Damselflies (Coenagrionidae) have been avoiding leaf veins during oviposition for at least 52 million years

• Published in: iScience Vol. 26; no. 6; p. 106865
• Main Authors: Romero-Lebrón, Eugenia, Fernández-Monescillo, Marcos, Matushkina, Natalia, Delclòs, Xavier, Gleiser, Raquel M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 16.06.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Entomology; Evolutionary biology; Paleobiology; Evolutionary biology; Entomology; Paleobiology
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106865

Plant-insect interactions can provide extremely valuable information for reconstructing the oviposition behavior. We have studied about 1350 endophytic egg traces of coenagrionid damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera) from the Eocene, identifying triangular or drop-shaped scars associated with them. This study aims to determine the origin of these scars. Our behavioral study of about 1,800 endophytic eggs from recent coenagrionids indicates that these scars were caused by ovipositor incisions, but without egg insertion. The scar correlates (χ2-test) with leaf veins in both fossil and extant species. We infer that a female would detect the proximity of a leaf vein and avoid egg-laying, generating a scar that also fossilizes. For the first time, a scar produced by the ovipositor has been identified, indicating the existence of undesirable areas for oviposition. Accordingly, we recognize that Coenagrionidae damselflies (narrow-winged damselflies or pond damselflies) have been avoiding leaf veins for at least 52 million years. [Display omitted] •“Complete oviposition” and “interrupted oviposition” are defined for the first time•Coenagrionidae can detect leaf veins with ovipositor and avoid laying eggs in those cases•Leaf veins may influence egg location, but do not affect the curved oviposition pattern•Coenagrionidae have been performing this behavior for at least 52 million years Entomology; Evolutionary biology; Paleobiology