DRAGONFLY DEFENDING THE TERRITORY

Many insect males must conquer a physical territory needed by the female and her offspring before the female will mate with them.

Male dragonflies occupy the lookout posts in their territories in the morning and then spend their day keeping watch. The male will immediately intercept anything entering his territory and then subject it to a strict order of priorities. First he will try to mate with it, if unsuitable, he will try to eat it, if impossible, he will try to chase it away with all his might, especially if it takes the form of a competing male.

As the third option is most often the case, aerial dogfights between male dragonflies are a common sight close to any water. These males chase each other until a compromise 'border' between their territories has been established, much in the same way as dogs do on neighbouring properties.
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