Large net cage for captive breeding and behavioural studies of damselfly Lestes sponsa (Hansemann, 1823) (Odonata: Lestidae): submerged oviposition as a model behaviour

ABSTRACT

Odonata have a strong potential as model organisms for testing ecological and evolutionary hypotheses because of their short life history, relative ease and cost-effectiveness of care. Unfortunately, very few studies have examined how to create a semi-natural environment for odonates, limiting the biological validity of laboratory manipulation. To better study odonate life cycle and behaviour under controlled conditions, we designed a large net cage that imitated the natural terrestrial as well as aquatic habitat of the damselfly Lestes sponsa (Hansemann, 1823). This species is thought to be capable of submerged oviposition, an unusual behaviour in odonates. We compared multiple variables across natural conditions and the net cage. We demonstrated that between-year variability under natural conditions was generally greater than variability between natural and artificial environments. Overall, semi-natural conditions did not substantially change the L. sponsa life cycle (including the unique behaviour of submerged oviposition), suggesting that results from the net cage are likely generalisable to the field.

KEYWORDS:

• Odonata
• Lestes sponsa
• damselfly cage
• manipulative experiment
• ovipositional strategy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Marie Helebrandová for her assistance with the design and construction of the damselfly cage and Dean Hendrie for language-related corrections.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [number LO1208]; University of Ostrava [number SGS15/PřF/2017]; and the Institute of Environmental Technologies [grant number CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0100].