributed and ancient behaviors in Odonata. The resulting clutch consists of eggs placed in peculiar pattern that can be a characteristic for certain groups of Odonata. Despite their importance for paleontological and evolutionary research, data on egg-clutch positioning are missing or insufficient for most species. Here, patterning of egg clutches in Lestes virens was measured and described in detail for the first time. The female usually produces a linear row of single eggs directed at an angle rightward or leftward to the longitudinal axis of plant substrate. Less often eggs are arranged in egg-sets consisting of up to 4 eggs. Apparently, the female insect follows the rigid behavior stereotypes during oviposition and is unable to easily switch to the alternate stereotypical behavior of single egg deposition or production of multiegg sets. Based on a literature review and original data, egg clutch patterning of European Lestidae is overlaid on preexisting phylogenies. The resulting evolutionary scenario of egg-clutch patterning can be considered in the framework of egg-laying behavior in Lestidae.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egg clutch patterning in Lestes virens (Odonata, Lestidae) with evolutionary emphasis on endophytic oviposition in lestid dragonflies

2015

Insect Science

“…The preference of L. macrostigma for B. maritimus rather than dead shoots of J. maritimus is likely to reflect advantages for eggs: lower parasitism rate and/or better survival during diapauses and/or better access to conditions necessary for postdiapause development and/or a higher hatching rate (Sawchyn and Gillot 1974;Siva-Jothy et al 1995;Reinhardt and Gerighausen 2001). In L. macrostigma, shoots containing eggs need to be flooded for successful egg development and the sooner the flooding of the egg-clutch the higher the hatching rate (Lambret, unpublished data, 2014).…”

Section: Reasons For Choice Of Bolboschoenus Maritimus Versus Juncus mentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant preference during oviposition in the endangered dragonfly Lestes macrostigma (Odonata: Zygoptera) and consequences for its conservation

Besnard

2015

J Insect Conserv

Biotic and abiotic features impact the breeding success of animals and thereby induce selection pressures for habitat selection. Little is known about the plant selection by predatory insects which lay their eggs within plants.In previous work, we have highlighted that during oviposition males of Lestes macrostigma-an endangered dragonfly species-prefer to land on Bolboschoenus maritimus and dead shoots of Juncus maritimus but disfavour living shoots in that species, and that females seem to prefer dead material during substrate examination. In this study we assessed behavioural preference in females during substrate examination, substrates suitability for oviposition, the effort females had to make to lay their eggs and their resulting oviposition rate. We show L. macrostigma has a preference for B. maritimus and, albeit to a lesser extent, for dead substrates. No clear trend appeared regarding substrate suitability. Females had to make a greater effort to lay an egg within living shoots of J. maritimus. By contrast, this effort was less in B. maritimus and dead shoots of J. maritimus and the oviposition rates were higher for these two types of substrate. We hypothesize that these preferences are relevant in the selection of oviposition substrates which are more likely to be flooded earlier by rainfall, reducing risk of egg desiccation and increasing hatching success. With regard to conservation, B. maritimus and J. maritimus should be encouraged by wildlife managers especially in habitat restoration programs which aim to increase the number of suitable breeding sites for the species.

“…Oviposition site choice is associated with fitness in odonates, for example by affecting egg clutch size and egg deposition rate (Laplante ; Grunert ; Martens ) or egg survival (Siva‐Jothy et al . ; Reinhardt & Gerighausen ). Hence it is expected that odonate species with endophytic oviposition should show clear preferences during egg deposition and select some specific plant species or certain parts of plants within which they deposit their eggs (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence it is expected that odonate species with endophytic oviposition should show clear preferences during egg deposition and select some specific plant species or certain parts of plants within which they deposit their eggs (e.g. Sawchyn & Gillot ; Reinhardt & Gerighausen ; Purse & Thompson ). Furthermore, an odonate species, Coenagrion caerulescens (Fonscolombe, 1838), which prefers to lay eggs in dead plant substrates, can discriminate between living and dead plant material during the “initial preference” phase (Martens ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial preference for plant species and state during oviposition site selection by an odonate

Besnard

2015

Entomological Science

Endophytic egg-laying odonates use an ovipositor to insert their eggs inside plant tissues. Before egg deposition, oviposition site selection consists of two crucial steps: (i) the initial choice, typically decided in species that oviposit in tandem within vertical substrates by the male when landing and then by the female by staying on the substrate or flying to another; and (ii) the insertion site choice, made by the female who uses her ovipositor to palpate the substrate. Some odonates prefer to deposit their eggs within specific plant species. Some are able to discriminate between living and dead substrates during the initial choice. However, the extent to which odonates discriminate among distinct plant species during the initial choice is unknown. We studied the initial site preference in Lestes macrostigma (Odonata: Lestidae) to determine whether the males and/or females show a distinct preference among five types of shoots when landing on or when palpating the substrate, respectively. Male L. macrostigma preferred to land on Bolboschoenus maritimus and dead Juncus spp. When focusing on J. maritimus, females preferentially palpated the substrate when the male landed on dead shoots. We suggest that the male preference for these substrates is consistent with that of the female during insertion site choice but also during egg deposition. Such behavior should reduce the duration of oviposition, with benefits of reducing the predation risk and increasing available time for foraging. The advantage in preferring these substrates should be linked to a selection pressure acting on egg development and/or survival.