Six New Dragonfly Species Found in Silent Valley Park

A three-day survey in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, conducted with the Society for Odonate Studies (SOS), recorded 83 odonate species, including six newly discovered species, raising the park’s total to 109. The newly identified species are the Long Legged Clubtail (Merogomphus longistigma), Fraser’s Torrent Hawk (Macromia irata), Dark Daggerhead (Macromidia donaldi), Blue-necked Reedtail (Protosticta mortoni), Wayanad Torrent Dart (Euphaea wayanadensis), and Black and Yellow Bambootail (Elattoneura tetrica). These discoveries highlight the park’s rich microhabitats and the pristine condition of its freshwater streams, as many odonates serve as bioindicators of ecological health.