Latitudinal variation in behaviour in a damselfly

We studied behavioural traits and behavioural correlations in larvae of a
univoltine damselfly, Lestes sponsa, along its latitudinal distribution,
spreading over 3300 km. We compared behavioural profiles among larvae
grown either in native temperatures and photoperiods or averaged constant
temperatures and photoperiods. We expected latitudinal differences in
behavioural traits regardless of the conditions in which larvae were
grown, with northern populations expressing higher activity, boldness and
foraging efficiency. When grown in native conditions, northern larvae were
bolder more active and more effective in prey capture than central and low
latitude populations, respectively, as well as showed the strongest
behavioural syndromes. In contrast, larvae reared in constant
common-garden conditions showed no differences between regions in both
individual traits and syndromes.