Blue-tailed damselfly

Last updated

Contents

Blue-tailed damselfly
Blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans) male adult.jpg
Mature male
Ischnura elegans LC0356.jpg
Female, form rufescens
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Ischnura
Species:
I. elegans
Binomial name
Ischnura elegans
Synonyms
  • Agrion elegans Vander Linden, 1820
  • Agrion rubens Evans, 1845
  • Ischnura lamellata Kolbe, 1885

The blue-tailed damselfly or common bluetail (Ischnura elegans) is a damselfly, belonging to the family Coenagrionidae. [1]

Subspecies and varieties

Subspecies and varieties include: [2]

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe [3] and the middle-east. It is a common species.

Habitat

These damselflies can be found in a wide range of lowland environments, with standing and slow flowing waters, brackish and polluted water. [4]

Description

mating Blue-tailed damselfies (Ischnura elegans) mating female typica 4.jpg
mating

Ischnura elegans can reach a body length of 27–35 millimetres (1.1–1.4 in) and a wingspan of about 35 millimetres (1.4 in). Hindwings reach alength of 14–20 millimetres (0.55–0.79 in). [5] Adult male blue-tailed damselflies have a head and thorax patterned with blue and black. There is a bi-coloured pterostigma on the front wings. Eyes are blue. [4] They have a largely black abdomen with very narrow pale markings where each segment joins the next. Segment eight, however, is entirely pale blue. [4] At rest, the wings of most damselfly species are held back together, unlike dragonflies, which rest with their wings out flat. The thorax of juvenile males has a green tinge. [5]

Female blue-tailed Damselflies come in a variety of colour forms. [4] Juveniles may be salmon pink, form rufescens; violet, form violacea and a pale green form. The colour darkens as the damselfly ages. Mature females may be blue like the male, form typica; olive green thorax and brown spot, form infuscans or pale brown thorax and brown spot, form infusca-obseleta. [5] [4]

Biology and behavior

Adults fly from April to September to early October. [4] The adult damselflies prey on small flying insects, caught using their legs like a basket to scoop the prey up while flying, or insects taken from leaves. Damselfly nymphs are aquatic, and prey on small aquatic insects or other aquatic larvae.

A male can try to interfere with a mating pair, by attaching itself to the mating male. The females always lay their eggs on the floating parts of the plants without any involvement of the male.

Blue-tailed Damselflies are superb fliers and can alter each of their four wing's kinematics in order to maneuver. A recent study has shown that they can compensate for a whole wing loss and even successfully maneuver and catch prey. [6]

Female Polymorphism

In damselfly populations, there is often a surplus of males displaying male mate harassment. In order to avoid unwanted mating attempts, females have developed polymorphisms that allow some of them to avoid recognition by males by mimicking male phenotypes. [7]  There are three specific morphs found in the Ischnura elegans species: androchromes, aurantiaca(rufescens) and infuscans. The androchromes resemble the male coloration, and the gynochromes, which can be either aurantiaca or infuscan, do not resemble males. [8]  The aurantiaca female morph is a pink-orange color with a blue abdominal patch that eventually disappears after maturation. The third morph, infuscan, displays an olive-green coloration with no color on its abdominal patch. Females are able to fully mature into their differing morph colorations just a few days after they finish their transition from aquatic larvae to their mature forms.

Although having an increased number of morphs makes it more difficult for males to distinguish between males from females, the levels of male mate harassment is different between the different morphs. Males primarily rely on visual cues to distinguish between the morphs and can also use odour cues, secondarily. [9] Androchromes are often seen to face less male mate harassment because they resemble males and are less desired. [10]  This gives androchromes an advantage in that they are able to spend more time allowing their eggs to mature instead of exerting energy avoiding unwanted mating attempts. Along with that, the morphs also display different mate avoidance tactics. Androchromes are more likely to face off with males by spreading their wings and curling their abdomens while gynochromes tend to fly away to avoid mating. [11] Despite potentially having more time for egg maturation, the androchromes are still disadvantaged because their abdomens, like males, are more narrow which prevents them from being able to carry as many eggs as gynochromes. [12]

There are also five main hypotheses that attempt to understand how the different female polymorphisms are continually maintained in this species. The reproductive isolation hypothesis states that there is a greater predation pressure on androchromes, which is seen as a trade-off to maintain the more inconspicuous morph. The male-mimicry hypothesis, mentioned previously, proposes that the androchromes ability to mimic male coloration allows them to avoid unwanted mating attempts and allocate more time to egg maturation. The density-dependent hypothesis states that the maintenance of the polymorphisms is attributed to the changing population densities. The habituation hypothesis states that males are actually most attracted to the morph that is most abundant. [13]  Lastly, the neutral hypothesis proposes that the female morphs are maintained by genetic drift, mutations, and founders effect all working together as well as that they might be more neutral to selection. [14]

Mating and Behavior

The I. elegans species of damselflies participate in a male scramble mate choice mating system in which a males mating success is determined by how fast they are able to find a mate. This includes many hours of copulations in which males are unable to monopolize a single female and some males are often left with no mates at all. Due to this, the I. elegans species displays intense male-male competition which leads to males forcing copulations with females. Along with the lengthy copulations, the reproductive lifespan of this species is only a few weeks. Cooperation from both males and females is required for copulation and females have the ability to reject sperm transfer from unwanted mating attempts. A tandem formation is created by males through the clasping of the female pronotum. [15]

I. elegans have the ability to rapidly adapt to their environments which puts them under heavy selective pressures. [16]  As this species has originated from tropical environments, their hatching times are often shorter in warmer temperatures than cooler temperatures. [17]  Females are also more likely to spend time near bodies of water as that is where they lay their eggs. [18]  In response to changing social contexts and population densities, males may change their sexual preferences and choose to mate with other males. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damselfly</span> Suborder of insects

Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. Damselflies have existed since the Jurassic, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

<i>Enallagma cyathigerum</i> Species of damselfly

Enallagma cyathigerum is a species found mainly between latitudes 40°N and 72°N; It is widely distributed in the Palearctic, and the Nearctic species Enallagma annexum was at one time considered to be synonymous with it. The species can reach a length of 32 to 35 mm. It is common in many different countries including Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the United States of America, and South Korea. Damselflies are an important link between the health of the aquatic ecosystem and its response to climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calopterygidae</span> Family of damselflies

The Calopterygidae are a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera. They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies, demoiselles, or jewelwings. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm, are often metallic-coloured, and can be differentiated from other damselflies by the broader connection between the wings and the body, as opposed to the abrupt narrowing seen in other damselfly families. The family contains some 150 species.

<i>Ischnura senegalensis</i> Species of insect

Ischnura senegalensis, also known variously as common bluetail, marsh bluetail, ubiquitous bluetail, African bluetail, and Senegal golden dartlet, is a widespread damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. It is native from Africa, through the Middle East, to southern and eastern Asia.

Sexual mimicry occurs when one sex mimics the opposite sex in its behavior, appearance, or chemical signalling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dainty damselfly</span> Species of damselfly

The dainty damselfly, also known as the dainty bluet, is a blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This is a scarce species found mainly in southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest Asia, and Central America. C. scitulum are Odonata predators that can reach a length of 30–33 mm at maturity and have hind-wing lengths of 15–20 mm. The males and females do exhibit differing features through their colouration making them easily distinguishable. As shown in the photo to the left, segment eight is blue in colour followed by black markings on segment nine, whereas the females are mostly black near the rear with smaller blue markings. Although they are relatively simple to sex, they are easily confused with the common blue damselfly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citrine forktail</span> Species of damselfly

The citrine forktail is a damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae.

<i>Ischnura</i> Genus of damselflies

Ischnura is a genus of damselflies known as forktails in the family Coenagrionidae. Forktails are distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection at the tip of the abdomen which gives the group their common name.

<i>Ischnura gemina</i> Species of damselfly

Ischnura gemina is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae known by the common name San Francisco forktail. It is endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in the United States. This uncommon insect has a total range of less than 500 square miles in the Bay Area, occurring only in greater San Francisco and parts of San Mateo and Marin Counties. This species is "one of the rarest Odonates in the United States."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarce blue-tailed damselfly</span> Species of damselfly

The scarce blue-tailed damselfly or small bluetail is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red and blue damsel</span> Species of damselfly

The red and blue damsel is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Xanthagrion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rambur's forktail</span> Species of damselfly

Rambur's forktail is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae. Males are green with blue on abdominal segments 8 and 9. Females are orange-red, olive green, or similar to males in coloration. This is the most widespread New World Ischnura, occurring throughout the Americas from the United States to Chile, as well as Hawaii and the Antilles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern forktail</span> Species of damselfly

Eastern forktail is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae.

<i>Lestes sponsa</i> Species of damselfly

Lestes sponsa is a damselfly with a wide Palaearctic distribution. It is known commonly as the emerald damselfly or common spreadwing. Both males and females have a metallic green colour and brown wing spots. It resides near pools with aquatic plants. When resting its wings are usually half opened.

<i>Austrolestes colensonis</i> Species of damselfly

Austrolestes colensonis, commonly known as the blue damselfly, is a species of damselfly of the family Lestidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can commonly be found throughout the country, and at any time of the year. It is New Zealand's largest damselfly, and only blue odonate.

<i>Amphiallagma parvum</i> Species of damselfly

Amphiallagma parvum, little blue or azure dartlet, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. This species can be found in many South Asian countries including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and probably in Bangladesh.

<i>Ischnura erratica</i> Species of damselfly

Ischnura erratica, the swift forktail, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to the Pacific Northwest, ranging from British Columbia to northern California.

<i>Agriocnemis pieris</i> Species of damselfly

Agriocnemis pieris, white dartlet, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in India and is likely to extend into Bangladesh.

<i>Argia vivida</i> Species of damselfly

Argia vivida, the vivid dancer, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. This species is commonly found in springs and forests Central America and North America. Argia vivida inhabit areas of diverse temperatures due to thermoregulation. The species is also considered the state insect of Nevada.

References

  1. ↑ Bisby F.A., Roskov Y.R., Orrell T.M., Nicolson D., Paglinawan L.E., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., Baillargeon G., Ouvrard D. Catalogue of life
  2. ↑ Biolib
  3. ↑ Fauna europaea
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 BDS - British Dragonfly Society
  5. 1 2 3 L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz British Insects: the Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies
  6. ↑ Kassner, Ziv; Dafni, Eyal; Ribak, Gal (2016-02-01). "Kinematic compensation for wing loss in flying damselflies". Journal of Insect Physiology. 85: 1–9. doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.11.009. PMID   26598807.
  7. ↑ Hammers, Martijn; Sánchez-Guillén, Rosa Ana; Van Gossum, Hans (July 2009). "Differences in Mating Propensity Between Immature Female Color Morphs in the Damselfly Ischnura elegans (Insecta: Odonata)". Journal of Insect Behavior. 22 (4): 324–337. Bibcode:2009JIBeh..22..324H. doi:10.1007/s10905-009-9175-2. ISSN   0892-7553.
  8. ↑ Sánchez-Guillén, Rosa A.; Ceccarelli, Sara; Villalobos, Fabricio; Neupane, Suman; Rivas-Torres, Anais; Sanmartín-Villar, Iago; Wellenreuther, Maren; Bybee, Seth M.; Velásquez-Vélez, María I.; Realpe, Emilio; Chávez-Ríos, Jesús R.; Dumont, Henri J.; Cordero-Rivera, Adolfo (December 2020). "The evolutionary history of colour polymorphism in Ischnura damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)". Odonatologica. 49 (3–4): 333–370. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4268559 (inactive 2024-04-26). ISSN   0375-0183.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of April 2024 (link)
  9. ↑ Rebora, Manuela; Frati, Francesca; Piersanti, Silvana; Salerno, Gianandrea; Selvaggini, Roberto; Fincke, Ola M. (February 2018). "Field tests of multiple sensory cues in sex recognition and harassment of a colour polymorphic damselfly". Animal Behaviour. 136: 127–136. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.12.015.
  10. ↑ Van Gossum, Hans; Stoks, Robby; Matthysen, Erik; Valck, Famke; De Bruyn, Luc (June 1999). "Male choice for female colour morphs in Ischnura elegans (Odonata, Coenagrionidae): testing the hypotheses". Animal Behaviour. 57 (6): 1229–1232. doi:10.1006/anbe.1999.1100. PMID   10373255.
  11. ↑ Stoks, Robby; De Bruyn, Luc; Van Gossum, Hans (2001-12-01). "Frequency-dependent male mate harassment and intra-specific variation in its avoidance by females of the damselfly Ischnura elegans". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 51 (1): 69–75. doi:10.1007/s002650100418. ISSN   0340-5443.
  12. ↑ academic.oup.com https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/11/1/112/2493350?login=false . Retrieved 2024-04-26.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ Van Gossum, Hans; Stoks, Robby; Matthysen, Erik; Valck, Famke; De Bruyn, Luc (June 1999). "Male choice for female colour morphs in Ischnura elegans (Odonata, Coenagrionidae): testing the hypotheses". Animal Behaviour. 57 (6): 1229–1232. doi:10.1006/anbe.1999.1100. PMID   10373255.
  14. ↑ Cordero, Adolfo; Carbone, Serena Santolamazza; Utzeri, Carlo (January 1998). "Mating opportunities and mating costs are reduced in androchrome female damselflies,Ischnura elegans(Odonata)". Animal Behaviour. 55 (1): 185–197. doi:10.1006/anbe.1997.0603. PMID   9480685.
  15. ↑ Hammers, Martijn; Sánchez-Guillén, Rosa Ana; Van Gossum, Hans (July 2009). "Differences in Mating Propensity Between Immature Female Color Morphs in the Damselfly Ischnura elegans (Insecta: Odonata)". Journal of Insect Behavior. 22 (4): 324–337. Bibcode:2009JIBeh..22..324H. doi:10.1007/s10905-009-9175-2. ISSN   0892-7553.
  16. ↑ Sánchez-Guillén, Rosa A.; Ceccarelli, Sara; Villalobos, Fabricio; Neupane, Suman; Rivas-Torres, Anais; Sanmartín-Villar, Iago; Wellenreuther, Maren; Bybee, Seth M.; Velásquez-Vélez, María I.; Realpe, Emilio; Chávez-Ríos, Jesús R.; Dumont, Henri J.; Cordero-Rivera, Adolfo (December 2020). "The evolutionary history of colour polymorphism in Ischnura damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)". Odonatologica. 49 (3–4): 333–370. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4268559 (inactive 2024-04-26). ISSN   0375-0183.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of April 2024 (link)
  17. ↑ academic.oup.com https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/11/1/112/2493350?login=false . Retrieved 2024-04-26.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ Conrad, Kelvin F.; Willson, Karen H.; Whitfield, Katherine; Harvey, Ian F.; Thomas, Chris J.; Sherratt, Thomas N. (August 2002). "Characteristics of dispersing Ischnura elegans and Coenagrion puella (Odonata): age, sex, size, morph and ectoparasitism". Ecography. 25 (4): 439–445. Bibcode:2002Ecogr..25..439C. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0587.2002.250406.x. ISSN   0906-7590.
  19. ↑ Van Gossum, H; De Bruyn, L; Stoks, R (2005-09-22). "Reversible switches between male–male and male–female mating behaviour by male damselflies". Biology Letters. 1 (3): 268–270. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0315. ISSN   1744-9561. PMC   1617167 . PMID   17148184.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.