Shy–bold behaviours in dragonfly larvae: syndromes or personality?

Abstract

Abstract Researchers have recently focused efforts on the study of animal personality and behavioural syndromes, exploring consistent behaviour variations and correlations. Dragonflies, with their diverse behaviours, have become good models to improve our knowledge on animal behaviour. Here, we addressed whether dragonfly larvae exhibit shy–bold behaviours, akin to personality traits or behavioural syndromes. We made a series of experiments where we restrained larvae and noted their behaviour — some larvae exhibited thanatosis, playing dead when touched, while others boldly reacted with aggression. Later, we tested how active the larvae were in a water channel by analysing their movement. These experiments were made in three trials with 15 days apart. Our results show that larvae display consistent behaviours over time, hence, they exhibit personalities in terms of predator avoidance behaviour. Nevertheless, we found little evidence for behavioural syndromes. The boldness of larvae was only partially correlated with larval activity in the experimental channel. In conclusion, dragonflies emerge as a potential model for insect personality, prompting future studies on how cognition and personality impact fitness in different environments. Unravelling whether behavioural syndromes are a true phenomenon in these insects awaits further investigation.