Oviposition preference in the dark-winged damselfly (Calopteryx maculata).

Abstract

Our study investigated preference of oviposition in Calopteryx maculata, the dark-winged damselfly. Artificial damselfly territories were created using several leaves of Sparganium americanum fixed in place in a river, at known flow rates for 48 hours. On each leaf total eggs were counted and algal coverage was measured. We found that C. maculata oviposits more frequently in areas of intermediate flow rate, approximately 0.2-0.4 m/s. We also found that algal coverage was more common in this flow rate range, suggesting that damselflies oviposition choice is not affected by the presence of algae and that there is a relatively narrow window of optimum flow rate for oviposition.