Emergence and adult behaviour of Macromia splendens (Pictet) in Galicia, northwestern Spain (Anisoptera : Corduliidae)

Exuviae were found in sheltered places, most commonly in small cavities und er the river banks. The species is able to breed in hydroelectric reservoir s that show marked changes in water level and where riverine vegetation is completely absent. At these places exuviae were found on dead trunks and bi g rocks, usually in a horizontal upside-down position. In the laboratory, e mergence followed the typical aeshnid sequence. Adult, full coloured males showed no yellow spots on abdominal segments 5 and 6, while the spots on se gments 4 and 7 were widely variable. 37 adult males of a natural population at the river Lerez were marked. Of these, 12 were resighted 1 to 14 days a fter marking. Males patrolled over 50-150 m of the river, usually flying st raight about 30 cm above the water. Females were observed at the river on 2 1 occasions, and in 19 cases oviposited as soon as they arrived at water. H owever, mating was recorded only once during 52 h of observation over 18 da ys. Two more matings were obtained with a tethered female. Since matings at the oviposition sites seem to be rare, it is suggested that copulation is performed mainly at the feeding places. Eggs were scattered by the unaccomp anied female by dipping the abdomen 3-10 times for no more than 2 min, in s pots of the river as far as 1 m from each other. The importance of forested areas for conservation of this species is discussed.