Rare Dragonfly Rediscovered in Arunachal After 100 Years

Rare Dragonfly Rediscovered In Arunachal After More Than Century

Why in the News ?

A rare dragonfly species, Gynacantha khasiaca or the long-tailed duskhawker, has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha National Park after more than 110 years, highlighting the ecological importance of the region and the need for habitat conservation.

Rediscovery Of The Rare Dragonfly Species:

• A team of four citizen scientists rediscovered the rare dragonfly Gynacantha khasiaca in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The species was sighted in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve near Deban in October 2024.
• The dragonfly was previously recorded in the erstwhile Abor Hills region in 1914, making this rediscovery significant after more than a century.
• The finding was confirmed through photographs taken in the presence of forest officials.
• The study documenting the rediscovery was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa.

Ecological Importance And Conservation Concerns

• Dragonflies possess nearly 360-degree vision due to their large compound eyes containing thousands of lenses.
• They are important components of freshwater ecosystems, functioning both as predators and prey within aquatic food chains.
• Scientists stressed that the rediscovery underlines the need for continuous biodiversity monitoring and habitat protection in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose serious threats to sensitive freshwater insect species.
• The rediscovery also highlights the rich but underexplored biodiversity of India’s northeastern region.