Aquatic insects; Fresh water; Habitats; Insect flight; Ponds; Population size; Statistical dispersion; Terrestrial environments

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between population dynamics of the threatened species Sympetrum depressiusculum at its natal site and its dispersal behaviour or routine movements within its terrestrial home range. We used a mark-release-recapture method (marking 2,881 adults) and exuviae collection with the Jolly-Seber model and generalized linear models. Results show that utilisation of terrestrial habitat patches by adults is not random and may be relatively long term (3 mo). Adult dragonflies were present only in areas with dense vegetation that provided sufficient resources; the insects were absent from active agricultural patches (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate that even a species tightly linked to its natal site utilises an area that is several orders of magnitude larger than the natal site. Negative trends in the occurrence of various dragonflies may be associated not only with disturbances to their aquatic habitats, but also with changes in the terrestrial landscape.

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between population dynamics of the threatened species Sympetrum depressiusculum at its natal site and its dispersal behaviour or routine movements within its terrestrial home range. We used a mark-release-recapture method (marking 2,881 adults) and exuviae collection with the Jolly-Seber model and generalized linear models. Results show that utilisation of terrestrial habitat patches by adults is not random and may be relatively long term (3 mo). Adult dragonflies were present only in areas with dense vegetation that provided sufficient resources; the insects were absent from active agricultural patches (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate that even a species tightly linked to its natal site utilises an area that is several orders of magnitude larger than the natal site. Negative trends in the occurrence of various dragonflies may be associated not only with disturbances to their aquatic habitats, but also with changes in the terrestrial landscape.