Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata: Insecta) are always found in the vicinity of water bodies here. Their adults lead an aerial life while their nymphs are aquatic. Odonate nymphs are bioindicators enabling us to monitor the alterations or changes in the health of aquatic habitat systems, hence ecologically important. A total of 98 species belonging to 12 families have been recorded from Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. Of these, 12 species are endemic to the Western Ghats. Rare and endangered species such as Indian Blue Bambootail (Caconeura ramburi), Nilgiri Torrent Dart (Euphaea dispar), Malabar Torrent Dart (Euphaea fraseri), Nilgiri Mountain Hawk (Chlorogomphus campioni), Emerald Cascader (Zygonyx iris), Idionyx sp., Protosticta sp. are also found in the sanctuary.

Useful links on the taxa :    Odonata of India