Diurnal changes in perching sites and low mobility of adult Mortonagrion hirosei asahina inhabiting understory of dense reed community (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Shifts between perching sites, the flying behaviour as well as reproductive behaviour of adults were observed. All marked individuals inhabiting the dense reed community floor were followed from sunrise to sunset. Simultaneous observation was carried out by approximately 20 researchers. Every adult, sexually immature and mature, perched at 20 cm above the water surface within the reed community. For immature adults, about 120 flight activities were performed per day. The accumulated length of the movement was 9 m per day. When matured, the number of flight activities increased two-fold and the total length of the movement was 27 m per day. Although this sp. is a percher, showing little movement, increased flight activity by mature individuals caused encounters between individuals, hovering face-to-face. Few tandem flights were observed and female female oviposited alone. The behaviour traits of this sp. at low light intensity are discussed.