New Dragonfly Species Discovered in Kerala, Named Lyriothemis keralensis

Why in the News ? 

Lyriothemis keralensis, a new species of dragonfly, has been discovered in Kerala’s plantation landscapes and formally described in a scientific journal. The finding is significant because the species survives largely outside protected areas, highlighting the conservation value of agricultural ecosystems and the need for biodiversity-sensitive land use.

Background

• The species was recorded from Varapetty near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district of Kerala.
• It inhabits vegetated pools and irrigation canals inside shaded pineapple and rubber plantations.

The research was conducted by scientists from:

• Indian Foundation for Butterflies
• Kerala Agricultural University
• Society for Odonate Studies
• National Centre for Biological Sciences
• The findings were published in the International Journal of Odonatology.
• Although observed since 2013, it was long misidentified as Lyriothemis acigastra, a species earlier believed to occur only in northeast India.
• Detailed microscopic and anatomical comparisons confirmed it as a distinct species.
• Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata, a group widely used as bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health.

Features 

Morphological Traits

• Small-sized dragonfly
• Strong sexual dimorphism:
  • Males: bright blood-red with black markings
  • Females: bulkier, yellow with black markings
• Slender abdomen
• Distinct anal appendages and genital structures

Seasonal Behaviour

• Visible mainly during the Southwest monsoon (late May–August)
• Spends the rest of the year in the aquatic larval stage
• Survives in canal and pool networks within shaded plantations

Ecological Significance

• Dragonflies are top insect predators, controlling mosquito and pest populations
• Sensitive to water quality → act as early warning indicators
• Presence in plantation habitats shows that human-modified landscapes can support biodiversity
• Highlights Kerala’s status as a biodiversity-rich region within the Western Ghats landscape

Challenges

Habitat Outside Protected Areas

• Most populations occur in plantation landscapes
• Vulnerable to land-use change and chemical inputs

Agricultural Intensification

• Pesticide runoff threatens aquatic larvae
• Canal cleaning and drainage alter microhabitats

Lack of Awareness

• Plantation biodiversity is often undervalued
• Species may disappear before being documented

Fragmented Conservation Policy

• Focus remains on forests, not agro-ecosystems
• Weak monitoring of freshwater microhabitats

Way Forward

Biodiversity-Friendly Plantation Practices

• Reduce pesticide use
• Maintain shaded canal networks
• Preserve vegetated pools

Agro-Ecological Conservation Zones

• Recognise plantation landscapes as biodiversity corridors
• Incentivise eco-friendly land management

Citizen Science & Monitoring

• Encourage dragonfly surveys
• Involve local communities and students

Policy Integration

• Link biodiversity conservation with agricultural policy
• Promote eco-certification for plantations

Freshwater Habitat Protection

• Safeguard small wetlands and irrigation canals
• Monitor water quality

Conclusion

The discovery of Lyriothemis keralensis is a reminder that new species are still being found in everyday landscapes, not just remote forests. Plantation ecosystems, often dismissed as monocultures, can harbour unique life forms when managed sensitively.

Conservation in the 21st century must move beyond protected areas and embrace working landscapes.