What percentage of dragonfly species were found missing in the Western Ghats survey?

Approximately 35% of the known dragonfly and damselfly species were not documented during the survey in the Western Ghats.

What are the main threats to dragonfly populations in the Western Ghats?

Key threats include linear infrastructure development, hydropower projects, severe pollution, large-scale land-use changes, unregulated tourism, forest fires, and climate change.

Why are dragonflies important indicators of ecological health?

Dragonflies are highly sensitive to environmental changes and depend entirely on freshwater ecosystems for reproduction, making their presence or absence a direct reflection of water body health.

Home / Science / Dragonfly Decline: Western Ghats Face Insect Crisis

Dragonfly Decline: Western Ghats Face Insect Crisis

24 Apr

•

Summary

65% of known dragonfly species missing in Western Ghats.
Pollution, infrastructure development threaten insect populations.
Dragonflies are key indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.

Dragonfly Decline: Western Ghats Face Insect Crisis

A recent extensive survey across five states in India's Western Ghats has uncovered a significant decline in dragonfly and damselfly populations. Researchers could only document approximately 65% of the known Odonata species in this biodiversity hotspot, raising alarms about potential species and habitat loss.

The study, conducted between February 2021 and March 2023, involved fieldwork at 144 sites. It revealed variations across states, with Maharashtra recording 100 species and Kerala noting a high concentration of 33 endemic species despite fewer sites.