Temperature-driven shifts in foraging behaviour during larval development in a dragonfly

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Predatory performance in dragonfly larvae is complex, influenced by environmental factors and individual traits.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for predicting foraging dynamics and ecological interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relative impact of temperature, prey density, competition, and life history traits on the predatory behavior of Sympetrum striolatum larvae.
• To determine the ontogenetic effects on foraging performance.

Main Methods:

• Larvae were observed over five weeks under varying temperatures and prey densities, with/without competitors.
• Larvae were reared from hatching, with size measurements taken before each trial to assess ontogenetic effects.

Main Results:

• Higher temperatures and prey density significantly increased prey-capture behavior, especially in younger, smaller larvae.
• Life history traits (age, size) had a stronger influence on strikes, captures, and capture success than external factors like prey density or competition.

Conclusions:

• Ontogeny plays a critical role in shaping foraging performance in dragonfly larvae.
• Future models predicting foraging behavior should integrate life history traits alongside environmental variables.
• Integrating developmental biology is essential for understanding behavioral responses to environmental change.