New Damselfly Species Discovered in Kerala

In Oct 2024, A team of researchers discovered a new species of damselfly in Manjadininnavila, located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

1. This species has been named Agasthyamalai Bambootail (or Agasthyamala Mulavalan in Malayalam) due to its unique characteristics and the region it was found in.

Details of the Discovery:

1. Location: Manjadininnavila is part of the Aryanad grama panchayat and is situated near the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, with the Karamana River running through the area.
2. Naming: The name reflects its discovery in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats. The only other species in this group is the Malabar Bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata), found in the Coorg-Wayanad area of the Ghats.

What are the Characteristics?

1. Appearance: The Agasthyamalai Bambootail has a long, cylindrical body that resembles a bamboo stalk, leading to its nickname, Bambootail or Mulavalan Thumbikal.
2. Differences: This species can be distinguished from the Malabar Bambootail by differences in wing structure and reproductive organs. Researchers found a genetic difference of over 7% in a specific gene (cytochrome oxidase-I) between the two species.

Habitat:

1. The new damselfly was first observed in small streams flowing into the Karamana River.
2. This finding emphasizes the importance of protecting habitats outside reserved forests for biodiversity conservation.
3. The species has also been recorded in Ponmudi hills and Bonacaud.

Key Facts About Damselflies

1. Damselflies are slender, predatory insects in the order Odonata, often found near shallow, freshwater areas.
2. Appearance: They are generally smaller and more delicate than dragonflies, with long, thin bodies and net-veined wings.
3. Eyes: Unlike dragonflies, damselflies have widely separated eyes.
4. Colors: Many species display vibrant colors.
5. Wingspan: Wingspans range from 18 mm (0.71 inch) to 19 cm (7.5 inches) in some large species.

Comparison with Dragonflies

1. Dragonflies belong to the suborder Anisoptera and include around 3,000 species.
2. Wings: Dragonflies have two pairs of differently shaped wings, while damselflies have wings that are similar in shape.
3. Habitat: Both types of insects are commonly found near freshwater but have different flight and body characteristics.

Conclusion

The discovery of the Agasthyamalai Bambootail damselfly highlights the rich biodiversity of Kerala's ecosystems and the importance of preserving both protected and unprotected habitats. This finding contributes to our understanding of insect diversity in the Western Ghats and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts.

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