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Shade Alone Reduces Adult Dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae) Abundance

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Abstract

We demonstrate that physical habitat conditions influence adult dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera) riparian site selection. In naturally treeless riparian areas of South Africa, invasive trees create shade and reduce native vegetation. We hypothesized that most breeding odonates select riparian areas (1) without shade, and (2) with high density and variety of understory perch structures. In two experiments at reservoir shorelines, we varied shade and perch structures. Dragonfly abundances (predominantly Trithemis species) were lower at sites with high (75%) or moderate (55%) shade cover than at sites with no shade, and lower at bare sand sites than sites containing stick perches. Perch density and variety (variety of heights and diameters) did not affect dragonfly abundance. These results indicate that shade alone directly reduces dragonfly habitat selection, isolating one aspect of habitat change that can alter insect behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

G. Wright and the staff of Vergelegen offered invaluable support and access to a large natural area currently undergoing restoration. Thanks to M.G. Turner, J.B. Zedler, C. Gratton, A.R. Ives, S.R. Carpenter, B. Peckarsky, and two anonymous readers for careful reviews of the manuscript. Funding was provided by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awarded to the primary author. The Stellenbosch University Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology supplied material and logistical support.

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  1. Alysa J. Remsburg

    Present address: Unity College, Unity, ME, 04988, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, 430 Lincoln Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Alysa J. Remsburg

  2. Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Anders C. Olson

  3. Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, P/Bag X1, 7602, Matieland, South Africa

    Michael J. Samways

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  1. Alysa J. Remsburg
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  2. Anders C. Olson
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Correspondence to Alysa J. Remsburg.

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Remsburg, A.J., Olson, A.C. & Samways, M.J. Shade Alone Reduces Adult Dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae) Abundance. J Insect Behav 21, 460–468 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-008-9138-z

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