DefinePK

Abstract

The family Libellulidae is a large and diverse family of dragonflies, its members are commonly known as chasers, darters, skimmers, or perchers. Within the order Odonata, this dragonfly family is the most well-known and extensively dispersed, with more than 900 species found all over the world.  Dragonflies are found mostly in temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions. Strong and nimble, the Libellulidae family of dragonflies can perform intricate and quick flight maneuvers. They frequently patrol their territory over bodies of water or perch on plants. They are usually found close to bodies of still or slowly flowing water, like lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. When they reach adulthood, they become predators and eat mostly small flying insects like flies, aphids, grasshoppers, and mosquitoes as well as other small invertebrates. Although their sizes vary, most species fall between 2 and 5 centimeters (cm) in length. Many species exhibit striking colors, with males often displaying more intense colors than females. Colors can vary from red and yellow to blue and green. Libellulidae are important predators and prey in their environments. This research has been carried out to investigate and record the diversity of Libellulidae dragonflies in Taluka Garhi Khairo where the available data is little. Field surveys were conducted in 2021 across various sites within the study area to collect samples. A total of 320 specimens from the Family Libellulidae were collected, representing approximately 8 species and 4 genera. The identified species included Orthetrum cancellatum, Orthetrum chrysis, Orthetrum Sabina, Pantla flevescens, Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum, Acisoma panorpoides, Crocothemis nigriforns and Crocothemis servilia. Dragonflies are extremely agile fliers who play an important role in environments, notably as natural biological control agents by feeding on nuisance insects. The findings offer societies and scientific communities a better comprehension of the ecological significance of the dragonflies as natural regulators of pests and bioindicators of fresh waters of a healthy environment, which is useful to integrated pest management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental monitoring. According to the findings of this study, Garhi Khairo sustains a diversified and abundant population of dragonflies. The study offers a baseline to future ecological, biodiversity and conservation studies in the region.
Keywords: Diversity; Dragonfly; Libellulidae; Maneuver; Odonata; Percher; Pests; Temperate
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2025.140089