Predatory luring behavior of odonates.

Organisms in the order Odonata are highly predatory insects that have a wide distribution globally. To date, there has been zero evidence that odonates employ luring as a means of prey acquisition. However, in this study, we show that Aeshna palmata larvae use abdominal movements to lure larval Argia vivida, subsequently consuming the lured organism. We also present findings of a similar behavior from larval Ar. vivida in an attempt to lure larval A. palmata within striking distance.

Predatory luring is a behavior that one organism employs (the predator) to attract another organism (the prey) that is presumed consumable to the predator. Some organisms present a lure that resembles prey. If the predatory luring is successful, the potential prey perceive the stimulus as a food item and approach the predator more closely than they might without the stimulus ( Reiserer 2002 , Hansknecht 2008 ). Examples of these predatory lures include lingual luring by the mangrove saltmarsh snake ( Nerodia clarkia compressicauda ; Hansknecht 2008 ), the dorsal fin of anglerfishes ( Pietsch and Grobecker 1978 ), the tongue of Alligator Snapping Turtles ( Macroclemys temminckii ; Drummond and Gordon 1979 ), and the toes of some anurans ( Radcliffe et al. 1986 , Hagman and Shine 2008 ). All of the systems in which lures are used and the predator benefits (by ultimately consuming prey that were enticed by a ‘mimic’) have been termed aggressive mimicry ( Vane-Wright 1976 ). Caudal luring, a type of aggressive mimicry, as documented in snakes ( Farrell et al. 2011 ) can be characterized by two distinct qualities: 1) the tail tip is moved in a manner that resembles potential prey and 2) the tail tip is a contrasting color from the body of the predator.

Organisms of the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are highly predatory insects that are found throughout the world. Substantial data exist on the predatory nature of adult dragonflies, as well as the behavioral modifications of odonate larvae when in the presence of potential predators or other nonpredatory odonates ( McPeek 1998 , Schaffner and Anholt 1998 , Corbet 1999 , Stoks et al. 2003 , McGuffin et al. 2006 , Strobbe et al. 2011 ). However, there are no reports of larval odonates using predatory luring to entice potential prey within striking distance. Here, we describe predatory luring by both dragonfly ( Aeshna palmata ) and damselfly ( Argia vivida ) larvae. This report involves organisms not previously known to lure prey.

Materials and Methods

Larvae were collected opportunistically from Tammany Creek, Nez Perce Co., ID (46° 21.51.51 N, 117° 03.32.05 W), a perennial, undammed creek approximately 1–3 m in width and roughly 10 km in length. Tammany Creek drains into the Snake River approximately 770 km from the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers.

We surveyed the study area (∼1 km in length) on foot and collected odonates by drag net from 15 February 2012 to 12 March 2012. Upon collection, larvae were transported to Lewis-Clark State College and housed in 50-ml plastic vials with a 3-mm-diameter dowel for perching. Larvae were measured with a millimeter rule for total body length and head width and maintained on a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h cycle at an ambient air temperature of 22°C. The range of sizes of Ar. vivida and A. palmata at this locality during time of collection were Ar. vivida head 2–4.5 mm, body 6–19 mm; A. palmata head 4–8 mm, body 23–35 mm. Ar. vivida were fed one shrimp (order Mysidae) three times per week. A.palmata were fed two shrimp 3 times/week. Water was changed after each feeding. Filtered water was used for all housing and experiments.

Behavior trials were conducted in 250-ml containers with filtered tap water and a singular 3-mm-diameter perch. Water was changed and containers were cleaned before each trial. One shrimp was placed in the container, as alternative prey, 1 min after simultaneously placing both odonates in the container. Trials were conducted for 7 min and all behaviors recorded. The ranges of sizes of Ar. vivida and A. palmata used in behavior trials were Ar. vivida head 3–4 mm, body 11–17 mm; A. palmata head 4–8 mm, body 23–35 mm.

To evaluate whether the observed behaviors were species specific, we tested A. palmata and Ar. vivida and conspecifics. Eighteen A. palmata versus Ar. vivida trials were conducted with randomly chosen animals. Animals used in congeneric trials (not diagrammed) were matched for total body length as closely as possible (31 Ar. vivida vs Ar. vivida and 12  A. palmata versus A. palmata ) .

Results

In five trials of A. palmata versus Ar. vivida , a previously undescribed luring behavior was observed by either A. palmata or Ar. vivida but never both in the same trial. In all trials that luring behavior was demonstrated, the A. palmata attempted, unsuccessfully, to capture the shrimp prior to the luring behavior. Luring behavior was initiated only when the odonates had entered into the field of view of one another. Once the A. palmata and Ar. vivida had oriented toward each other, a brief period (∼30–60 s) of no visible movement ensued. In four of five trials A. palmata lured Ar. vivida . The following sequence of events was observed in each trial ( Fig. 1 ).

Fig. 1.

(A–D) Sequence of points in luring abdominal movement by A. palmata during A. palmata (large) versus Ar. vivida (small) trial. Not illustrated, A. palmata strike and subsequent consumption of Ar. vivida.

Abdominal movement to the side and exposure of the abdomen of A. palmata to Ar. vivida . Duration of this movement ranged from 2 to 3 s ( Fig. 1 A).

Ar. vivida changed position to place the abdomen of A. palmata directly in the field of view ( Fig. 1 B).

Rapid lateral movement of the abdomen of A. palmata toward Ar. vivida . This behavior consisted of 7–10 movements of the abdomen within approximately 2 s ( Fig. 1 C).

Ar. vivida changed orientation toward the luring abdomen ( Fig. 1 D).

palmata struck at the head of Ar. vivida and began consumption of Ar. vivida .

One instance of Ar. vivida luring A. palmata was observed. The following sequence of events details that observation ( Fig. 2 ).

Fig. 2.

(A–D) Sequence of points in abdominal luring behavior by Ar. vivida during A. palmata (large) versus Ar. vivida (small) trial. Not illustrated, Ar. vivida strike and subsequent retreat of A. palmata.

Initial abdominal movement to the side and exposure of the abdomen of Ar. vivida to A. palmata. Duration of this movement was approximately 8 s ( Fig. 2 A).

The abdomen was then fully moved to the opposite side of the body in a slow motion (∼2 s) and held on the other side of the body for approximately 8 s ( Fig. 2 B).

palmata changed orientation from the head of Ar. vivida to the abdomen of the predatory Ar. vivida ( Fig. 2 B).

Step 2 was repeated to the initial side of luring. At this point, Ar. vivida was slowly moving toward A.palmate ( Fig. 2 C).

Ar . vivida positioned its abdomen directly behind its head and slowly continued movement toward head of A. palmata . A. palmata slowly moved toward the abdomen of Ar. Vivida ( Fig. 2 D).

Ar. vivida attempted to capture A. palmata at its head.

Upon being struck, A. palmata slowly retreated.

Ar. vivida continued attempts at luring A. palmata , with rapid abdominal movements to the initial side for approximately 5 s. While luring, Ar. vivida slowly approached the retreating A. palmata.

The sequence was broken as A. palmata used abdominal thrusts to propel itself away and over Ar. vivida.

In the other 13 of 18 A. palmata versus Ar. vivida trials, no instances of luring were observed. In 7 of 18 trials, A. palmata actively pursued the shrimp prey item, catching and consuming the prey without attacking the Ar. vivida . During these trials, the Ar. vivida positioned itself at the bottom of the chamber and remained motionless for the entirety of the trial. Four of 18 trials resulted in both the A. palmata and the Ar. vivida pursuing the prey. In all of these trials, the A. palmata captured and consumed the prey and subsequently struck at Ar. vivida following consumption of the prey regardless of the orientation of Ar. vivida . One trial resulted in Ar. vivida attempting to consume the prey item after the A. palmata had caught and began consumption. In this instance, the Ar. vivida was consumed by the A. palmata following consumption of the prey. In one trial, Ar. vivida actively attacked and consumed the prey, and A. palmata remained motionless in the chamber. In every congeneric trial (31 Ar. vivida versus Ar. vivida , 12 A. palmata versus A. palmata ), there were no instances of attack, luring, or attempted consumption of the congeneric by either animal.

Discussion

In our trials, luring occurred only when a head-to-head orientation was present. This is the same orientation described in the well-known agonistic behavior of many larval odonates ( Corbet 1999 ). However, in contrast to previously described agonistic behaviors, predatory luring occurred between different odonate families with a different repertoire of movements ( Figs. 1 and 2 ) and typically ended in consumption of the prey. In trials where luring was not displayed, there was no sustained head-to-head orientation. A caudal attack by either species typically resulted in one of two possible scenarios: 1) removal of lamellae of Ar. vivida and subsequent retreat and avoidance of further attack by prey and 2) prey being grasped and subsequent retaliatory bites and aggression resulting in injury to the predator (E.M., personal observations). These two scenarios, we believe, are the reasons for the head-to-head orientation that has been demonstrated as critical for the luring to occur. The caudal luring by the predator caused the lured individual to change orientation slightly to ensure that a successful attack was achieved.

The sequence of motions exhibited during the luring behavior was consistent across all trials. The exaggerated slow swaying of the caudal region caused the lured individual to change orientation. The subsequent rapid movements of the caudal region resembled that of the preferred prey in this environment, the freshwater shrimp, which further provoked the lured individual to investigate. The movement of the lured individual from the head-to-head orientation to the more vulnerable position of focusing on the lure provided the predator an opportunity to strike at the prey. We believe that more instances of predatory luring would have been observed had the time duration of the trials been longer than 7 min.

The one instance of Ar. vivida luring A. palmata is of interest. All animals used in the trials were naïve, not having been involved in any trials previously. We cannot comment on the experience of the animals in the field before capture; however, all animals were housed individually for 3 weeks before trials were conducted. The luring demonstrated by Ar. vivida , even though consumption was not achieved (although a strike at the head of the much larger A. palmata did occur), may indicate that this behavior can be used in situations other than predation. It is possibly used to demonstrate aggressiveness to ward off potential predators. Although the behavior demonstrated by Ar. vivida is similar to the agonistic behavior of other Coenagrionidaen odonates (Rowe 1992), several differences exist. 1) The behavior is not directed toward a congeneric. 2) The repertoire of movements is not congruent with those previously described. 3) The behavior displayed by Ar. vivida to physically lure the larger A. palmata close to the Ar. vivida’s abdomen so a successful strike can be delivered ( Fig. 2 ). Testing Ar. vivida versus Ar. vivida with mismatched sizes and Ar. vivida versus A. palmata with closely matched sizes will help elucidate whether this behavior is predatory or used to ward off potential predators.

The morphology of Ar. vivida may play a significant role in the predatory luring exhibited by A. palmata . Ar. vivida morphology closely resembles that of small A. palmata . Although there was no luring of A. palmata by other A. palmata, similarity of Ar. vivida to A. palmata may influence the predatory attack of A. palmata . The possibility of predation by a congeneric may induce the larger dragonfly to lure the smaller but morphologically similar damselfly to a position in which a fatal attack is much easier and much more likely. The range of sizes of Ar. vivida and A. palmata at this locale creates the possibility that large larvae are likely to encounter smaller conspecifics.