Volatile cues can drive the oviposition behavior in Odonata

• The role of olfactory cues during oviposition in Odonata is overlooked.
• The use of olfaction in oviposition by I. elegans was tested in choice assays.
• I. elegans prefers to oviposit in larval rearing water than in distilled water.
• Female EAG response was stimulated by rearing water.
• I. elegans may rely on conspecific or food odor for oviposition site selection.

Selection for the oviposition site represents the criterion for the behavioral process of habitat selection for the next generation. It is well known that in Odonata the most general cues are detected visually, but laboratory investigations on the coenagrionid Ischnura elegans showed through behavioral and electrophysiological assays that adults were attracted by olfactory cues emitted by prey and that males of the same species are attracted by female odor.The results of the present behavioral and electrophysiological investigations on I. elegans suggest the involvement of antennal olfactory sensilla in oviposition behavior. In particular, I. elegans females laid in the laboratory significantly more eggs in water from larval rearing aquaria than in distilled or tap water. Moreover, the lack of preference between rearing water and tap water with plankton suggests a role of volatiles related to conspecific and plankton presence in the oviposition site choice. I. elegans may rely on food odor for oviposition site selection, thus supporting the predictions of the “mother knows best” theory. These behavioral data are partially supported by electroantennographic responses. These findings confirm a possible role of olfaction in crucial aspects of Odonata biology.

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