Postcopulatory Behavior in Libellula pulchella Drury (Odonata: Libellulidae) and Female Tactics for Avoiding Male Interference with Oviposition

Postcopulatory behavior was studied in Libellula pulchella, a North American dragonfly in which ovipositing females face frequent harassment by unpaired males seeking matings. Although males performed noncontact guarding of their mates after copulation, females received minimal protection since their guarders tended to leave on extended chases of other males when harassment was intense. Ovipositions by unguarded females were even more likely to be terminated by harassment and were disrupted sooner. Female tactics to minimize interference included rapid escape flights, repeated return visits to the water within short time periods, perching when severerly harassed, and proceeding with mating when clasped. Female use of multiple oviposition sites is discussed in the context of guarding effectiveness and mate recognition by males.