Daily activity rhythms in adult Odonata examined with a dynamic programming model

I parameterize for adult male Odonata a published dynamic programming model which solves for optimal diurnal activity rhythms. Individuals have the choice of either foraging or reproductive activity during fine weather whilst between active days they must remain immobile. The decision to mate or forage depends on current energy reserves and the optimal solution is found by maximizing expected lifetime reproductive success. By varying the value of parameters in the model I investigate how activity rhythms may be expected to change with different ecological or physiological circumstances. The new formulation produces an output similar to the previous formulation and predicts some notable features of dragonfly activity routines. In particular energy expenditure between active days selects for evening foraging at the expense of reproductive activity, and a diversity of activity rhythms can be generated if activity profitability depends on time of day. The model makes explicit some general principles about the factors governing odonate activities and illustrates how some dynamic models may be applicable to a variety of biological systems.