Diversity and abundance of odonates (Insecta: Odonata) in selected areas of Hooghly District, West Bengal, India: A comparative study

Dolai et al 2026
Published: Αυγ 1, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/eh.42551
Keywords:
Bioindicators Odonata ecosystem health freshwater habitats habitat conservation anthropogenic pressure
Sayak Dolai
Md Abu Imran Mallick
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:28:"West Bengal State University";}
Shilajit Barua
Abstract

Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) are widely recognized as bioindicator taxa, playing a crucial role in assessing ecosystem health. Rapid urbanization-driven habitat loss and fragmentation pose significant threats to biodiversity at both global and regional scales. This study investigated the diversity and abundance of odonates in selected areas of Hooghly District, West Bengal, India, from January 2021 to December 2023. A total of 41 species were recorded, with the highest representation from the family Libellulidae (63%), followed by Coenagrionidae (22%), Aeshnidae (7%), Platycnemididae (5%) and Gomphidae (3%). Various diversity indices and multivariate statistical analyses were applied to evaluate community structure and ecological patterns. The results revealed high species richness and diversity, with clear variation across habitat types and seasons. This study provides essential baseline information on odonate diversity and distribution in the region and will support future ecological monitoring and conservation planning.

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