Intraspecific interactions of New Zealand damselfly larvae I.Xanthocnemis zealandica, Ischnura aurora, andAustrolestes colensonis(Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae: Lestidae)

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Abstract
Ethograms of intraspecific agonistic behaviours are presented for middle (6–8th) and late (12–14th) instar larvae of Xanthocnemis zealandica. Approximately 25 acts occur, a number comparable to the maximum repertoire sizes recorded for vertebrates and social insects, notwithstanding the absence of displays associated with reproductive activity in this insect larva. The behaviours of the territorial larvae of this species are compared with ethograms prepared from less extensive observations on the nonterritorial larvae of Ischnura aurora and Austrolestes colensonis. Both coenagrionid species used similar motor patterns in their displays; the lestid display involved a different motor pattern.