Biodiversity of Odonata in South Gujarat

Dragonflies and damselflies collectively known as Odonates (Order- Odonata) are prominent and colourful insects of wetlands. Total 37 species belong to 28 genera, eight families and two suborders were collected and reported from seven districts of south Gujarat and four species viz. Gynacantha dravida (Lieftinck), Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur), Tramea limbata (Desjardins) and Zyxomma petiolatum (Rambur) of odonates are being reported for the first time from Gujarat state simultaneously, photographic catalogue of 37 species of odonates of south Gujarat has been documented. The diversity of odonates was found in different habitats viz.Ponds (33 species), Costal belts (four species), Rivers (19species), Mountain and hilly areas (seven species), Forest area (14 species), Irrigation canals (20species), Sewage and industrial effluents(five species) and Paddy fields (18 species). Community structure of the odonates at Navsari recorded the highest odonates population in village pond compared to summer and kharif paddy habitat. Simultaneously, diversity index was highest in South Gujarat (3.61) followed by kharif paddy (2.89) and summer paddy (2.83).