Polarization Sensitivity and Polarotaxis in Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

In optomotor experiments, the larvae of Anax imperator dragonflies proved to be polarization sensitive. These larvae may use polarization to improve the perception of radiance contrast by selectively filtering partially linearly polarized light scattered by the turbid underwater optical environment. In double-choice field experiments, the polarotaxis of Sympetrum illotum, Enallagma praevarum and Ischnura denticollis odonates was studied. However, due to some methodological shortcomings, some of the results, conclusions, interpretations and speculations about the polarization sensitivity and polarotaxis in these three odonate species are questionable.