Dragonflies emerge as key indicators of ecosystem health

Dragonflies and damselflies are increasingly being seen as bellwethers of our ecosystems, while researchers continue to unearth new facets of what makes them unique.

In the imagination of children, flying holds a special place. Folded pieces of paper become airplanes, eager gazes follow soaring eagles, and dragonflies are the helicopters of their fantasies.

Dragonflies, called sitara in Hindi, are indeed wonders of flight. These insects belong to a lineage whose members were among the planet’s first flying organisms. About 300 million years ago, their ancient kin had the same aerodynamic features, but with a wingspan that extended to 72 cm.

A blue hawklet spotted in Silent Valley National Park, Keralam, in August 2016, is one such example of the diversity that makes the order a key indicator of environmental health.