Dragonfly survey in Delhi brings good news: Surge in count, new species logged

At the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Yellow-tailed Ashy Skimmer (Potamarcha congener) has been recorded for the first time. “This species (of dragonfly) is found across the northern and northwestern plains. We are observing it here for the first time,” said Dr Faiyaz Khudsar, Scientist-in-Charge,Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

He also noted that Kalindi also logged wider diversity this year. Kalindi and Kamla Nehru Ridge together accounted for more than half of the citywide count. Kamla Nehru Ridge led the citywide tally with 3,935 individuals and 26 species, followed by Kalindi (3,682 individuals and 20 species) and Aravalli (2,249 individuals and 16 species).

Yamuna recorded 1,730 individuals across 21 species; Tughlaqabad 1,061 across 14; Neela Hauz 523 across 15; and Tilpath Valley 73 across 6. Wandering Glider dominated sightings in several parks, while Ditch Jewel topped counts at Tughlaqabad and Neela Hauz.

Compared to last year, the tally climbed in Aravalli (10 to 16), Kalindi (14 to 20) and Neela Hauz (5 to 15). The count at Kamla Nehru Ridge rose from 25 to 26 and from 12 to 14 at Tughlaqabad park. While Yamuna held steady at 21, Tilpath saw a drop (from 7 to 6).

Dragonflies and damselflies are bioindicators or species whose presence tracks wetland health. Their larval stages require clean, well-oxygenated water, and both larvae and adults are voracious mosquito predators.

Delhi is known to host about 51 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), and the annual post-monsoon survey, which is conducted with University of Delhi students, helps the parks gauge ecosystem recovery and resilience, as per a statement by the DDA Biodiversity Parks programme.

A single dragonfly is reported to eat 30-100 mosquitoes per day, the statement said, underscoring its importance especially after floods.

“After the monsoon this year, incidents of vector-borne illness have remained less than expected even after excessive water-logging because of dragonflies and damselflies… This year rain has allowed many ephemeral water bodies. That allowed breeding,” Dr. Khudsar said. Two years ago, erratic rains had restricted breeding and affected growth, he added.

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