Mate guarding and other aspects of reproductive behaviour in Petalura gigantea (Odonata: Petaluridae)

Territorial behaviour and mate guarding are important components of mating systems in various insect groups, including the Odonata. This paper reports observations of male territorial behaviour associated with potential ovipositing sites, and postcopulatory, non-contact mate guarding in Petalura gigantea. This is the first unambiguous and detailed report of mate guarding in the Petaluridae. Additional observations of previously undocumented aspects of reproductive behaviour are also reported. These observations are compared with other petalurids.