Pune researchers find new damselfly species in southwestern ghats of Kerala, put spotlight on urgent need for climate action

The expedition team included lead researcher Dr Pankaj Koparde, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies at MIT-WPU, Arajush Payra, a PhD Scholar at MIT-WPU, Ameya Deshpande, an MSc Environmental Science Student at MIT-WPU, and Reji Chandran, a wildlife photographer hailing from Kerala.

Scientists also explained that the case of Armageddon Reedtail serves as a solemn reminder that we are at a crossroads.

The team has been surveying Western Ghats as a part of a Department of Science and Technology-funded project related to conservation requirements for the dragonfly and damselfly species. “We were able to identify the new species and the report was published on August 28 this year,” Dr Koparde told The Indian Express.

The newly-found species exhibits a captivating dark brown to black body with vibrant greenish-blue eyes and it features delicate pale blue markings on half of its eight abdominal segments. Its exclusive habitat choice is primary montane streams, where it thrives beneath a dense canopy cover.

The name, Armageddon Reedtail, is a direct reference to the concept of “Ecological Armageddon”, a term used to describe the devastating decline of insect populations around the world.

“This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Insect Apocalypse,” has far-reaching consequences for the entire ecosystem, as insects play crucial roles in pollination, nutrient cycling and as a food source for other animals,” according to Dr Koparde.

“The naming of this new species is not merely an academic exercise; it is a desperate plea for attention. Just as this species faces the threat of extinction due to habitat loss and changing environmental conditions, countless other endemic and endangered insects are on the brink of vanishing forever. We are standing on the precipice of an ecological catastrophe and urgent action is needed to reverse this course. We need a collaborative effort involving scientists, conservationists, policymakers and the public to combat climate change and protect our planet’s biodiversity,” Koparde said.

Scientists also explained that the case of Armageddon Reedtail serves as a solemn reminder that we are at a crossroads. “If we have found this new species then there are several that may have been lost due to multiple factors. The choices we make now will determine the fate of countless species and the health of our planet for generations to come. It’s a call to action that resonates not only within the scientific community but with every individual concerned about the future of our world,” Dr Koparde added.