Fitness-consequences of foraging behavior in an insect predator (Odonata: Zygoptera)

Theory predicts that the ability of animals to acquire food determines their survival and reproductive success. Empirical studies have shown that this prediction is valid for both sexes, but most of these studies have been conducted under laboratory conditions. Here, we studied whether behavioral components of foraging behavior are predictors of survival probability and reproductive success in both males and females of a wild population of a territorial damselfly (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis Vander Linden). We hypothesized that the rate of predation success (foraging efficiency) is positively correlated with these fitness components. We performed behavioral surveys in foraging patches, and conducted daily capture-mark-recapture throughout the flight season of the damselfly to estimate how foraging behavior (rate of predation attempt, consumption, and efficiency) influences survival probability and the number of reproductive events. Our results showed that females showed a higher rate of predation attempts and prey consumption, but both sexes showed similar predation success rates. Cormack-Jolly-Seber models showed that survival was best predicted by a positive relationship with the rate of predation attempts rather than the rate of prey consumption and predation success. Likewise, the multistate model predicted that the transition probability to a reproductive state was positively correlated with the rate of predation attempts but not with predation success. Interestingly, these patterns were consistent for both males and females. Our findings did not corroborate our prediction that foraging efficiency predicts important fitness components, but rather documented a relationship with other energy-demanding behavioral traits. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary significance of these findings.