Six new species of dragonflies and damselflies have been present in Silent Valley Nationwide Park throughout an odonate survey held from October 10 to 12. The survey, collectively held by Silent Valley Nationwide Park and the Society for Odonate Research (SOS), recorded the rising richness of the park’s pristine ecosystem.
The three-day survey recorded 83 species of odonates within the park, together with the six new species. With the brand new data, the entire variety of identified odonate species within the Silent Valley Nationwide Park has elevated from 103 to 109.
Blue necked Reedtail
The newly recorded species are Lengthy Legged Clubtail (Merogomphus longistigma), Fraser’s Torrent Hawk (Macromia irata), Darkish Daggerhead (Macromidia donaldi), Blue-necked Reedtail (Protosticta mortoni), Wayanad Torrent Dart (Euphaea wayanadensis), and Black and Yellow Bambootail (Elattoneura tetrica).
“These new additions not only enrich the park’s odonate diversity, but also highlight the presence of varied microhabitats capable of supporting 109 species,” stated odonate skilled Sujith V. Gopalan.
Darkish Daggerhead
Freshwater high quality
Three Euphaea species (Euphaea dispar, E. fraseri, and E. wayanadensis) have been recorded through the survey. Every of those species is a identified indicator of freshwater high quality, representing particular altitudinal and microhabitat ranges, thereby confirming the wonderful ecological integrity of the park’s freshwater streams, Dr. Gopalan stated.
Fraser’s Torrent Hawk
Species from the genus Protosticta (P. mortoni, P. gravelyi) and Saffron Reedtail (Indosticta deccanensis) additional emphasise the park’s function as a refuge for Western Ghats endemics depending on extremely localised habitats.
Different notable recordings embrace Pale-spotted Bambootail (Caconeura gomphoides), restricted to excessive elevations of the park, and different uncommon endemics akin to Ruby-tailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae), Myristica Bambootail (Phylloneura westermanni), Malabar Bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata).
Lengthy Legged Clubtail
“Odonates are indicators of ecosystem health, and studying their population status can provide valuable insights into the overall wellness of the habitats they represent,” stated Dr. Gopalan.
He stated the transect surveys performed alongside predetermined routes yielded encouraging outcomes. These transect information can be additional analysed and in contrast with earlier surveys to derive a extra detailed understanding of the ecosystem’s dynamics and tendencies over time.
Wayanad Torrent Dart
37 volunteers
This was the fourth odonate survey in Silent Valley since 2019. Specialists stated yet one more survey could be performed subsequent 12 months as a part of a deeper research.
The survey was held throughout 12 campsites involving 37 volunteers and forest workers.
Silent Valley Wildlife Warden Arulselvan Okay. inaugurated the survey. Assistant Wildlife Wardens Vishnu V.S. and N. Ganesan spoke. Other than Dr. Gopalan, odonate specialists Vivek Chandran, Mohammed Sherif, Renjith Jacob Mathews and Reji Chandran led the survey.
Printed – October 15, 2025 05:09 pm IST
