Dragonflies (Odonata) of the city of Lublin (Eastern Poland)

Abstract

The authors discuss the dragonfly fauna of Lublin based on fragmentary historical data and the results of their own research from the period 1992-2019. A total of 54 dragonfly species were recorded: 17 in the historical period and 53 contemporarily. Although the Lublin area is a hot spot of odonate species richness in both the Lublin Upland and central and eastern Poland, it is of little importance for habitat specialists and also endangered and protected species. The species composition of the fauna was analysed in three zones of the city: the outskirts, the urbanized area and the City Centre. The diversity and numbers of dragonflies decreased significantly along this urbanization gradient and some groups of stenotopic species disappeared. The importance of anthropogenic water bodies in maintaining the diversity of dragonflies in urban areas, in particular stormwater ponds and garden ponds, is emphasized.