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The paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the taxonomic composition of the dragonfly faunas in the Armenian, Iranian and Asia Minor Highlands. Among all the regional faunas of the Mediterranean, the odonatofauna of the Iranian and Asia Minor highlands is the richest, with 97 species each. The odonatofauna of the Armenian Highlands includes 77 species. A specific feature of the Asia Minor odonatofauna is the richness of rheophilic species. Among the representatives of the rheophilic fauna, the Gomphidae family in the Iranian Highlands includes 12 species, the genus Anormogomphus includes 1 species – A. kiritschenkoi Bartenef. There are 7 species in the Gomphidae family in the Armenian Highlands, and 10 species in the Asia Minor Highlands. In the suborder Zygoptera in the Iranian Highlands, the largest family is Coenagrionidae, in which the genus Ischnura is the richest in species. Specific species characteristic of the compared highlands are given. The odonatofaunas of the uplands contain European and Eurasian boreal as well as endemic taxa, which gives the dragonfly fauna a distinctive appearance. Analysis of the odonatofauna of the Asia Minor Highlands shows its eclecticity and species richness. Unlike the dragonfly fauna of the Armenian Highlands, the presence of European species is noticeable in the fauna of the Asia Minor.

Abstract Odonates are important biological control agents for the control of insect pests and insect disease vectors of medical and veterinary importance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the odonate fauna of Swat, Pakistan from March to October 2019. A total of 200 specimens of odonates were collected from diverse habitats. The collected specimens of the order Odonata belonged to 5 families, three families of suborder Anisoptera namely Libellulidae, Gomphidae and Aeshnidae while two families of suborder Zygoptera (Chlorocyphidae and Coenagrionidae). The specimens were categorized into 12 genera and 22 species. Libellulidae was the dominant family (n = 138) accounting for 69% of the odonate fauna. Orthetrum was the dominant genus (n = 73) of suborder Anisoptera accounting for 36.5% of the odonate fauna. The least dominant genera were Anax, Paragomphus and Rhyothemis (n = 5 each) accounting each for 2.5% of the odonate fauna. In Zygoptera, the dominant genus was Ceriagrion (12.5%) and the least dominant genus was Ischnura (6%). Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) was the most abundant odonate species in the study area recorded from all surveyed habitats. Shannon Diversity Index (H) was 2.988 and Simpson Diversity Index (D) was 0.95 for the collected odonate fauna. The highest abundance of Odonata was recorded in August, September and May while no odonate species were recorded in January, February, November and December. Lotic water bodies were the most suitable habitats with abundant odonate fauna. Anax immaculifrons (Rambur, 1842) was the largest sized odonate species having a wingspan of 53.2±1.63 mm and body length of 56.3 ± 0.4 mm. The present study shows the status of odonate fauna of Swat, Pakistan in diverse habitats and seasonsonal variation throughout the year. Further work is recommended to bridge the gaps in the existing literature. Resumo Odonatos são importantes agentes de controle biológico para o controle de insetos-praga e vetores de doenças de insetos de importância médica e veterinária. O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a fauna de odonatos de Swat, Paquistão, de março a outubro de 2019. Um total de 200 espécimes de odonatos foi coletado em diversos habitats. Os espécimes coletados da ordem Odonata pertenciam a cinco famílias, três famílias da subordem Anisoptera, a saber, Libellulidae, Gomphidae e Aeshnidae, enquanto duas famílias eram da subordem Zygoptera (Chlorocyphidae e Coenagrionidae). Os espécimes foram classificados em 12 gêneros e 22 espécies. Libellulidae foi a família dominante (n = 138), respondendo por 69% da fauna de odonatos. Orthetrum foi o gênero dominante (n = 73) da subordem Anisoptera, responsável por 36,5% da fauna de odonatos. Os gêneros menos dominantes foram Anax, Paragomphus e Rhyothemis (n = 5 cada), representando cada um 2,5% da fauna de odonatos. Em Zygoptera, o gênero dominante foi Ceriagrion (12,5%), e o gênero menos dominante foi Ischnura (6%). Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) foi a espécie de odonato mais abundante na área de estudo, registrada em todos os habitats pesquisados. O Índice de Diversidade de Shannon (H) foi de 2,988, e o Índice de Diversidade de Simpson (D) foi de 0,95 para a fauna de odonatos coletados. A maior abundância de Odonata foi registrada em agosto, setembro e maio, enquanto nenhuma espécie de Odonata foi registrada em janeiro, fevereiro, novembro e dezembro. Corpos d’água lóticos foram os habitats mais adequados, com abundante fauna de odonatos. Anax imaculifrons (Rambur, 1842) foi a espécie de odonato de maior tamanho, com envergadura de 53,2 ± 1,63 mm e comprimento do corpo de 56,3 ± 0,4 mm. O presente estudo mostrou o status da fauna de odonatos de Swat, Paquistão, em diversos habitats e variação sazonal ao longo do ano. Recomenda-se trabalho adicional para preencher as lacunas na literatura existente.

Freshwater insects are highly significant as ecosystem service providers, contributing to provisioning services, supporting services, and cultural services. Odonates are dominant predators in many freshwater systems, becoming top predators in fishless ecosystems. One service that odonates provide is the export of matter and energy from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we provide a review of the literature aiming to estimate the density, biomass, and secondary production of odonates and discuss to what extent this order of insects is relevant for the fertilization of terrestrial ecosystems. We found published data on 109 species belonging to 17 families of odonates from 44 papers. Odonata larvae are abundant in freshwater systems, with a mean density of 240.04 ± 48.01 individuals m−2 (±SE). Lentic habitats show much higher densities (104.40 ± 55.31 individuals m−2, N = 118) than lotic systems (27.12 ± 5.09, N = 70). The biomass estimations for odonates indicate values of 488.56 ± 134.51 mg m−2 y−1, with similar values in lentic and lotic habitats, which correspond to annual secondary productions of 3558.02 ± 2146.80 mg m−2 y−1. The highest biomass is found in dragonflies of the Aeshnidae, Corduliidae, and Gomphidae families. The available evidence suggests a significant potential contribution of Odonata to the exportation of material from water bodies to land. This is further strengthened by the ability of adult odonates to migrate and to colonize different types of water bodies.

We describe the first dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) from the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands of far-western North America from nine fossils. Six are assigned to five species in four new, named genera of Aeshnidae: Antiquiala snyderae new genus and species, Idemlinea versatilis new genus and species, Ypshna brownleei new genus and species, Ypshna latipennata new genus and species, and Eoshna thompsonensis new genus and species; we treat one as Aeshnidae genus A, species A; one is assigned to Gomphidae: Auroradraco eos new genus and species; and we treat a ninth, fragmentary fossil of unknown family affinity as Anisoptera indeterminate genus A, species A, which represents a seventh genus and eighth species. The dominance of Aeshnidae is consistent with other Paleocene and Eocene fossil localities. Auroradraco eos is the only fossil Gomphidae in the roughly 66-million-year gap between occurrences in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and the early Oligocene of France. Ypshna appears close to Parabaissaeshna ejerslevense from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark; this is not surprising given Holarctic intercontinental connections at this time and a growing list of insect taxa shared between the Okanagan Highlands and the Fur Formation.

Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) have increasingly been used in understanding species responses to habitat modifications. Here, we reviewed historic odonate records from a tropical district, Pune, from India, and investigated changes in Odonata composition based on primary and secondary data to recreate an account of 180 years of odonatological research. The primary survey was carried out in 52 localities of Pune district from January 2019 to December 2022. We retrieved secondary data from 25 published articles and citizen science records. The dataset was divided into geographical boundaries of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the rest of PMC. Further, we divided the dataset into two types of time boundaries, namely, pre- and post-2010 and time era-wise (mid-nineteenth century, early-twentieth century, late-twentieth century, and early-twenty-first century). We registered a total of 98 species belonging to 52 genera and 10 families from the district (damselflies 36 and dragonflies 62). The PMC region represented 66 odonates under 36 genera and 7 families. Of the 98 recorded species, 70 species under 41 genera and 9 families were recorded during the present survey. Libellulidae was the most speciose family representing 38 species, followed by Coenagrionidae (21), Gomphidae (11) and Aeshnidae (8). Hills were found to be the biodiversity refugia with high species richness within the PMC boundary. Since the mid-nineteenth century there has been an increasing trend in reports of species records from the district primarily due to the rise of sophisticated citizen science platforms. Comparisons of pre- and post-2010 lists suggest the absence of 8 and the recording of an additional 27 odonate species. Perhaps changing land use, rapid urbanization, and data gaps are important factors giving rise to such patterns. Here, we uncover patterns in the odonate records from Pune city and recommend systematic long-term monitoring to identify areas of conservation concern. Our study provides data useful for planning management of urban green and blue spaces of the city.

Abstract In this study, we provide a checklist of the species of Odonata (Insecta) from the state of Santa Catarina (southern Brazil), along with their location records in the municipalities across the state (whenever possible). We compiled 147 species from 60 genera and nine families, making Santa Catarina the second state with the most Odonata species recorded in southern Brazil. The families with the highest number of species were Libellulidae (54 species from 18 genera), followed by Coenagrionidae (36 species from 17 genera), Gomphidae (20 species from ten genera) and Aeshnidae (15 species from eight genera). Several regions of Santa Catarina are unexplored (mostly the westernmost and central regions of the state), whereas the knowledge in the southern coast and the subtropical highland grasslands remains restricted to sparse occurrence records. Moreover, the distribution records in the state show an enormous historical track associated with the establishment of late entomologists in the region. Our study highlights the role of Atlantic Forest biome in maintaining high levels of diversity of Odonata species richness in Brazil and also shows that many areas in subtropical forests in Brazil are not adequately sampled. Resumo Neste estudo, fornecemos um checklist das espécies de Odonata (Insecta) do estado de Santa Catarina (sul do Brasil), juntamente com seus registros de localização nos municípios do estado (quando disponíveis na literatura). Compilamos 147 espécies distribuídas em 60 gêneros e nove famílias, tornando Santa Catarina o segundo estado com mais espécies de Odonata registradas na região Sul do Brasil. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Libellulidae (54 espécies distribuídas em 18 gêneros), seguida por Coenagrionidae (36 espécies distribuídas em 17 gêneros), Gomphidae (20 espécies distribuídas em dez gêneros) e Aeshnidae (15 espécies distribuídas em oito gêneros). Diversas regiões de Santa Catarina seguem inexploradas (principalmente as regiões centrais e do extremo oeste do estado), enquanto conhecimento no litoral sul e campos de altitude subtropicais permanecem restritos a registros pontuais de ocorrência. Além disso, os registros de distribuição no estado mostram um enorme legado histórico associado à fixação de entomologistas tradicionalmente lotados na região. Nosso estudo destaca o papel do bioma Mata Atlântica na manutenção de altos níveis de diversidade da riqueza de espécies de Odonata no Brasil e também mostra que muitas áreas de florestas subtropicais no Brasil não são amostradas adequadamente.

Benthic macroinvertebrates and sediments can act as good indicators of environmental quality. The aim of this study was to assess the accumulation of chemical elements in the Gomphidae (Odonata) collected in the Blyde River. Seven sites were sampled for river sediments assessment and five sites for larvae (naiads) of Gomphidae bioaccumulation analysis. The tissue samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed high levels of all of the tested elements except Cd in the sediment. The mean concentrations of As, Cu and Cr exceeded the standard guideline values, whereas Pb and Zn were below the standard guideline values. In the insect body tissue, the concentrations of most elements were higher than in the sediments. The elements with the highest concentrations were Mn, Zn, Cu, and As. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) showed a tendency for bioaccumulation for almost all of the selected elements in the insect. The BF value was high for Cu, Mn, Sb, and Zn (BF > 1). The high concentrations of elements in the insect body tissue may pose a risk to fish that consume them, and subsequently to humans when fish from the river are consumed. It is therefore important to monitor the river to reduce pollution to prevent health risks in humans, especially in communities that rely on the river for water and food.

Abstract Aim This study aimed to analyze aspects of adult emergence of Phyllocycla Calvert, 1948 (Odonata: Gomphidae) in artificial environments. Samplings were conducted in Sanharó stream, Caxias municipality, Maranhão State, Brazil. Methods Specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Polystyrene boxes were used as rearing sites, and the following methods were analyzed: a) sand; b) strips of filter paper simulating substrate; c) without substrate. For emergence, the rearing sites had their lids removed and were placed inside larger jars with mesh windows, less water, with most of the substrate exposed above the water level. To verify the difference between treatments, the Log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used. Results The curves indicated that emergences occurred more frequently in the initial days of rearing. There was an absence of statistical difference between groups. Despite that, all treatments showed success in emergence, with larvae without substrate emerging more quickly. Conclusions By exploring the use of different substrates in Odonata rearing, this research provides guidelines for optimizing laboratory conditions, helping to overcome experimental challenges and supporting new studies and inventories. Resumo Objetivo Esse estudo teve como objetivo analisar aspectos da emergência de adultos Phyllocycla Calvert, 1948 (Odonata: Gomphidae) em ambientes artificiais. As coletas foram realizadas no riacho Sanharó, Caxias, Maranhão, Brasil. Métodos Os espécimes foram analisados sob estereomicroscópio, sendo identificados ao menor nível taxonômico possível. Foram utilizadas caixas de isopor como criadouros, sendo analisados os seguintes tratamentos: a) areia; b) tiras de papel de filtro simulando substrato; c) sem substrato. Para a emergência, os criadouros tiveram suas tampas retiradas e acondicionados em frascos maiores com janelas de tela, menos água e parte do substrato totalmente fora desta. Para verificar a diferença entre os tratamentos, foram utilizados o teste Log-rank e as curvas de sobrevivência de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados As curvas mostram que as emergências ocorreram mais frequentemente nos primeiros dias de criação. Foi observada ausência de diferença estatística entre os grupos. Apesar disso, todos demonstraram sucesso na emergência, com as larvas sem substrato tendo emergido mais rapidamente. Conclusões Ao explorar o uso de diferentes substratos na criação de Odonata, esta pesquisa fornece diretrizes para otimizar as condições laboratoriais, ajudando a superar desafios experimentais e apoiando novos estudos e inventários.

Asiagomphus coreanus (Doi & Okumura, 1937) belongs to the family Gomphidae in the order Odonata, and has been listed as an endemic species in South Korea. Here, we assembled its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) which is 15,649 base pairs (bp) in length. The A. coreanus mitogeneome consists of a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes] and one major non-coding A + T-rich region which is 846 bp long. The gene arrangement of the species was identical to that of commonly found in the majority of the insects. Phylogenetic analyses using the concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes of the representative odonate mitogenomes by Bayesian inference method revealed that A. coreanus belongs to the Gomphidae family with a strong nodal support (Bayesian posterior probabilities = 1). Unlike previous phylogenetic analyses (with regards to suborder relationships) the suborder Anisozygoptera-which was represented by a single species, Epiophlebia superstes-was placed as the sister to Zygoptera.

The present study depicts the first ever DNA barcoding study of Odonates from the State of Kerala, India. The northern part of the state, which corresponds to the western side of the western ghats, was the focus of the study. The study has been conducted as this region is blessed with ample annual rainfall brought on by the southwest monsoon, making it the ideal habitat for many Odonata species documented here. In total, of the 70 specimens collected, 37 cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences belonging to 31 species were deposited in the public repositories (NCBI and BOLD) for future reference. This report produced five new DNA barcodes consisting of two endemic species ( Onychogomphus malabarensis and Agriocnemis keralensis ), two Coenagrionidae members ( Ceriagrion coromendelianum and Aciagrion occidentale ), and one Libellulidae member ( Lathrecista sp.) from Kerala, along with five novel reports from India. We also checked the inter-family relationships of the six dominant families and analyzed the monophyletic ancestry of the order Odonata. The study predicted monophyletic ancestry in both Zygopterans (damselflies) and Anisopterans (dragonflies) over the taxonomically nearer outgroup (Ephemeroptera) taken for the analysis. This also confirmed the inter-family relationship between these members of the suborders Anisoptera (Libellulidae, Gomphidae, and Aeshnidae) and Zygoptera (Coenagrionidae, Platycnemididae, and Calopterygidae). Thus, the cytochrome oxidase I gene nucleotide substitution analysis attributes neutral evolution to all species, irrespective of their geographical areas.