An inventory of odonates of central Gujarat, India

Abstract

An inventory of Odonata was carried out in six districts of central Gujarat from 2012 to 2014. A total of 42 species belonging to 27 genera, under seven families and two suborders were recorded. A total of 16 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 26 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Anand District was surveyed intensively and as a result a maximum of 35 species was recorded (Dragonfly 22 and Damselfly 13), whereas less intensively surveyed districts, i.e., Panchmahal (17) and Dahod (16) had comparatively low species richness. Twenty-two species are being reported for the first time from central Gujarat, raising the total list of odonates to 48. Six species reported in an earlier survey were not encountered during this study. Seven species namely, Copera marginipes, Pseudagrion microcephalum, Anaciaeschna jaspidea, Anax immaculifrons, Epophthalmia vittata, Brachydiplax sobrina, Tramea basilaris burmeisteri are being recorded for the first time from Gujarat State. Hence, now the checklist of the odonates of Gujarat is raised to 65 species.