Longevity of three libellulid dragonflies under semi-natural conditions (Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

The longevity of Palpopleura lucia lucia (Drury), Acisoma panorpoides inflatum Sel. and Urothemis assignata Sel. were studied in an outdoor enclosure. All the adults of the 3 spp. used in the study emerged from an inner water cage within the outdoor enclosure. All the U. assignata individuals died within 6 days (66 4.36 ± 1.50, 99 4.46 i 1.41 days) of emergence. The life span of P. l. lucia individuals ranged from 1 to 52 days (66 15.81 ± 12.67, 99 17.85 ± 20.08 days), while in A. p. inflatum, longevity ranged from 1 to 61 days (66 26.30 ± 19.93, 99 26.80 ± 19.54 days). The results obtained for the 2 latter spp. are comparable to the durations recorded for marked individuals of the same species used for territoriality study in the field.