Urban freshwater salinization reshapes Erythemis simplicicollis (Odonata: Libellulidae) life history timing and predator-prey interactions

Road salt pollution is a major threat for aquatic organisms living in cities, yet few studies have investigated the impacts of salt pollution across life history transitions. We investigated the sub-lethal impacts of road salt pollution on Erythemis simplicicollis dragonflies across their larval to adult transition. We reared larvae at 0g/L, 1g/L, and 3g/L of road salt and assessed larval foraging activity, immune strength, growth rate, morphology, and adult emergence timing and success. Salt exposure significantly reduced larval foraging rate and accelerated adult emergence, which may have widespread consequences for aquatic ecosystems experiencing road salt pollution.To access data, please download and unzip "Bodmer & Murray et al. 2026 - Environmental Entomology.zip" folder. Opening the "Erythemis simplicicollis - Road Salt.Rproj" Rproject file will allow you to access all files within RStudio without the need to set a new working directory.