New Dragonfly Species Lyriothemis keralensis Identified from Kerala’s Coastal Plains

New Dragonfly Species Adds to India’s Insect Diversity

Scientists have confirmed the identification of a previously undocumented dragonfly species from Kerala’s coastal belt, named Lyriothemis keralensis . The finding enriches India’s catalogued insect diversity and highlights the ecological value of lowland habitats that often receive limited scientific attention.

Long-Term Fieldwork Leads to Formal Description

The species was described after more than ten years of observation and taxonomic assessment by a research team comprising Dattaprasad Sawant, A. Vivek Chandran, Renjith Jacob Mathews, and Krushnamegh Kunte. Initial sightings date back to 2013 near Varappetty in the Kothamangalam region. Their peer-reviewed study, published in the International Journal of Odonatology , established the dragonfly as distinct after extensive comparative analysis.

Reassessment Corrects Earlier Classification

At first, the Kerala specimens were thought to belong to Lyriothemis acigastra , commonly known as the Little Bloodtail, previously recorded from northeastern India. Continued examination of body structure, behaviour, and museum reference material revealed consistent differences. Cross-checking with historic collections confirmed that the Kerala population represented a separate taxon with stable diagnostic traits.

Morphology and Seasonal Behaviour

The newly described species—popularly called the “Slender Bombardier”—is characterised by a narrow abdomen, a distinctive terminal segment, and unique male reproductive structures. Adult males show a deep red abdomen with contrasting dark markings, whereas females exhibit a broader body with yellow-and-black patterning. Individuals measure roughly three centimetres in length and are most frequently encountered during the monsoon months, when temporary water bodies are abundant.

Adaptation to Human-Modified Landscapes

Field surveys indicate that L. keralensis occupies shaded irrigation channels and seasonal pools within plantation settings, including rubber and pineapple estates. Its presence in cultivated landscapes suggests that small, moisture-rich microhabitats can support specialised odonate species. Researchers note that maintaining such micro-ecosystems through careful land-use practices will be important for the species’ long-term persistence.

Exam-Focused Points

• Lyriothemis keralensis is a dragonfly endemic to Kerala.

• It belongs to family Libellulidae under the order Odonata .

• Initially misidentified as Lyriothemis acigastra (Little Bloodtail).

• Formal description published in the International Journal of Odonatology .

• Dragonflies are widely used as bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health.