Dragonflies and damselflies have very unique and unusual mating behaviours.
Mating usually take place near ponds, lakes, streams and rivers as the majority of dragonflies and damselflies lay their eggs in water. The male dragonfly will stake out an area that is a suitable egg-laying site and maintain patrol over this territory to defend it while looking out for a female mate. Should another male of the same species enter this territory, a chase will ensue to get the intruder off. Nevertheless, several different species can often be seen patrolling the same area.
Courtship may be brief or nonexistent for many dragonflies and quite complex for most damselflies. A mating pair is referred to as being "in wheel position" or in copula as their bodies form a rough circle, and almost a heart-shape sometimes, while mating.
Here's looking at a pair of Ischnura senegalensis in wheel position...
A mating pair may remain in the wheel position for a few seconds in some dragonflies and up to a few hours for many damselflies...
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