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A study was conducted at Munnar Forest Division Idukki District, Kerala, the southern Western Ghats, to assess the diversity of odonates. Around 44 species of odonates, which include 29 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 15 species of Zygoptera (damselflies). The odonate diversity of Munnar Forest Division accounted for 24.72 % of the odonates in Kerala and 22.45 % of the odonates of the Western Ghats. The study highlights the importance of biodiversity documentation at high altitudes in the Western Ghats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthetrum sabina is one of the most common dragonflies found in Nepal, but its feeding behavior has not often been reported from there. An example of this species preying on Neurothemis tullia is reported from Maidi Lake, Nepal. This observation was made during a field survey of Odonata using direct observation along transects around the lake. It adds to our knowledge of the species' feeding behavior, elaborating the previous findings and providing scope for further ecological studies on Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purba-Barddhaman, a newly emerged district of West Bengal was surveyed for listing its odonate diversity. The district is located in southern West Bengal, and two major rivers, Damodar and Ajay, run through it. It also has a lot of small rivers, perineal and seasonal water bodies, grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields, making it a great place for odonates. Five different sites of the district were surveyed by direct search and opportunistic sighting methods for a period of two years (March 2021 to February 2023) and odonate diversity was listed. We have found a total of 47 species belonging to 35 genera and six families from this district. The most diverse family was Libellulidae, with 24 species. A few major findings from this study were Macrogomphus montanus, Platygomphus dolabratus, Lathrecista asiatica, Libellago indica, and Agriocnemis kalinga. This is the first systematic study of odonates from this district, and it illustrates the value of this densely populated district for further exploration due to its high agricultural fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out over a three-year period, spanning from March 2020 to March 2023, with the aim of examining the status and diversity of Odonata fauna across a range of natural and anthropogenic habitats situated in Egra, Purba Medinipur District, located in the state of West Bengal. In total, 42 odonata species from 31 genera and seven families were identified throughout the study period from the study region. There were 28 (67%) species in the suborder Anisoptera, belonging to four distinct families. On the other hand, 14 (33%) species in the Suborder Zygoptera, divided into three different families. The four families of suborder Anisoptera were Aeshnidae (10%), Gomphidae (2%), Libellulidae (53%), and Macromiidae (2%). In the suborder Zygoptera, three families were identified, namely Coenagrionidae (24%), Lestidae (2%), and Platycnemididae (7%). %). According to the relative estimate of abundance, 38% of the species were classified as not rare (NR), 31% very common (VC), 14% common (C), 14% rare (R), and 3% as very rare (R). In addition, the IUCN red data list indicates that 41 species have been classified as Least Concern (LC), while a solitary species has been categorised as Data Deficient (DD). The identification of Odonata is a critical factor in determining the ecological well-being of an ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the species distribution and richness along an environmental gradient helps identify hotspots and prioritize conservation efforts at landscape scale. This is more effective for the species that are indicators of environmental change, such as odonates. As the information about the distribution of this group of insects is scarce in Jammu & Kashmir, their documentation assumes a greater significance. Here, we present a checklist of odonate species from 23 sites across diverse landscapes in subtropical, temperate, and alpine ecosystems over an elevational gradient of 3,700 m in Jammu division. We recorded 63 species from 39 genera and 11 families, four Anisoptera and seven Zygoptera. The most represented families were Libellulidae (15 genera & 29 species) and Coenagrionidae (five genera & 10 species). The preliminary surveys resulted in addition of 24 new species to the Odanata fauna of Jammu & Kashmir, including three new to the northwestern Himalaya. The study underlines that even opportunistic records are useful in understanding the distribution range and delineating the potential habitats of odonates. The study calls for intensive odonate surveys to better understand their distribution and ecology in hitherto less explored region in the northwestern Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odonates from the Kashmir Himalaya have been least studied with only 22 species reported from this region. After a long gap of 41 years, the present work forms the first observations on occurence and distribution of two new odonates from the Kashmir valley. Two dragonflies Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770) and Palpopleura sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1787) belonging to the family Libellulidae are reported for the first time from this region. The findings open new insights about phenology, distribution patterns, behaviour, and the effects of climate change on Himalayan Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted in nine different locations (forested areas and unclassified natural areas) of six administrative districts of Tripura State from March 2012 to May 2019 as part of the biodiversity exploration of the state for further addition of odonate fauna. In this communication, we report six species of Anisoptera and seven species of Zygoptera as new records from Tripura State. Among these 13 newly recorded species, one Anisoptera and two Zygoptera species are Data Deficient and the rest are Least Concern according to IUCN Red List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to investigate the variety of Odonata in Kashmir from November 2020 to November 2022. The study revealed the existence of 24 species, which includes 18 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) under eight genera & two families and six species of Zygoptera (damselflies) in five genera & three families. New records of four species Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770), O. internum McLachlan, 1894, Aeshna petalura Martin, 1906, and Anax guttatus (Burmeister, 1839) from the region are provided herewith. Libellulidae (12 spp.) followed by Aeshnidae (six spp.) were recorded as two dominant families. This study provides some important baseline information on the odonates of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Indolestes Fraser, 1922 and Dysphaea Selys, 1853 were previously known from Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, parts of Gujarat, and eastern India. In this paper, we report the first confirmed records of Indolestes gracilis davenporti Fraser, 1930 and Dysphaea ethela Fraser, 1924 based on a specimen collected from Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. We have also provided additional records of Macrodiplax cora (Brauer, 1867) from Maharashtra based on photographic evidence from Sindhudurg District. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amboli region, consisting Amboli, Chaukul, Nene, and Parpoli villages is one of the biodiversity rich areas in northern Western Ghats. We opportunistically surveyed odonates from the region and prepared an annotated checklist of 93 species belonging to 12 families. We report 15 Western Ghats endemic species and six new records for the State of Maharashtra. We further present an updated checklist of Odonata of Maharashtra state with a total of 144 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of 43 species of dragonflies and damselflies from Trongsa and Zhemgang districts in central Bhutan are provided. Two of these, Watanabeopetalia atkinsoni (Selys, 1878) and Tetrathemis platyptera (Selys, 1878), are new to Bhutan bringing the number of species known from Bhutan to 125. A checklist of the 60 species known from Trongsa district, Zhemgang district and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva of Vestalis melania is described and illustrated for the first time, based on specimens collected from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines. The identity of the larva was confirmed by matching its mitochondrial COI sequence with the adult. The larva can be distinguished by the shape of the prementum and its median cleft, lateral gills, and posterolateral abdominal spines. Comparison with other known larvae in the genus is also provided. The significance of using DNA barcoding for identifying larvae of Philippine Odonata is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 is described from Anamalai Hills of southern Western Ghats in peninsular India. The new species is distinguished from its regional congeners by the posterior lobe of the prothorax being devoid of spines; anterior 1/3rd of S8 pale yellow, the marking not connected dorsally; S9 completely black; caudal appendages short, sinuous, and only twice the length of S10, cerci with a small blunt basal tooth; the tip of the superior lobe of cerci not bilobed but straight, paraprocts beveled at the tip, not clubbed; pterostigma of both wings trapezoidal with maximum length less than twice the breadth, forewing with nine & hindwing with eight postnodals, and the structure of male genital ligula. The new species is described from Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary on the northwestern flanks of the Anamalai hills. A key to the identification of Protosticta of the Western Ghats is provided based on mature males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The odonate diversity of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats (WG) of Kerala state, is discussed in this paper. A total of 181 species belonging to 87 genera and 14 families have been compiled for Kerala and this includes 68 Western Ghats endemics. A total of 116 species of odonates including 33 endemics were recorded for the region. A total of 41 damselflies (Zygoptera) and 75 dragonflies (Anisoptera) were recorded for the sanctuary. Shendurney thus harbours 56.04 й of WG and 64.08 й of the odonate diversity of Kerala. In addition, this includes 48.52й of Kerala and 41.25 й of endemic odonates of Western Ghats. About 29й of all the species recorded for the Shendurney are endemic to WG. With respect to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, one species is ‘Endangered’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Near Threatened’, 84 ‘Least Concern’, 20 ‘Data Deficient’, and six species whose IUCN Red List status was not assessed. Family Libellulidae (41 species) dominated the odonate diversity, followed by Coenagrionidae (15 species) and Gomphidae (13 species). Regarding the occurrence status, we found that 11 species were Very Common, 42 species were found to be Common, 34 species Not Rare, 10 species were Rare, and 19 species were Very Rare inside the sanctuary. None of the species listed is protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to reveal the odonate diversity in Jabalpur city and its surrounding area in Madhya Pradesh, central India. During the study period of 2008-2019 a total of 75 species of odonates belonging to two suborders and nine families were recorded. Twenty-one new species were recorded for Jabalpur district and four for Madhya Pradesh; 37% (28) species were abundant or very common, 19% (14) were common, 16% (12) were frequent, 24% (18) rare, and 4% (3) very rare. The maximum number of odonates were found in family Libellulidae (n= 32), followed by Coenagrionidae (n= 17), Gomphidae (n= 09), Platycenemididae (n= 06), Aeshnidae (n= 05), Lestidae (n= 03), Macromiidae (n= 02), and Chlorocyphidae (n= 01). Of 75 species recorded from Jabalpur city, 72 come under the IUCN Red List. Among them, Indothemis carnatica come under Near Threatened (NT) category, 65 species come under Least Concern (LC) Category, six species under Data Deficient (DD), and three species remain not assessed. The study supports the value of the city area in providing habitatfor Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A year-long study to document the diversity and seasonality of odonates was conducted at Aryanad Grama Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, southern India. A total of 93 species (56 dragonflies and 37 damselflies) belonging to 12 families were recorded. Twenty-four species of odonates recorded are endemic to the Western Ghats, three to peninsular India and one to India. Small streams showed the highest species richness, hosting 69 species and ponds the lowest with 59 species. Species richness showed a peak during the southwest monsoon season and a dip in winter. The study highlights the importance of biodiversity documentation at regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication, we have collated a checklist of 97 species of odonates from Doon valley, Uttarakhand by reviewing the literature. These species are distributed across 13 families, 58 genera, and eight superfamilies. Of these species, 60 were Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 37 were Zygoptera (damselflies). Three species of dragonflies and two damselflies are endemic to India. This checklist updates existing knowledge on insect diversity in the Doon valley and will aid conservation management of wetlands in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of freshwater habitats through aquatic insects is widely used. A study was carried out in March, 2019 at 14 sites in the Upper Ganga River between Brijghat and Narora, a riverine Ramsar site in India, to document the diversity of three major aquatic predatory insect groups—Odonata, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera—and determine their biomonitoring potential. The study recorded three species of Coleoptera, four Hemiptera, 14 dragonflies, and eight damselflies. The Shannon diversity index (H′) ranged from 2.465 to 2.782, Pielou’s Evenness index (J′) from 0.841 to 0.894, and Berger–Parker index of dominance (d) from 0.122 to 0.243. Families Libellulidae (Odonata), Coenagrionidae (Odonata) and Gerridae (Hemiptera) had high relative abundance and dominant status. The stream invertebrate grade number-average level (SIGNAL2) score (for family) ranged from 2.316 to 3.174, lying within quadrant 2 of the SIGNAL2 (family) quadrant diagram. This suggested that the water in the area is likely to have high levels of turbidity, salinity, or nutrients, caused naturally or by anthropogenic activities, and the water has low levels of most toxic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A one-year study was conducted at Vakkom Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, to assess the diversity of odonates. We report 49 species, which include 31 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 18 species of Zygoptera (damselflies). Among dragonflies, the family Libellulidae dominated with 26 species, while Coenagrionidae with 10 species was the dominant family among the damselflies. The odonate diversity of Vakkom Grama Panchayath accounted for 28% of the odonates in Kerala and 25% of the odonates of the Western Ghats. Vakkom Grama Panchayath also recorded the presence of Mortonagrion varralli which is an uncommon species in Kerala. This study provides some important baseline information on the odonates of one of the grama panchayaths in Kerala, India. An updated checklist of 57 species of odonates of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The riparian Odonate insect diversity of the midstream Chalakudy River at six locations assessed from February 2018 to January 2019 has revealed the occurrence of 25 species of odonates. Among them,10 species are dragonflies belonging to seven genera of the family Libellulidae and the remaining 15 species are damselflies belonging to six families and 11 genera. Five endemic damselfly species have been recorded. Pseudagrion indicum is endemic to the Western Ghats, while the remaining four species, Vestalis apicalis, Libellago indica, Dysphaea ethela, and Heliocypha bisignata, are endemic to India. Diversity indices of the odonates in all the six locations were analyzed and it showed less abundance at sites where tourist activities are more and with thin native riparian vegetation. Further, the study has unequivocally revealed that thick native riparian vegetation is essential for their perching and existence. By and large, the uncontrolled tourism activities and habitat alteration interfere with the density and diversity of these endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriocnemis keralensis Peters, 1981 is reported for the first time from Maharashtra, India. Previously it was known from Kerala and Goa states. In this paper we report A. keralensis from Thakurwadi and Bambuli wetlands and Chipi Plateau, Sindhudurg District. Also, the new record of Gynacantha khasiaca MacLachlan, 1896 is confirmed on the basis of specimens collected from Sindhudurg District. Hence, we report the range extension of both A. keralensis and G. khasiaca in northern Western Ghats. Apart from this, a combined checklist of Odonata fauna of Thakurwadi (51 species), Bambuli wetlands (44 species), and Chipi Plateau (51 species) is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For gauging suitability of zygopteran odonates as bioindicators of ecosystems, an attempt was made to record the seasonal diversity of damselflies from seven different types of habitats in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal covering 14 land use sites. The study revealed existence of 19 species of damselflies belonging to 10 genera under two families. While the riparian zone had maximum number of species (15), paddy field had the lowest number (six). Ceriagrion coromandelianum and Agriocnemis pygmaea were the most common species. C. coromandelianum was eudominant in grassland and wetland-forest interface, whereas A. pygmaea was eudominant in fish pond and paddy field. Six species, viz., Paracercion calamorum, P. malayanum, Pseudagrion australasiae, P. decorum, P. spencei, and P. microcephalum were confined only to the riparian zone. Maximum abundance of damselflies was found in the riparian zone and minimum in the paddy field. Damselflies exhibited a distinct peak in March–April and a lesser peak in September–October. Most of the land use patterns exhibited similar zygopteran faunal composition. Species diversity index was moderate (1.4–2.5) and evenness index was on the higher side (0.76–0.94). Dominance Index ranged from 26.2 to 64.6. Riparian zone appeared to be the least stressed and most equitable habitat with highest diversity and evenness index and lowest dominance index. Paddy field seemed to be the harshest habitat for damselflies with least diversity and highest dominance index. The present study suggests that community analysis of damselflies can be quite useful in the assessment of the quality of any ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviour and ecology of an elusive dragonfly, Lyriothemis acigastra (Insecta: Odonata: Libellulidae) based on observations from Kadavoor Village, Ernakulam District, Kerala are detailed. Range extension of the species within Kerala after its first report in 2013 is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present communication we report the occurrence of additional 13 Odonate species from the Asansol-Durgapur Industrial Area, West Bengal, India, making the total 76. This paper reports the first record of Libellago indica (Fraser, 1928) and first photographic records of Macromia flavicincta Selys, 1874 from West Bengal. It also reports the range extension of Macromia cingulata Rambur, 1842 from the Purulia District to Paschim Bardhaman District. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a rejoinder to the article ͞ The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution͟. In the said paper, certain species are of doubtful occurrence in Kerala and the Western Ghats. First reports of certain species which were available in open-access biodiversity portals and published articles in peer- reviewed journals were ignored. Additions to the checklists have been made without conducting taxonomic investigations, or in one case, even presenting a photograph. These shortcomings will lead to confusion and misunderstanding among odonatologists and naturalists in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the damselfly genus Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata: Euphaeidae) are described from the Western Ghats of Satara District, Maharashtra, distinguished by their distinct morphology and coloration. E. thosegharensis Sadasivan & Bhakare sp. nov. is similar to E. cardinalis (Fraser, 1924), but is distinguished by the extensor and flexor surface of all femora black while all femora bright red in E. cardinalis; apical fourth of Hw black while apical half of Hw black in E. cardinalis; genae reddish-orange, black in E. cardinalis; a tuft of sparse stub black hair on either side of tergite of S9 while both S8 and S9 with tufts of long ventral hairs in E. cardinalis. Male genital vesicle matt black, with distal border rounded angles, while vesicle black and hexagonal in shape with rounded angles in E. cardinalis and S9 twice the length of S10, while S9 and S10 of equal length in E. cardinalis. E. pseudodispar Sadasivan & Bhakare sp. nov., is very close to E. dispar (Rambur, 1842), but is differentiated easily by the absence of yellow patch on legs as in E. dispar; only apical fifth of Hw black; genae being yellowish-white, while black in E. dispar; male genital vesicle brownish-black & rhomboid-shaped and with no transverse rugosities while black with distal border rounded and with fine transverse rugosities in E. dispar; penis with single seta on each side while E. dispar has three pairs; sternite of S9 very prominently extending ventrally like a beak in comparison with E. dispar. We have identified additional morphological characters useful in taxonomy of Euphaea of the Western Ghats for example, tufts of ventral hairs on terminal abdominal segments genital vesicle, penile structure of males and sternite of S9 in the males, and vulvar scales of females. A taxonomic key to all known species of genus Euphaea of the Western Ghats is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first documentation of the insect fauna of Lalwan Community Reserve and Ranjit Sagar Conservation Reserve, Punjab. The survey was conducted in the months of May and June 2019. Selected insect groups were focused on for the rapid documentation of the entomofauna. Overall, we recorded 91 species of insects belonging to the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata. A total of 68 species including 46 species of order Lepidoptera, nine species of Odonata, and 13 species of Coleoptera were reported from Lalwan Community Reserve. Thirty-seven species consisting of 23 species of Odonata and 14 species of Lepidoptera were recorded from Ranjit Sagar Conservation Reserve, Punjab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A year-long study was conducted at the Kole Wetlands, a Ramsar site in central Kerala to document the diversity of dragonflies and damselflies and understand their seasonality. Checklist survey method was used to sample adult odonates in 30 randomly chosen locations. A total of 44 species (30 dragonflies and 14 damselflies) belonging to 33 genera and eight families were recorded in the study area. Species richness showed a peak in the post-monsoon season and a dip in the summer. The observations support the value of the Kole Wetlands in providing valuable resources for Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An odonate survey was conducted throughout the southwestern region of Bangladesh, concentrating on eight districts and the Sundarban, from August 2014 to August 2016. A total of 50 species under 30 genera belonging to six families was recorded during the study period. Among these, 31 species belonged to Anisoptera and 19 to Zygoptera suborders. Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae were the most dominant anisopteran and zygopteran families with 28 and 17 species, respectively. One Zygoptera species Mortonagrion varalli was newly added to the odonate fauna of Bangladesh.

A study was conducted in the eastern region of Bangladesh to contribute to the knowledge of the country’s Odonata fauna. A total of 75 species belonging to nine families was recorded during the study period from April 2014 to July 2016. Two zygopteran species, Calicnemia imitans and Prodasineura autumnalis, and one anisopteran species, Megalogomphus smithii, are new records for the country. The Megalogomphus genus is recorded for the first time from Bangladesh.

The genus Protosticta (Odonata, Zygoptera, Platystictidae) is represented by nine species in the Western Ghats of peninsular India, of which seven are reported for the state of Kerala. Our recent records of Protosticta rufostigma Kimmins, 1958 from the Western Ghats of Kerala State is discussed, and despite a thorough literature search no collection records or photographs of the species has been found after the original description from Tamil Nadu. The species is, thus, added to the checklist of odonates of Kerala State. The description of the live insect, its ecology, status and distribution is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rediscovery and recent distribution records of Anaciaeschna martini (Selys, 1897) (Odonata: Aeshnidae) from Western Ghats of peninsular India is discussed with notes on oviposition behavior. Although mentioned in odonate checklists of the region, there are no recent records or photographic evidence of the species from Western Ghats since its last report and collection by F.C. Fraser from Annamalai Hills in 1933. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odonata are the bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health and is recognised as an excellent 'flagship' group among insects. Baseline knowledge on the diversity and distribution of odonates over spatiotemporal scale is the key to biodiversity conservation. Rani Reserve Forest of Assam is a mosaic of all the habitat types suitable for odonates. The present work aims at studying the diversity and distribution of Odonates in Rani Reserve Forest. The study was carried out from December 2014 to November 2017 by categorising the study area into three major habitat types: 1. lentic system, 2. lotic system and 3. terrestrial woodland. A total of 67 species belonging to 44 genera, representing 11 families were recorded. First published records of three species, Onychothemis testacea (Libellulidae), Philoganga montana (Philogangidae) and Indocnemis orang (Platycnemididae) from the state are also provided herewith. Species richness was the highest in lentic system whereas recorded the lowest in running waters of larger forested streams. Shannon diversity index also indicated that the lentic system is relatively diverse (2.95) and smaller streams of the lotic system showed the highest species evenness (0.87). Libellulidae (43%) was found to be the most dominant family belonging to suborder Anisoptera followed by Coenagrionidae (22%) of suborder Zygoptera. Philogangidae (1%) recorded the lowest number of species. Taxonomically related species showed distinct ecological segregation within these different habitat types occupying different microhabitats therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we evaluated the performance of four species distribution models: generalized linear (GLM), maximum entropy (MAXENT), random forest (RF) and support vector machines (SVM) model, using the distribution of the dragonfly Blue-tailed Green Darner Anax guttatus in the Gangetic riparian zone between Bijnor and Kanpur barrage, Uttar Pradesh, India. We used forest cover type, land use, land cover and five bioclimatic variable layers: annual mean temperature, isothermality, temperature seasonality, mean temperature of driest quarter, and precipitation seasonality to build the models. We found that the GLM generated the highest values for AUC, Kappa statistic, TSS, specificity and sensitivity, and the lowest values for omission error and commission error, while the MAXENT model generated the lowest variance in variable importance. We suggest that researchers should not rely on any single algorithm, instead, they should test performance of all available models for their species and area of interest, and choose the best one to build a species distribution model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Platylestes Selys, 1862 is known from India, by only one species, P. platystylus from eastern India, West Bengal, and recently from Kerala. Here, we describe a new species Platylestes kirani from the coastal tracts of the northern part of Kerala, southern India. The new species differs from all other known species of the genus by its unique coloration, distinct marking on synthorax, and the shape of anal appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we discuss the results of a four-day long rapid survey around Dhamapur Lake and surrounding freshwater habitats in the Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra through public participation. In total, 61 odonates, 51 butterflies, 17 species of amphibians and reptiles, 90 birds, and four mammals are documented. Our observations taken over a brief time reflect the importance of citizen science in documenting local biodiversity. We report involvement of citizen scientists in recovering significant odonate records for the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of 11 rare species of damselflies and dragonflies (Calopteryx virgo, Lestes macrostigma, Nehalennia speciosa, Coenagrion scitulum, Ophiogomphus cecilia, Lindenia tetraphylla, Cordulegaster boltonii, Somatochlora arctica, Leucorrhinia albifrons, Leucorrhinia caudalis, and Selysiothemis nigra) within Ukraine are given. Habitats and distribution of species within the country are briefly discussed. Breeding sites of C. boltonii within Ukraine is found for the first time and confirmed with larval material. Somatochlora arctica is recommended for inclusion in the next edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large forest dwelling libellulid dragonfly Camacinia harterti Karsch, 1890 is recorded from Arunachal Pradesh and India for the first time in 115 years. The present record is based on a single male specimen collected from Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India. We provide detailed diagnostic characters in photographs and information on the global distribution of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae are the most dominant families among dragonflies and damselflies. The present study deals with the diversity, occurrence and present status of libellulids and coenagrionids within the Regional Institute of Education Campus in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India (RIEC). The major objectives of this study are to prepare a preliminary checklist of libellulids and coenagrionids species in the RIEC and to find out the status and distribution of genera and species in their respective families. This study is also aimed at systematic planning for developing different strategies for conservation of odonates in the campus. During this study a total of 24 species have been recorded out of which 20 species belong to the family Libellulidae representing 15 genera and four species belong to the family Coenagrionidae representing four genera. The findings of this study are based on the survey which was carried out for a period of four months in 2015.

The present study recorded a total of 45 species of Odonata, of which one species, Ischnura mildredae, was recorded for the first time from West Bengal in India. Thirty-eight species were found in Tamluk Municipality as compared to 21 species in Haldia Industrial Belt (IB), with 14 species common to both the localides. Index of similarity revealed that the two localides were slightly dissimilar in odonate faunal composidon as only 47% of species were shared. In both the localides, Anisoptera was more abundant, comprising over 69% of the total odonates. Libellulidae was the most abundant Anisopteran family in both the localides, comprising over 66% of the total odonates. Coenagrionidae was the most abundant Zygopteran family in both the localides. Thirteen species of Anisoptera and 11 species of Zygoptera were found only in Tamluk whereas two species of Anisoptera and five species of Zygoptera were found only in Haldia IB. Crocothemis servilia, Pantala flavescens, and Ceriagrion coromandelianum were the dominant species in Tamluk while Brachythemis contaminata and Orthetrum sabina were the dominant species in Haldia IB. Based on the values of Shannon index, Tamluk was considered unpolluted (=3.16) and Haldia IB moderately polluted (=2.43). Higher equitability index (J=0.87) and very low dominance index (0.06) in Tamluk indicated homogeneity in community composidon and reladvely stress-free equitable environment. The present invesdgadon suggests that Odonata can be used as bioindicators of industrial polludon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 from Kerala part of Western Ghats is described and illustrated. The holotype male and paratype female is distinguished from other Protosticta species based on its complete black dorsal surface of abdomen, 7th and 8th abdominal segment without yellow or blue color dorsally and its distinct anal appendages. The new species, Protosticta monticola sp. nov. was collected from shola forests of Idukki District, Kerala, southern Western Ghats. A key is also provided for the identification of all described species of Protosticta known from the Western Ghats.