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Das Otternhagener Moor ist durch die langjährige flächendeckende Entwässerung insbesondere ab den 1950iger Jahren in seinem Wasserhaushalt gestört und große Bereiche sind heute stark degradiert. Im Rahmen des LIFE+ Projektes Hannoversche Moorgeest werden seit dem Jahr 2012 mithilfe von Fördermitteln der Europäischen Union umfangreiche Maßnahmen zur Wiedervernässung der Hochmoore der Hannoverschen Moorgeest durchgeführt und damit potentielle Lebensräume für hochmoortypische Tier- und Pflanzenarten gefördert. Im Otternhagener Moor sind diese Maßnahmen bereits in großen Umfang durchgeführt worden. Die Entwässerungsgräben wurden verschlossen und es wurden im Zeitraum von 2021 bis 2023/24 Dämme mit gebietseigenem Torf errichtet, um das Regenwasser auf der Fläche zurückzuhalten. Die Torfentnahme entlang des Dammes erfolgte punktuell, sodass durch den Aushub zahlreiche aneinandergereihte Torfentnahmestellen und damit potentielle Kleingewässer für die Ansiedlung von Libellen entstanden sind. Im Rahmen dieser Bachelorarbeit erfolgte eine Untersuchung über die Eignung dieser Torfentnahmestellen als Ersatzlebensraum für Libellen durch die Erfassung der Libellenfauna an sechs ausgewählten Torfentnahmestellen im Süden des Otternhagener Moores. Die untersuchten Torfentnahmestellen sind in den Baufenstern im Februar 2022 sowie im September/Oktober 2022 angelegt worden. Insgesamt konnten 18 Libellenarten im Erfassungszeitraum von Mai bis September im Jahr 2023 nachgewiesen werden. Es zeigte sich, dass die Torfentnahmestellen bereits nach kurzer Zeit einen Lebensraum für einige Libellenarten darstellen. Von Aeshna cyanea und Sympetrum striolatum wurden bereits Exuvien gefunden und von sechs weiteren Arten (Anax imperator, Coenagrion puella, Lestes sponsa, Libellula quadrimaculata, Orthetrum cancellatum und Pyrrhosoma nymphula) wurde Reproduktionsverhalten beobachtet. Zudem konnten bereits moorpräferente Libellenarten (Lestes virens, Ceriagrion tenellum, Libellula quadrimaculata sowi, The water balance of the Oternhagener Moor has been disturbed by many years of ex-tensive drainage, particularly since the 1950s, and large areas are now severely degraded. As part of the LIFE+ Projekt Hannoversche Moorgeest, extensive measures to rewet the raised bogs of the Hannoversche Moorgeest have been carried out since 2012 with the help of European Union funding, thus creating potential habitats for typical raised bog animal and plant species. These activities have already been realised out on a large scale in the Oternhagener Moor. The drainage ditches were closed and dams with local peat were built in several construction windows in the period from 2021 to 2023/24 to retain rainwater on that area. As part of this bachelor thesis, the suitability of these excavation pits as replacement habitats for dragonflies was investigated by recording the dragonfly fauna at six selected excavation pits in the south of the Oternhagener Moor. The investigated excavation pits were created during the construction windows in February 2022 and September/October 2022. A total of 18 dragonfly species were recorded during the survey period from May to September in 2023. It can be seen that the excavation pits were already suitable as a habitat for some dragonfly species after a short time. Exuviae of Aeshna cyanea and Sympetrum striolatum have already been found and for six other species reproductive behavior has been observed (Anax imperator, Coenagrion puella, Lestes sponsa, Libellula quadrimaculata, Orthetrum cancellatum and Pyrrhosoma nymphula). In addition, dragonfly species that prefer raised bogs (Lestes virens, Ceriagrion tenellum, Libellula quadrimaculata and Sympetrum danae) have already been detected at the investigated peat extraction sites. It can be assumed that future changes to the water body structures due to succession progress will improve the habitat structures for bog-specific dragonfly species, thus favoring the occurrence of raised bog dragonflies at the

Given the rapid response of insects to environmental changes, their most prominent threats may change quickly as well. For effective insect species conservation it is therefore necessary to discriminate between former and current drivers of decline and to focus conservation efforts on the latter. We investigated how various environmental pressures, including former drivers of decline, have affected populations of the regionally endangered damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum and how their relevance has evolved over time. In our analysis, we compared water quality, vegetation properties and population trends across three distinct time spans: 1921–2000, 2001–2015 and 2016–2021. We included all known reproduction sites in the Netherlands, both current and historical, and also considered adjacent sites that were never inhabited. Ponds suitable for the species were characterised by mesotrophic conditions and high coverage of emergent and floating vegetation. Never inhabited ponds differed from inhabited ponds in being either more acidic or more eutrophic. Ponds where C. hastulatum disappeared between 2001 and 2015 had less of the mentioned vegetation structures and higher concentrations of various minerals. Ponds where the species disappeared after 2015 experienced severe droughts during 2018–2020. Most primary threats to C. hastulatum have shifted over time. In the past, changes in human use of ponds and increased sulphur and nitrogen deposition posed prominent threats. Presently, severe droughts, alongside nitrogen deposition have become the dominant concerns. Consequently, restoration of groundwater systems and rewetting measures are now first conservation priorities. Implications for insect conservation: Our study highlights how threats to insect populations can rapidly evolve. Consequently, conservation strategies need regular evaluation and adjustment.

Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24 degrees C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24 degrees C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24 degrees C compared with 21 degrees C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species. We tested how temperature and resource density

Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24 degrees C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24 degrees C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24 degrees C compared with 21 degrees C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species. We tested how temperature and resource density

Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24 degrees C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24 degrees C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24 degrees C compared with 21 degrees C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species. We tested how temperature and resource density

Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24 degrees C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24 degrees C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24 degrees C compared with 21 degrees C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species. We tested how temperature and resource density

Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24 degrees C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24 degrees C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24 degrees C compared with 21 degrees C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species. We tested how temperature and resource density

Given the rapid response of insects to environmental changes, their most prominent threats may change quickly as well. For effective insect species conservation it is therefore necessary to discriminate between former and current drivers of decline and to focus conservation efforts on the latter. We investigated how various environmental pressures, including former drivers of decline, have affected populations of the regionally endangered damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum and how their relevance has evolved over time. In our analysis, we compared water quality, vegetation properties and population trends across three distinct time spans: 1921–2000, 2001–2015 and 2016–2021. We included all known reproduction sites in the Netherlands, both current and historical, and also considered adjacent sites that were never inhabited. Ponds suitable for the species were characterised by mesotrophic conditions and high coverage of emergent and floating vegetation. Never inhabited ponds differed from inhabited ponds in being either more acidic or more eutrophic. Ponds where C. hastulatum disappeared between 2001 and 2015 had less of the mentioned vegetation structures and higher concentrations of various minerals. Ponds where the species disappeared after 2015 experienced severe droughts during 2018–2020. Most primary threats to C. hastulatum have shifted over time. In the past, changes in human use of ponds and increased sulphur and nitrogen deposition posed prominent threats. Presently, severe droughts, alongside nitrogen deposition have become the dominant concerns. Consequently, restoration of groundwater systems and rewetting measures are now first conservation priorities. Implications for insect conservation: Our study highlights how threats to insect populations can rapidly evolve. Consequently, conservation strategies need regular evaluation and adjustment.

Odonata is a charismatic taxon that has key ecological roles in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Recently, a functional approach, which is based on the concept of “trait”, has received an increasing attention in community ecology because it allows to link biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and conservation targets. In this study, we investigated temporal trends of functional and taxonomic facets of diversity in Odonata assemblages inhabiting ponds within the Regional Park of Montevecchia and Valle del Curone (northern Italy), where a standardised monitoring program has been performed through five years between 2012 and 2019. Moreover, we investigated how functional and taxonomic diversity metrics are linked to vegetation characteristics (relative cover of types of vegetation) at site level. We found stable temporal trends for functional richness, dispersion, evenness, species richness and Shannon’s diversity, while a weak decrease of taxonomic evenness was found. Contribution to functional richness was found to increase as function of the first axis in the functional space (i.e. larger species and fliers). Concerning the effects of vegetation on community diversity, functional richness and dispersion were positively influenced by increasing covers in horsetail (Equisetum) and submerged aquatic vegetation, whilst negatively influenced by cattail cover (Tipha). Sedge cover (Carex) showed a positive effect on functional evenness; riparian shrub vegetation and common reed (Phragmites australis) positively influenced Shannon’s diversity. Overall, these findings suggest that in the study area the assemblages have remained quite stable in terms of both functional and taxonomic diversity, also pointing out how types of vegetation can affect diversity at community level.

Coenagrion castellani Roberts, 1948 was described from Italy as a distinct species almost 75 years ago but has generally not been recognised or was treated as a subspecies of C. mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840). Populations south of the Alps were recently shown to be completely isolated genetically from those in North Africa and elsewhere in Europe. As markings and male appendages also allow for easy separation in the field, C. castellani is best treated as a good species, the 146th odonate species known from Europe and the second one that is endemic to Italy. Its identification and occurrence are reviewed. North African populations are distinct genetically too, but not in morphology. Whether these should be treated as a distinct taxon, e.g. as the subspecies C. mercuriale hermeticum (Selys, 1872), requires further research.

Seventeen years after the publication of the last checklist of the damselflies and dragonflies found in Italy, an updated list has been compiled. This list reports 95 species belonging to 10 families and 38 genera and includes 2 national endemic and 1 sub-endemic species. Compared to the previous checklist, three species were removed, two subspecies were granted species status, and 10 species were added as new taxa for Italy. The checklist summarizes the current state of the knowledge on the geographical distribution of the Italian species with a regional detail. After the online publication of this dataset on the LifeWatch Italy website in 2021, some minor updates will be included in future releases. The newly discovered species are the result of increased exploration of the national territory combined with some possible range shifts, especially of Libellulidae species of Afro-Asiatic origin. This increased coverage of the country is the result of the efforts of many contributors. It stems from the rapidly growing interest in this zoological group, also enhanced by the activation of a nationwide citizen science project promoted by the Italian Society for the Study and Conservation of Dragonflies (Odonata.it).&nbsp

Motivation: Aquatic insects comprise 64% of freshwater animal diversity and are widely used as bioindicators to assess water quality impairment and freshwater ecosystem health, as well as to test ecological hypotheses. Despite their importance, a comprehensive, global database of aquatic insect occurrences for mapping freshwater biodiversity in macroecological studies and applied freshwater research is missing. We aim to fill this gap and present the Global EPTO Database, which includes worldwide geo-referenced aquatic insect occurrence records for four major taxa groups: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata (EPTO). Main type of variables contained: A total of 8,368,467 occurrence records globally, of which 8,319,689 (99%) are publicly available. The records are attributed to the corresponding drainage basin and sub-catchment based on the Hydrography90m dataset and are accompanied by the elevation value, the freshwater ecoregion and the protection status of their location. Spatial location and grain: The database covers the global extent, with 86% of the observation records having coordinates with at least four decimal digits (11.1 m precision at the equator) in the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) coordinate reference system. Time period and grain: Sampling years span from 1951 to 2021. Ninety-nine percent of the records have information on the year of the observation, 95% on the year and month, while 94% have a complete date. In the case of seven sub-datasets, exact dates can be retrieved upon communication with the data contributors. Major taxa and level of measurement: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata, standardized at the genus taxonomic level. We provide species names for 7,727,980 (93%) records without further taxonomic verification. Software format: The entire tab-separated value (.csv) database can be downloaded and visualized at https://glowabio.org/project/epto_database/. Fifty individual datasets are also availab

Damselflies and dragonflies (Order: Odonata) play important roles in both aquatic and terrestrial food webs and can serve as sentinels of ecosystem health and predictors of population trends in other taxa. The habitat requirements and limited dispersal of lotic damselflies make them especially sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation. As such, landscape genomic studies of these taxa can help focus conservation efforts on watersheds with high levels of genetic diversity, local adaptation, and even cryptic endemism. Here, as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), we report the first reference genome for the American rubyspot damselfly, Hetaerina americana, a species associated with springs, streams and rivers throughout California. Following the CCGP assembly pipeline, we produced two de novo genome assemblies. The primary assembly includes 1,630,044,487 base pairs, with a contig N50 of 5.4 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 86.2 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 97.6%. This is the seventh Odonata genome to be made publicly available and the first for the subfamily Hetaerininae. This reference genome fills an important phylogenetic gap in our understanding of Odonata genome evolution, and provides a genomic resource for a host of interesting ecological, evolutionary, and conservation questions for which the rubyspot damselfly genus Hetaerina is an important model system.

BACKGROUND: The rise of insecticide resistance against malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in the need to consider other methods of vector control. The potential use of biological methods, including larvivorous fish, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and plant shading, is sustainable and environmentally friendly options. This study examined the survivorship of Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus larvae and habitat productivity in four permanent habitat types in Homa Bay county, western Kenya. METHODS: Predator densities were studied in a laboratory setup while habitat productivity and larval survivorship was studied in field setup. RESULTS: Fish were observed as the most efficient predator (75.8% larval reduction rate) followed by water boatman (69%), and dragonfly nymph (69.5%) in predation rates. Lower predation rates were observed in backswimmers (31%), water beetles (14.9%), water spiders (12.2%), mayflies (7.3%), and tadpoles (6.9%). Increase in predator density in the field setup resulted in decreased Culex larval density. Larval and pupa age-specific distribution was determined and their survivorship curves constructed. Combined larvae (Stage I-IV) to pupa mortality was over 97% for An. arabiensis and 100% for An. funestus. The highest larval stage survival rate was from larval stages I to II and the lowest from larval stage IV to pupa. Stage-specific life tables indicated high mortality rates at every developmental stage, especially at the larval stage II and III. CONCLUSION: Determination of the efficiency of various larval predators and habitat productivity will help with the correct identification of productive habitats and selection of complementary vector control methods through environmental management and/or predator introduction (for instance fish) in the habitats.

The plateaus and escarpments of Angola are a major centre of Odonata endemism in Africa, rivalling and possibly surpassing the highlands of Ethiopia and South Africa. We discuss 34 likely endemic species and 8 near-endemics found in Angola’s highland area. Remarkably, 20 of these endemics and near-endemics do not occur either along the western escarpment or on the high central plateau, but on the lower sandy plateaus farther east. Despite the western scarp having traditionally received much scientific attention, the first odonatological discoveries were made there only recently. Of the 42 species of interest discussed here, the taxonomy of 21 of them has yet to be fully resolved. Furthermore, many regions, particularly in northeastern Angola, are still to be explored.

Motivation Aquatic insects comprise 64% of freshwater animal diversity and are widely used as bioindicators to assess water quality impairment and freshwater ecosystem health, as well as to test ecological hypotheses. Despite their importance, a comprehensive, global database of aquatic insect occurrences for mapping freshwater biodiversity in macroecological studies and applied freshwater research is missing. We aim to fill this gap and present the Global EPTO Database, which includes worldwide geo-referenced aquatic insect occurrence records for four major taxa groups: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata (EPTO). Main type of variables contained A total of 8,368,467 occurrence records globally, of which 8,319,689 (99%) are publicly available. The records are attributed to the corresponding drainage basin and sub-catchment based on the Hydrography90m dataset and are accompanied by the elevation value, the freshwater ecoregion and the protection status of their location. Spatial location and grain The database covers the global extent, with 86% of the observation records having coordinates with at least four decimal digits (11.1 m precision at the equator) in the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) coordinate reference system. Time period and grain Sampling years span from 1951 to 2021. Ninety-nine percent of the records have information on the year of the observation, 95% on the year and month, while 94% have a complete date. In the case of seven sub-datasets, exact dates can be retrieved upon communication with the data contributors. Major taxa and level of measurement Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata, standardized at the genus taxonomic level. We provide species names for 7,727,980 (93%) records without further taxonomic verification. Software format The entire tab-separated value (.csv) database can be downloaded and visualized at https://glowabio.org/project/epto_database/. Fifty individual datasets are also available at https://f, INCT ADAPTA II funded by CNPq, Amazonas State Research Foundation ‐ FAPEAM, ANID Programa Regional, BIODIVERSA/FAPEAM, Universal/CNPq, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347, CAPES‐Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, FAPEAM‐Program POSGRAD, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004901, INPA/ MCTI http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003545, Leibniz Competition, Leibniz‐Gemeinschaft, National Council of Development for Scientific and Technological Development ‐ CNPq, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, unidade de pesquisa Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações (INPA/MCTI) http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007188, Programa Peixe Vivo of the Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais, Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, Tertiary Education Commission http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100007879, São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001807, Foundation for Science and Technology http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001871, Associate Laboratory ARNET, Principal Investigator CEEC, Peer Reviewed

Coenagrion castellani Roberts, 1948 was described from Italy as a distinct species almost 75 years ago but has generally not been recognised or was treated as a subspecies of C. mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840). Populations south of the Alps were recently shown to be completely isolated genetically from those in North Africa and elsewhere in Europe. As markings and male appendages also allow for easy separation in the field, C. castellani is best treated as a good species, the 146th odonate species known from Europe and the second one that is endemic to Italy. Its identification and occurrence are reviewed. North African populations are distinct genetically too, but not in morphology. Whether these should be treated as a distinct taxon, e.g. as the subspecies C. mercuriale hermeticum (Selys, 1872), requires further research.

Interspecific territoriality has complex ecological and evolutionary consequences. Species that interact aggressively often exhibit spatial or temporal shifts in activity that reduce the frequency of costly encounters. We analyzed data collected over a 13-year period on 50 populations of rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina spp.) to examine how rates of interspecific fighting covary with fine-scale habitat partitioning and to test for agonistic character displacement in microhabitat preferences. In most sympatric species, interspecific fights occur less frequently than expected based on the species’ relative densities. Incorporating measurements of spatial segregation and species discrimination into the calculation of expected frequencies accounted for most of the reduction in interspecific fighting (subtle differences in microhabitat preferences could account for the rest). In 23 of 25 sympatric population pairs, we found multivariate differences between species in territory microhabitat (perch height, stream width, current speed, and canopy cover). As predicted by the agonistic character displacement hypothesis, sympatric species that respond more aggressively to each other in direct encounters differ more in microhabitat use and have higher levels of spatial segregation. Previous work established that species with the lowest levels of interspecific fighting have diverged in territory signals and competitor recognition through agonistic character displacement. In the other species pairs, interspecific aggression appears to be maintained as an adaptive response to reproductive interference, but interspecific fighting is still costly. We now have robust evidence that evolved shifts in microhabitat preferences also reduce the frequency of interspecific fighting.

The insect order Lepidoptera comprises both butterflies and moths. There are over 180,000 Lepidoptera species described, divided into 126 families and 46 superfamilies. 10% of the total number of living creatures described. It is one of the most common and well-known insect orders on the planet. Butterflies are an important category of insects that can function as sensors of environmental change. Butterflies are insects from the order Lepidoptera's macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera. Except for Antarctica, there are around 18,500 species of butterflies. Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that contain all non-butterfly members of the order Lepidoptera, with moths constituting the great bulk of the order. Moths are expected to number over 160,000 species. The majority of moth species are nocturnal, however there are crepuscular and diurnal species as well. Asokapuram is a tiny hamlet located east of Aluva. The current analysis was carried out to identify the Lepidopterans in the area for 6 in diverse habitats surrounding the area. During the inquiry, a total of 46 lepidopterans were noted, 27 of which were recognised, 13 of which were various species of butterflies and the remaining 14 were different species of moths.

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Interspecific territoriality has complex ecological and evolutionary consequences. Species that interact aggressively often exhibit spatial or temporal shifts in activity that reduce the frequency of costly encounters. We analyzed data collected over a 13-year period on 50 populations of rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina spp.) to examine how rates of interspecific fighting covary with fine-scale habitat partitioning and to test for agonistic character displacement in microhabitat preferences. In most sympatric species, interspecific fights occur less frequently than expected based on the species’ relative densities. Incorporating measurements of spatial segregation and species discrimination into the calculation of expected frequencies accounted for most of the reduction in interspecific fighting (subtle differences in microhabitat preferences could account for the rest). In 23 of 25 sympatric population pairs, we found multivariate differences between species in territory microhabitat (perch height, stream width, current speed, and canopy cover). As predicted by the agonistic character displacement hypothesis, sympatric species that respond more aggressively to each other in direct encounters differ more in microhabitat use and have higher levels of spatial segregation. Previous work established that species with the lowest levels of interspecific fighting have diverged in territory signals and competitor recognition through agonistic character displacement. In the other species pairs, interspecific aggression appears to be maintained as an adaptive response to reproductive interference, but interspecific fighting is still costly. We now have robust evidence that evolved shifts in microhabitat preferences also reduce the frequency of interspecific fighting.

Biodiversity is heavily influenced by ongoing climate change, which often results in species undergoing range shifts, either poleward or uphill. Range shifts can occur provided suitable habitats exist within reach. However, poleward latitudinal shifts might be limited by additional abiotic or biotic constraints, such as increased seasonality, photoperiod patterns, and species interactions. To gain insight into the dynamics of insect range shifts at high latitudes, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for 57 Odonata species occurring in northern Europe. We used citizen science data from Sweden and present-day climatic variables covering a latitudinal range of 1,575 km. Then, to measure changes in range and interactions among Odonata species, we projected the ENMs up to the year 2080. We also estimated potential changes in species interactions using niche overlap and co-occurrence patterns. We found that most Odonata species are predicted to expand their range northward. The average latitudinal shift is expected to reach 1.83 and 3.25 km y(-1) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, by 2061-2080. While the most warm-dwelling species may increase their range, our results indicate that cold-dwelling species will experience range contractions. The present-day niche overlap patterns among species will remain largely the same in the future. However, our results predict changes in co-occurrence patterns, with many species pairs showing increased co-occurrence, while others will no longer co-occur because of the range contractions. In sum, our ENM results suggest that species assemblages of Odonata-and perhaps insects in general-in northern latitudes will experience great compositional changes.

Biodiversity is heavily influenced by ongoing climate change, which often results in species undergoing range shifts, either poleward or uphill. Range shifts can occur provided suitable habitats exist within reach. However, poleward latitudinal shifts might be limited by additional abiotic or biotic constraints, such as increased seasonality, photoperiod patterns, and species interactions. To gain insight into the dynamics of insect range shifts at high latitudes, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for 57 Odonata species occurring in northern Europe. We used citizen science data from Sweden and present-day climatic variables covering a latitudinal range of 1,575 km. Then, to measure changes in range and interactions among Odonata species, we projected the ENMs up to the year 2080. We also estimated potential changes in species interactions using niche overlap and co-occurrence patterns. We found that most Odonata species are predicted to expand their range northward. The average latitudinal shift is expected to reach 1.83 and 3.25 km y(-1) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, by 2061-2080. While the most warm-dwelling species may increase their range, our results indicate that cold-dwelling species will experience range contractions. The present-day niche overlap patterns among species will remain largely the same in the future. However, our results predict changes in co-occurrence patterns, with many species pairs showing increased co-occurrence, while others will no longer co-occur because of the range contractions. In sum, our ENM results suggest that species assemblages of Odonata-and perhaps insects in general-in northern latitudes will experience great compositional changes.

Biodiversity is heavily influenced by ongoing climate change, which often results in species undergoing range shifts, either poleward or uphill. Range shifts can occur provided suitable habitats exist within reach. However, poleward latitudinal shifts might be limited by additional abiotic or biotic constraints, such as increased seasonality, photoperiod patterns, and species interactions. To gain insight into the dynamics of insect range shifts at high latitudes, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for 57 Odonata species occurring in northern Europe. We used citizen science data from Sweden and present-day climatic variables covering a latitudinal range of 1,575 km. Then, to measure changes in range and interactions among Odonata species, we projected the ENMs up to the year 2080. We also estimated potential changes in species interactions using niche overlap and co-occurrence patterns. We found that most Odonata species are predicted to expand their range northward. The average latitudinal shift is expected to reach 1.83 and 3.25 km y(-1) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, by 2061-2080. While the most warm-dwelling species may increase their range, our results indicate that cold-dwelling species will experience range contractions. The present-day niche overlap patterns among species will remain largely the same in the future. However, our results predict changes in co-occurrence patterns, with many species pairs showing increased co-occurrence, while others will no longer co-occur because of the range contractions. In sum, our ENM results suggest that species assemblages of Odonata-and perhaps insects in general-in northern latitudes will experience great compositional changes.

Biodiversity is heavily influenced by ongoing climate change, which often results in species undergoing range shifts, either poleward or uphill. Range shifts can occur provided suitable habitats exist within reach. However, poleward latitudinal shifts might be limited by additional abiotic or biotic constraints, such as increased seasonality, photoperiod patterns, and species interactions. To gain insight into the dynamics of insect range shifts at high latitudes, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for 57 Odonata species occurring in northern Europe. We used citizen science data from Sweden and present-day climatic variables covering a latitudinal range of 1,575 km. Then, to measure changes in range and interactions among Odonata species, we projected the ENMs up to the year 2080. We also estimated potential changes in species interactions using niche overlap and co-occurrence patterns. We found that most Odonata species are predicted to expand their range northward. The average latitudinal shift is expected to reach 1.83 and 3.25 km y(-1) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, by 2061-2080. While the most warm-dwelling species may increase their range, our results indicate that cold-dwelling species will experience range contractions. The present-day niche overlap patterns among species will remain largely the same in the future. However, our results predict changes in co-occurrence patterns, with many species pairs showing increased co-occurrence, while others will no longer co-occur because of the range contractions. In sum, our ENM results suggest that species assemblages of Odonata-and perhaps insects in general-in northern latitudes will experience great compositional changes.

Biodiversity is heavily influenced by ongoing climate change, which often results in species undergoing range shifts, either poleward or uphill. Range shifts can occur provided suitable habitats exist within reach. However, poleward latitudinal shifts might be limited by additional abiotic or biotic constraints, such as increased seasonality, photoperiod patterns, and species interactions. To gain insight into the dynamics of insect range shifts at high latitudes, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for 57 Odonata species occurring in northern Europe. We used citizen science data from Sweden and present-day climatic variables covering a latitudinal range of 1,575 km. Then, to measure changes in range and interactions among Odonata species, we projected the ENMs up to the year 2080. We also estimated potential changes in species interactions using niche overlap and co-occurrence patterns. We found that most Odonata species are predicted to expand their range northward. The average latitudinal shift is expected to reach 1.83 and 3.25 km y(-1) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, by 2061-2080. While the most warm-dwelling species may increase their range, our results indicate that cold-dwelling species will experience range contractions. The present-day niche overlap patterns among species will remain largely the same in the future. However, our results predict changes in co-occurrence patterns, with many species pairs showing increased co-occurrence, while others will no longer co-occur because of the range contractions. In sum, our ENM results suggest that species assemblages of Odonata-and perhaps insects in general-in northern latitudes will experience great compositional changes.

Tussen 2012 en 2016 is in de Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen een groot aantal duinpoelen uitgebaggerd om de habitatkwaliteit van open duinwater te verbeteren. Hebben deze werkzaamheden het gewenste resultaat opgeleverd?

The insect order Lepidoptera comprises both butterflies and moths. There are over 180,000 Lepidoptera species described, divided into 126 families and 46 superfamilies. 10% of the total number of living creatures described. It is one of the most common and well-known insect orders on the planet. Butterflies are an important category of insects that can function as sensors of environmental change. Butterflies are insects from the order Lepidoptera's macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera. Except for Antarctica, there are around 18,500 species of butterflies. Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that contain all non-butterfly members of the order Lepidoptera, with moths constituting the great bulk of the order. Moths are expected to number over 160,000 species. The majority of moth species are nocturnal, however there are crepuscular and diurnal species as well. Asokapuram is a tiny hamlet located east of Aluva. The current analysis was carried out to identify the Lepidopterans in the area for 6 in diverse habitats surrounding the area. During the inquiry, a total of 46 lepidopterans were noted, 27 of which were recognised, 13 of which were various species of butterflies and the remaining 14 were different species of moths.

The insect order Lepidoptera comprises both butterflies and moths. There are over 180,000 Lepidoptera species described, divided into 126 families and 46 superfamilies. 10% of the total number of living creatures described. It is one of the most common and well-known insect orders on the planet. Butterflies are an important category of insects that can function as sensors of environmental change. Butterflies are insects from the order Lepidoptera's macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera. Except for Antarctica, there are around 18,500 species of butterflies. Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that contain all non-butterfly members of the order Lepidoptera, with moths constituting the great bulk of the order. Moths are expected to number over 160,000 species. The majority of moth species are nocturnal, however there are crepuscular and diurnal species as well. Asokapuram is a tiny hamlet located east of Aluva. The current analysis was carried out to identify the Lepidopterans in the area for 6 in diverse habitats surrounding the area. During the inquiry, a total of 46 lepidopterans were noted, 27 of which were recognised, 13 of which were various species of butterflies and the remaining 14 were different species of moths.

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Many insects have complex life cycles where a drastic ontogenetic change happens between the larval stages and the adult stage, i.e. metamorphosis. Damselflies (order Odonata, suborder Zygoptera) are widely distributed and ecologically important semi-aquatic insects with a complex life cycle. Phenotypic changes over damselfly ontogeny have been documented, however, if and how metabolite profiles are also changing is currently unknown. Here we used a metabolomics methodology to gain insights into the metabolic changes during the life cycle of the Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum). Hatchlings of wild-caught damselflies were reared in the laboratory and metabolomics analyses using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were carried out at three larval stages and on adult damselflies. Additionally, a subset of larvae was exposed to wastewater effluent to assess how metabolite profiles responded to an environmental stressor. A total of 212 compounds belonging to several classes (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, sugars) were annotated. Across metamorphosis, we found that damselflies shifted from protein catabolism to lipid catabolism. Wastewater effluent exposure resulted in ontogenetic stage-dependent changes of individual metabolites, but not to a marked extent. Overall, our study is one of the first to describe changes of metabolite profiles during ontogeny of an insect, and it provides a first step towards a greater understanding of the physiological changes occurring during general insect—but especially damselfly—ontogeny.

Climate change might affect the distribution of species; therefore, it is important to anticipate the imminent impact of climate change. Even though climate responses have the potential to affect species interactions, most models on the effect of climate change on species distribution assume that species respond to climate individually. Hence studies on competition effects are needed. In this study, I estimated growth, mortality, and behaviour (prey capture success, activity, exploration and boldness) at 20° C and 23° C at intra- and interspecific competition conditions in larvae of a native and a northward dispersing dragonfly. The results showed that the northward expanding Sympetrum fonscolombii had a higher growth and survival rate compared to the native Sympetrum vulgatum at interspecific conditions. At intraspecific conditions the results showed that temperature had no significant effect on the performance of S. fonscolombii, but S. vulgatum showed both a higher growth rate and a higher mortality at 23 ° C. A significant difference between temperatures within prey capture success rate was found in S. vulgatum only, during the second observation period. There was a correlation between activity and exploration in both species, between prey capture success rate and activity during the third observation round in S. vulgatum, and between prey capture success rate and boldness during the first observation round in S. fonscolombii. No other behaviours were correlated. Prey capture success rate was shown to be repeatable in both species, while boldness was repeatable in S. vulgatum only. The behavioural results suggests that behavioural traits are relatively plastic over ontogeny in both species, possibly caused by behavioural variation within each instar. Additionally, boldness, but not activity and exploration, might aid S. fonscolombii in their northward expansion. The majority of these results were similar at both temperatures and indicate that S. fonscolombii has

Sexes often differ in foraging and diet, which is associated with sex differences in size, trophic morphology, use of habitats, and/or life history tactics. Herein, strikingly similar diets were found for adult sexes of a dragonfly (Leucorrhinia intacta), based on comparing 141 dietary taxa identified from the metabarcoding of mitochondrial DNA archived in feces. Arthropods in >5% of samples included five species of dipterans, two hemipterans, two spider species and one parasitic mite. The mite was not traditional prey as its presence was likely due to DNA contamination of samples arising through parasitism or possibly via accidental consumption during grooming, and therefore the mite was excluded from diet characterizations. Common prey species were found with statistically indistinguishable frequencies in male and female diets, with one exception of an aphid more often found in male diets, although this pattern was not robust to corrections for multiple statistical tests. While rare prey species were often found in diets of only one sex, instances of this were more frequent in the more oft-sampled females, suggesting sampling artefact. Sexes did not differ in the mean prey species richness in their diets. Overall, sexes showed statistically indistinguishable diets both on a prey species-by-species basis and in terms of multivariate characterizations of diet composition, derived from presence-absence data of prey species analyzed via PERMANOVA and accumulation curves. Males and females may have similar diets by being both opportunistic and generalist predators of arthropods, using the same foraging habitats and having similar sizes and flight agilities. Notably, similarities in diet between sexes occur alongside large interindividual differences in diet, within sexes. Researchers intending on explaining adaptive sex differences in diet should consider characteristics of species whose sexes show similar diets.

Proceeding global and local environmental changes require innovative conservation concepts and animal model systems which integrate empirical and genomic data. Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are a highly suitable model system for the evaluation of ecosystems and on top hold an evolutionary key position at the base of winged insects. The rapid (r)evolution of genetic methods in the last two decades has allowed the transition of traditional ecological field model systems (which cannot or only with difficulty be kept in the laboratory in contrast to traditional genetic model organisms) to model systems of integrative research. This raises the possibility of closing the gap between ecological factors and their genetic consequences and / or causes. Here, the order Odonata plays a prominent role based on the solid foundation of extensive ecological data and now numerous genetic research approaches for dragonflies. Consequently, the presented dissertation deals with two odonate species with very different ecological niches, almost opposing adaptation strategies and distributional dynamics. These are on the one hand Lestes macrostigma, an endangerd, stenotopic damselfly adapted to temporary, brackish ecosystems with spatially very limited distribution. The other target species is the cosmopolitan, abundant and migratory Pantala flavescens, inhabiting all kinds of temporary waters created by local rains as an ecological generalist. Due to their temporary nature, both habitats are particularly prone to climate change, but they differ significantly in their spatio-temporal occurrence. The resulting different adaptation strategies and distributional dynamics of both species were therefore genetically characterized in this work on (i) temporal, (ii) local and (iii) global levels to compare potential “winners” and “losers” in terms of the current insect extinction and rapidly changing environmental conditions: A long-term local monitoring of a population of L. macrostigma

Kokerjuffers worden standaard meegenomen bij macrofaunabemonsteringen door waterschappen. De kennis over deze groep is dan ook goed. De verrassing was daarom groot toen in 2019 en 2020 de larven van Leptocerus lusitanicus op een groot aantal plekken in Overijssel en Drenthe werden aangetroffen. Deze kokerjuffer was nog niet eerder in ons land gevonden. Gezien de uitbreiding in de omliggende landen, betreft dit een nieuwkomer die zich pas recent in ons land gevestigd heeft.

The first record of Anax parthenope (Sélys, 1839) (Odonata, Aeshnidae) from the province of León (NW Spain) is documented, which remained as the only one in the Castilla y León Autonomous Community from where its ocurrence had not been so far reported., Se documenta la primera observación de Anax parthenope (Sélys, 1839) (Odonata, Aeshnidae) en la provincia de León (NO de España), que permanecía como la única de la Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla y León de donde no había sido citada hasta ahora su presencia.

Genetic and morphological identification of dragonflies' larvae species in three high-elevation Andean tropical lakes was done using DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (COI). Phylogeny allowed inferring the evolutionary relationships of at least five species (from 74 samples) that belong to two different families within the Odonata order.in Spanish is available with online material.

The Odonata are considered among the most endangered freshwater faunal taxa. Their DNA-based monitoring relies on validated reference data sets that are often lacking or do not cover important biogeographical centres of diversification. This study presents the results of a DNA barcoding campaign on Odonata, based on the standard 658-bp 5′ end region of the mitochondrial COI gene, involving the collection of 812 specimens (409 of which barcoded) from peninsular Italy and its main islands (328 localities), belonging to all the 88 species (31 Zygoptera and 57 Anisoptera) known from the country. Additional BOLD and GenBank data from Holarctic samples expanded the data set to 1,294 DNA barcodes. A multi-approach species delimitation analysis involving two distance (OT and ABGD) and four tree-based (PTP, MPTP, GMYC and bGMYC) methods was used to explore these data. Of the 88 investigated morphospecies, 75 (85%) unequivocally corresponded to distinct molecular operational units, whereas the remaining ones were classified as ‘warnings’ (i.e. showing a mismatch between morphospecies assignment and DNA-based species delimitation). These results are in contrast with other DNA barcoding studies on Odonata showing up to 95% of identification success. The species causing warnings were grouped into three categories depending on if they showed low, high or mixed genetic divergence patterns. The analysis of haplotype networks revealed unexpected intraspecific complexity at the Italian, Palearctic and Holarctic scale, possibly indicating the occurrence of cryptic species. Overall, this study provides new insights into the taxonomy of odonates and a valuable basis for future DNA and eDNA-based monitoring studies.

Climate change might affect the distribution of species; therefore, it is important to anticipate the imminent impact of climate change. Even though climate responses have the potential to affect species interactions, most models on the effect of climate change on species distribution assume that species respond to climate individually. Hence studies on competition effects are needed. In this study, I estimated growth, mortality, and behaviour (prey capture success, activity, exploration and boldness) at 20° C and 23° C at intra- and interspecific competition conditions in larvae of a native and a northward dispersing dragonfly. The results showed that the northward expanding Sympetrum fonscolombii had a higher growth and survival rate compared to the native Sympetrum vulgatum at interspecific conditions. At intraspecific conditions the results showed that temperature had no significant effect on the performance of S. fonscolombii, but S. vulgatum showed both a higher growth rate and a higher mortality at 23 ° C. A significant difference between temperatures within prey capture success rate was found in S. vulgatum only, during the second observation period. There was a correlation between activity and exploration in both species, between prey capture success rate and activity during the third observation round in S. vulgatum, and between prey capture success rate and boldness during the first observation round in S. fonscolombii. No other behaviours were correlated. Prey capture success rate was shown to be repeatable in both species, while boldness was repeatable in S. vulgatum only. The behavioural results suggests that behavioural traits are relatively plastic over ontogeny in both species, possibly caused by behavioural variation within each instar. Additionally, boldness, but not activity and exploration, might aid S. fonscolombii in their northward expansion. The majority of these results were similar at both temperatures and indicate that S. fonscolombii has

We assessed the intraspecific morphological variation in Erythrodiplax media Borror 1942 (Odonata, Libellulidae) among grassland physiognomies (“Coastal,”“Highland,” and “Steppic”) in the South Brazilian Campos. We measured six morpholog-ical traits (total body length, thorax height, length, and width of the fore- and hindwings) from 90 specimens (60 males and 45 females). We tested the effect of the grassland type on the set of traits using one-way MANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA) (separately for each sex). Grassland physiognomy affected the morphology of males and females. In both sexes, the PCA mostly opposed the specimens of the Coastal from the Highland and Steppic grasslands. The first PCA axis separated specimens according to body lengths, thorax heights, and wing width, while the second PCA axis opposed specimens according to wing length and thorax height from specimens with broader wings and longer body lengths. Males from the Coastal had longer body lengths and shorter thorax heights than Highland and Steppic grasslands, while males from the Steppic had longer fore- and hindwings than specimens from the Coastal and Highland grasslands. Females from the Coastal had significantly shorter forewings than specimens from the Steppic grasslands and shorter hindwings than Highland grasslands. Our results are likely explained by the differences in climate and habitat complexity among grassland types and indicate that the processes driving odonate performance vary among grassland biotopes. This study potentially indicates that dragonflies are sensitive to changes in the vegetation structure in South American subtropical grasslands. © 2021, Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil., Funding: CAPES (Process #88887.125260/2015-00; PVE 95/2015) and CNPq (Process #307303/2019-5)

Molinia Landmann, BSc, Die Arbeit besteht aus einem Artikel mit dem gleichen Titel, University of Innsbruck, Masterarbeit, 2020, (VLID)5452246

Tropical America is currently experiencing the establishment of a new apex insect predator, the Paleotropical dragonfly Hemianax ephippiger (Odonata: Aeshnidae). H. ephippiger is migratory and is suggested to have colonised the eastern Neotropics by chance Trans-Atlantic displacement. We report the discovery of H. ephippiger at three new locations in the Caribbean, the islands of Bonaire, Isla de Coche (Venezuela), and Martinique, and we review its reported distribution across the Neotropics. We discuss the establishment of H. ephippiger as a new apex insect predator in the Americas, both in terms of ecological implications and the possible provision of ecosystem services. We also provide an additional new species record for Bonaire, Pantala hymenaea (Odonata: Libellulidae).

To understand the diversity and strength of predation in natural communities, researchers must quantify the total amount of prey species in the diet of predators. Metabarcoding approaches have allowed widespread characterization of predator diets with high taxonomic resolution. To determine the wider impacts of predators, researchers should combine DNA techniques with estimates of population size of predators using mark–release–recapture (MRR) methods, and with accurate metrics of food consumption by individuals. Herein, we estimate the scale of predation exerted by four damselfly species on diverse prey taxa within a well-defined 12-ha study area, resolving the prey species of individual damselflies, to what extent the diets of predatory species overlap, and which fraction of the main prey populations are consumed. We identify the taxonomic composition of diets using DNA metabarcoding and quantify damselfly population sizes by MRR. We also use predator-specific estimates of consumption rates, and independent data on prey emergence rates to estimate the collective predation pressure summed over all prey taxa and specific to their main prey (non-biting midges or chironomids) of the four damselfly species. The four damselfly species collectively consumed a prey mass equivalent to roughly 870 (95% CL 410–1,800) g

Aquatic insects comprise 10% of all insect diversity, can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and are key components of freshwater ecosystems. However, aquatic insect genome biology lags dramatically behind that of terrestrial insects. If genomic effort was spread evenly, one aquatic insect genome would be sequenced for every ~9 terrestrial insect genomes. Instead, ~24 terrestrial insect genomes have been sequenced for every aquatic insect genome. This discrepancy is even more dramatic if the quality of genomic resources is considered; for instance, while no aquatic insect genome has been assembled to the chromosome level, 29 terrestrial insect genomes spanning four orders have. We argue that a lack of aquatic insect genomes is not due to any underlying difficulty (e.g., small body sizes or unusually large genomes), yet it is severely hampering aquatic insect research at both fundamental and applied scales. By expanding the availability of aquatic insect genomes, we will gain key insight into insect diversification and empower future research for a globally important taxonomic group.

Trithemis kirbyi ardens (Gerstäcker, 1891), Ceriagrion tenellum (Villers, 1789), and Anax parthenope (Sélys, 1839) (Insecta, Odonata), are recorded from Salar de los Canos, a salt wetland in Vera, Almería (SE Iberian Peninsula). The Odonata checklist of that salt wetland is also provided., Se registran Trithemis kirbyi ardens (Gerstäcker, 1891), Ceriagrion tenellum (Villers, 1789) y Anax parthenope (Sélys, 1839) (Insecta, Odonata) del Salar de los Canos, una laguna salada en Vera (Almería) (SE de la Península Ibérica). Se aporta también el catálogo de odonatos de dicha laguna.

The 3rd and the 2nd provincial records, respectively, of the dragonflies Brachythemis impartita (Karsch, 1890) and Trithemis kirbyi Sélys, 1891 for the province of Salamanca (central-western Spain) are reported., Se publican, respectivamente, la tercera y segunda cita provincial, de los odonatos Brachythemis impartita (Karsch, 1890) y Trithemis kirbyi Sélys, 1891 en la provincia de Salamanca (Castilla y León).

A high count of Lestes macrostigma (Eversmann, 1836) (Odonata: Lestidae) in the restored wetland of Junta de los Ríos, province of Ciudad Real, in June 2019, is reported. An assessment of the water conditions and vegetation associated with this species during the study period is provided. Information on the accompanying odonatofauna in the wetland is also included., Se publica un conteo elevado de Lestes macrostigma (Eversmann, 1836) (Odonata: Lestidae) en el humedal restaurado de la Junta de los Ríos, provincia de Ciudad Real, en junio de 2019. Se aporta una valoración de las condiciones hídricas y de la vegetación asociada a esta especie durante el período de estudio. Así mismo se incluye información sobre la odonatofauna acompañante en el humedal.

Insects are reportedly experiencing widespread declines, but we generally have sparse data on their abundance. Correcting this shortfall will take more effort than professional entomologists alone can manage. Volunteer nature enthusiasts can greatly help to monitor the abundance of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), iconic freshwater sentinels and one of the few nonpollinator insect groups appreciated by the public and amenable to citizen science. Although counting individual odonates is common in some locations, current data will not enable a global perspective on odonate abundance patterns and trends. Borrowing insight from butterfly monitoring efforts, we outline basic plans for a global volunteer network to count odonates, including organizational structure, advertising and recruiting, and data collection, submission, and synthesis. We hope our proposal serves as a catalyst for richer coordinated efforts to understand population trends of odonates and other insects in the Anthropocene. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Institute of Biological Sciences.