Publisher : Biodiversity Journal
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2017
Thematic : Species
Language : English
Note
Oviposition in Italian populations of Sympecma paedisca (Brauer, 1877) (Odonata Lestidae)
was observed for the first time. This species is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Mediterranean
Basin and as Critically Endangered (CR) in Italy. Several ovipositing tandems were observed
for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, from the 17th of May to the 10th of June, in the “Riserva
Naturale Orientata della Baraggia di Candelo†(=Heathlands Oriented Natural Reserve) (North
Piedmont), a protected area and a military zone too, in a pond at the edge of the heathland.
Oviposition substrates are vertical living Juncus effusus L. stems, preferably the isolated ones
or those on the external side of the tufts, rather than inside them; eggs are laid about 20 to 50
cm above the water level. In the heathland, around the breeding site, tens of adults were seen
every autumn and winter, also in December and January sunny days. Reproductive S. paedisca
were also occasionally observed in other two localities, namely the lake of Viverone and the
“Riserva Naturale Orientata Palude di Casalbeltrame†(= Casalbeltrame Fen Oriented Natural
Reserve). Notes on breeding behaviour and a description of both breeding and overwintering
area of S. paedisca are provided, since knowledge of its breeding and overwintering sites is
needed to ensure their protection and therefore the conservation of Italian populations of this
damselfly.
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Keywords : culture
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
