Consequences of larval ecology for territoriality and reproductive success of a neotropical damselfly

Male territorial behavior and female oviposition behavior of Megaloprepus coerulatus, a damselfly that develops in water-filled tree holes, is interpreted in light of its larval ecology. Sexual selection favors large males because they win more territorial contests than do smaller males, and females mate only in the vicinity of defended tree holes (i.e.,passive female choice). Small males behave as territory holders until displaced, and/or act as subordinate satellites at large territories. Females are more predictably found in forest light gaps, even though they oviposit in both gap and understory tree holes. Males defended only 14% of the sites used by ovipositing females. Large tree holes are relatively rare, but support a greater number of emerging adults per season and produce larger adults than tree holes containing @