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AUTECOLOGY OF TWO AESHNA SPECIES (ODONATA) IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Timothy G. Halverson
Timothy G. Halverson
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742
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Abstract

Aeshna tuberculifera Walker and A. umbrosa Walker were studied in the Shenandoah Mountains, Rockingham County, Virginia for 5 years. Both species had 2-year life cycles. They passed the first winter in an embryonic diapause and the second in a larval diapause. Although A. umbrosa was slightly smaller and developed earlier in the year, growth patterns of the two species were similar. Adults emerged from mid-summer to mid-fall with a slight protandry. Sex ratio at emergence was equal in A. tuberculifera but slightly biased toward males in A. umbrosa. Individuals emerging later in the season tended to be smaller than those emerging earlier, and the decline in size was linear over time. The maturation period lasted 4–6 weeks. Poor recovery of marked teneral and breeding adults indicates either high mortality or high dispersal, but observed movement among ponds by marked breeding adults suggests high dispersal. Breeding males of both species defended entire ponds for short periods. Both males and females were present more frequently in the afternoon than during the morning or at mid-day. Females often oviposited in the late afternoon or early evening when males were usually absent from the ponds. A. tuberculifera used stems of Juncus effusus L. almost exclusively for oviposition, while A. umbrosa used a variety of dead plant or other material and rarely used J. effusus stems.

Résumé

Aeshna tuberculifera Walker et A. umbrosa Walker ont été étudiés pendant 5 ans dans les montagnes Shenandoah, comté de Rockingham, Virginia. Le cycle vital des 2 espèces était de 2 ans. Le premier hiver était passé en diapause embryonnaire et la seconde en diapause larvaire. Bien que A. umbrosa ait été de taille inférieure et se soit développé plus tôt au cours de l'année, les profils de croissance des 2 espèces étaient similaires. Les adultes ont émergé de la mi-été à la mi-automne, avec une protandrie légère. Le rapport numérique mâles-femelles était équilibré chez A. tuberculifera, mais légèrement biaisé vers les mâles chez A. umbrosa. Les individus émergeant tard en saison tendaient à être plus petits que ceux émergeant tôt. La période de maturité a duré de 4 à 6 semaines. Les faibles recaptures d'adultes marqués en période ténérale ou reproductive indiquent soit une mortalité élevée, soit une dispersion prononcée; l'observation de déplacements d'adultes reproducteurs entre étangs laisse croire à une dispersion prononcée. Les mâles en reproduction des 2 espèces ont défendu des étangs entiers pendant de brèves périodes. Les mâles et les femelles étaient présents plus fréquemment durant l'après-midi que le matin ou au milieu du jour. Les femelles ont souvent pondu tard l'après-midi ou tôt en soirée alors que les mâles étaient ordinairement absents des étangs. A. tuberculifera utilise presqu'exclusivement des tiges de Juncus effusus L. pour la ponte, alors que A. umbrosa utilise une variété de plantes mortes ou d'autres matériaux et rarement les tiges de J. effusus.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 116 , Issue 4 , April 1984 , pp. 567 - 578
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1984

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