Predation of Gripopteryx sp. (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) by Argia claussenii Selys, 1865 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) in Campo Rupestre, Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study reports, as a pioneer effort, the predation of adult Plecoptera by adult Odonata in a Campo Rupestre environment, at the Pico do Itambé State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The event was recorded in September 2024, in a rocky lotic area, where the damselfly Argia claussenii Selys, 1865 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) was feeding on the stonefly Gripopteryx sp. (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae). The predation is attributed to the generalist predatory behavior of damselflies, known for capturing a wide range of prey during their adult phase. This study contributes to the knowledge of trophic interactions involving Odonata and Plecoptera in ecosystems of high biodiversity and ecological relevance, such as the Campo Rupestre, and highlights the need for further investigations into the biology and ecology of these species in environments threatened by habitat loss.