A Study on the Species Diversity of Odonates in Manimala Region, Kottayam District

Lijia Ann Jose

B.Ed Student, Natural Science

Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education, Kottayam

introduction
ABSTRACT

The present study was on the species diversity of Odonates in the Manimala region
near Manimala River. The study were conducted on month of October 2016. The study area,
the Manimala River was suitable for the observation of dragonflies and damselflies, because
their nymphs are aquatic and due to this, there is a high chance of these insect groups to be
found here. To analyze the diversity of dragonflies and damson fly I have taken pictures of
them and have analyzed its diversity with the help of bar diagram. In this study I have
identified the most abundant Dragonfly in this region was Orthetrum chrysis and Caconeura
risi was the Damselfly was reported to be abundantly distributed in this area.

INTODUCTION
Study about the diversity of animals, plants, and microbes are getting more importance
every year, because a number of living species are being lost every year. Diversity should be
studied to know about the current status of an animal and plant population and to decide
whether there should be any conservative measure to be taken to protect them from being lost
forever. The Odonata is one of the orders of class Insecta that comprises Dragonflies and
Damselflies Odonata nymphs are aquatic and breathe by means of gills. The gills of Damselfly
nymphs are in the form of three leaf like structures at the ends of the abdomen and that of
Dragonfly nymphs are in the form of ridges in the rectum.(Matheson, 1985).

The present study was the species diversity of Odonates in the Manimala region near
Manimala River. The study also investigated the environmental condition and factors that are
affecting the dragonfly diversity.
 NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYUDY

The biodiversity survey of Odonates could be conducted regularly to know about the
status of its population over time. The awareness could be created among the public and policy
makers to conserve this insect group by protecting our natural habitat without much
destructive activities.

It is important to carry out this particular study to know the diversity of odonates in the
Manimala region to understand the role of dragonfly and damselfly to keep ecological balance.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This project is a study on the species diversity of odonates in Manimala region at

Kottayam district.

The main objectives are:

To understand types of odonate species present in the Manimala region.

To indentify different types of species of dragonfly and damselfly.
To understand the environmental conditions and factors that is affecting the
dragonfly diversity.

METHODOLOGY

The study area was visited in morning and evening, every month, because this time is
suitable for the observation of dragonflies and damselflies. In the morning they were at rest,
but when the sunlight appears they become active. Pictures were taken. The dragonflies and
damselflies. were released back to the field itself without harming them. Books and various
resources were used to identify the observed dragonflies and damselflies. Abundance of
different species was noted for different days.

I.1 METHOD ADOPTED

Dragonflies and damson flies were observed during morning and evening in the the
various sites of Manimala river and the photos were taken using the camera.

1.2 MATERIALS USED

The materials used for this diversity study are,

A. Insect Net
Insect net is used to catch the dragonflies and damselflies for taking photos.
 B. Field Book
Field book were used to write the external features of the collected Odonates.
Also write date, area, habit etc
C. Digital Camera
Photos of odonates were taken using digital camera.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

During the course of my study, 4 species of dragonflies and 4species of damselflies

were observed.4 species of dragonflies were observed during the course of my study and all
are comes under Libellulidae family.

The observed species are following;

1. Lathrecista asiatica
2. Trithemis aurora
3. Trithemis festiva
4. Orthetrum chrysis

Four different species of damselflies were observed during my study and are belongs to
3 families. The observed families are the following;

A. Family: Coenagrionidae
B. Family Protoneuridae
C. Family Euphaeidae
PICTURES OF IDENTIFIED DRAGONFLIES

Lathrecista asiatica Orthetrum chrysis

 Trithemis aurora

PICTURES OF IDENTIFIED DAMSONFLIES

Pseudagrion rubriceps
Agriocnemis pieris

Caconeura risi

Graph showing observed dragonflies

 Chart Title
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

The graph showing the diversity of observed dragonflies

ih the presnt study period in different sites of Manimala river in month of October.

Graph showing observed damson flies

Chart Title
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

The graph indicate the amount of different types of

damsonflies present in the period October at Manimala river.by anlysing the graph the amount
of caconeura risi larger thean that of others.
 CONCLUSION

The dragonflies and damselflies are bioindicators found more in pollution free areas.
They want clean water for breeding. The area is biodiversity rich and therefore many small
insects are present. They are the main source of food for dragonflies. Generally, most
dragonfly and damselfly are found in the streamside because their nymphs are aquatic. Many
dragonflies and damselflies that live only in clean water are identified. Euphaea fraseri
(Malabar torrent dart), and Caconeura risi are examples.

By doing this project, I reached at the conclusion that, the regions near Manimala River
in with its huge diversity of plants and wonderful fauna are the richest habitat for dragonflies
and damselflies, providing homes for some of the most ecofriendly and biologically important
insect order.

In a general view, the species diversity of dragonflies and damselflies become reduced
day by day. Anthropogenic activities are the major reason for this reduction of species
diversity. Lack of water bodies and deforestation also makes the diversity lesser because
Odonates inhabit mainly in habitats such as forests, small ponds, paddy fields, rivers, streams
and streamlets, marshes etc. and it demands clean water for breeding. Due to increased
industrialization, waste disposal in the rivers are common. It will adversely affect the flaura
and fauna which completely or partially depends on water for their existence. So protection of
natural habitat of odonates is necessary to keep ecological balance.

REFERENCES

1. Prasad, M and Varshney, R.K. (1995). A checklist of the Odonata of India

including data on larval studies. Oriental Insects, 29:93-108p.
2. Subramanian, K.A. (2009). A checklist of Odonata (Insecta) of India. Zoological
survey of India.36pp
3. Emiliyamma, K.G, Radhakrishnan.C& palot, M.J (2007). Odonata (Insecta) of
Kerala, Zoological survey of India, 195pp.
4. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DragonflyIndia)