Goa has 108 recorded species of dragonflies & damselflies

KERI: The presence of dragonflies and damselflies, collectively called odonata, have been revealed in different kinds of habitats in Goa. Though, published records of odonates indicates 88 species, Goa-based ecologist Parag Ranganekar, who is involved in documentation of butterflies and odonates, has reported the presence of 108 species. Besides these, 20 species have been reported and are under consideration for inclusion in published records of odonate species.
Two new dragonflies species — Idionyx Gomantakakensis and Cyclogomphus Flavoanmulatus — have been described from the forests of Mollem in 2013 and 2018 respectively. Both species are endemic to the Western Ghats. In fact, the type locality of the Idionyx Gomantakakensis is adjacent to the proposed expansion of the railway track.
Speaking to TOI, Ranganekar said, “Dragonflies are good indicators of clean air and water. They prefer living close to water bodies. We have come across dry land species of dragonflies in Surla of Sattari and Sanguem. We are presently studying whether these species have changed their habitat, or due to climate change are found in forested areas.”
The globe skimmer dragonfly, also know as the wandering glider, is capable of regularly carrying out long, cross ocean flights. The scientists studying dragonflies have been awestruck by a flight of over 2,000 km across the open ocean by an insect just 5cm long and weighing just 300mg.
In Goa, tribals and forest dwellers consider the presence of a large number of dragonflies during the summer as the indication of monsoonal rain. In Rivon, there was a densely forested area known for diverse varieties of dragonflies locally known as Bhirmutigal.
"They are very active predators of adult mosquitoes as well as their larva and thus play an important role in helping human beings. Protecting their habitat is important", said Kasarpal wildlifer Subodh Naik.