Description

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Context

A group of researchers have discovered a new species of damselfly in the Wayanad landscape of the Western Ghats.

Named Euphaea wayanadensis this species marks Kerala’s 191st recorded odonate species including dragonflies and damselflies and the 223rd one to be documented from the Ghats.

Taxonomic Classification

Category	Details
Family	Euphaeidae (Gossamerwings)
Order	Odonata
Group	Damselfly

Discovery & Geographic Range

Aspect	Details
First Observed	2013 at Kalindi River, Thirunelli, Wayanad, Kerala
Region	Western Ghats that is Kerala and Karnataka
Habitat Type	Fast flowing hill streams with rocky beds and aquatic vegetation

Identification & Differentiation

Feature	Description
Misidentification	Initially mistaken for Euphaea pseudodispar (found in Maharashtra)
Confirmed As New Species	Through detailed morphological and genetic analysis
Distinctive Hind Wing	Longer black patch than other Euphaea species
Male Colouration	Bold and uninterrupted humeral and antehumeral stripes
Genital Structure	Unique vesicle in males distinguishing it from closely related species

Ecology and Behaviour

Aspect	Description
Habitat Preference	Evergreen and semi evergreen forests especially stream banks
Activity Pattern	Active year round except during dry months (March and April)
Altitude Range	Mid to high elevations in the Western Ghats

Damselflies

They belong to the suborder Zygoptera within the order Odonata.

They are delicate, predatory insects commonly found near freshwater habitats.

They are characterized by their slender bodies, long filmy wings and graceful flight.

Damselflies play a crucial role in ecosystems as both predators and prey contributing to the control of insect populations and serving as indicators of environmental health.

Their presence and diversity can reflect the quality of freshwater habitats making them important subjects of conservation and ecological studies.

Notable damselfly families

Family	Common Name	Key Characteristics	Notable Genera
Calopterygidae	Broad-winged Damselflies	Large, brightly colored bodies Broad wings with extensive pigmentation Often exhibit metallic hues Prefer slow moving or still waters	Calopteryx, Matrona, Neurobasis
Lestidae	Spreadwings	Typically hold wings partially open when at rest Slender bodies Males often have distinct terminal appendages Inhabit marshes and ponds	Lestes, Austrolestes, Archilestes
Coenagrionidae	Narrow winged Damselflies	Small to medium sized Clear wings held together above the body when at rest Diverse color patterns, often with blue and black markings Found in a variety of aquatic habitats	Coenagrion, Ischnura, Enallagma
Platycnemididae	White-legged Damselflies	Notable for widened tibiae (appearing like white legs) Prefer streams and rivers Exhibit various colorations and patterns	Platycnemis, Copera
Euphaeidae	Gossamerwings	Medium to large size Often have metallic colored bodies Wings may have distinct markings or iridescence Typically found near forest streams	Euphaea, Dysphaea