Observations on the Territoriality of a Dozen of Dragonflies Related to Pond and Canal Water

Dragonflies depend on water and/or aquatic plants for their larval life, while adults show interesting territorial behaviour on aquatic weeds. In the present communication, observations on the territoriality of a dozen of dragonflies habitating in temporary small pond at Barakashipur Forest of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal (JL No. 53, Area 31.7644 ha, External boundary 4.400 km, under Raiganj WLS, Uttar Dinajpur Dist.) and a 300 meter away rain water fed canal from river Atrai (distributary of river Teesta) were made for an year only. Ditch Jewels are noticed to chase and dislocate Ruddy Meadow Skimmers from aquatic vegetation. Common Club Tails do not allow Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Green Marsh Hawk on the highest tip of aquatic twigs, though the latter accommodate in the lower tiers of the same twig. Yellow Tail Ashy Skimmer roams about all along the territory with other dragonflies and preferably rest on stick like vegetation on marshy bodies. Trumpet Tails and Little Blue Marsh Hawk occupy the central and/or peripheral part of the canal after the Ditch Jewels vacate it, owing to higher fuviatility of the water. Greater Crimson Gliders inhabited the periphery of the canal water but prefers to work on the long grasses and leaf lamina of large foliage in the aquatic body. Common Picture Wing is low fier, peace preferring dragonfly living on non-central of this aquatic body. Fulvous Forest Skimmer and Yellow Tail Ashy Skimmer are friendly in roaming, while the former work on dried benthic vegetation and rest on twig tip. Rufous Marsh Gliders are active in degraded water bodies. These carnivorous (sometimes cannibalistic) insects survive by avoiding competition through territoriality.