Agonistic behaviour in final-instar larvae of Agriocnemis pygmaea (Odonata : Coenagrionidae)

Abstract

Larval agonistic displays are reported from Agriocnemis pygmaea, a small coenagrionid damselfly. Twenty-five major displays were distinguished. The behavioural repertoire of A. pygmaea is broadly consistent with published information on other coenagrionid larvae. The 'abdomen lift' behaviour, largely restricted to smaller instars of other examined species, occurs with some frequency in final-instar A. pygmaea. The use of larval agonistic display characters in phylogenetic analysis is discussed.