Newly discovered Dragonflies in Northeast India

Prelims: Current events of national importance | Biodiversity & Conservation

Why in News?

Recently, Scientists have discovered 3 new species of dragonflies in Northeast India.

3 newly identified species
- Clouded Boghawker (Sarasaeschna nuboides)
- Siang Boghawker (Sarasaeschna sigotaayo)
- Long tailed Boghawker (Sarasaeschna dosdewaensis)

Common Features

Order – Odonata.
Family – Aeshnidae (boghawkers).
Morphology – Large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of wings, elongated body
Vision – Eyes with up to 30,000 facets, nearly 360° vision
Behaviour – Fast flyers, voracious predators of mosquitoes and flies
Evolutionary Note – Predate dinosaurs by over 100 million years
Habitat & Distribution – Found near freshwater habitats worldwide; Northeast India is recognised as an odonate biodiversity hotspot.

Distinct Features

Clouded Boghawker (Sarasaeschna nuboides)
Habitat	Shallow shaded forest ponds in humid valleys
Distribution	Endemic to Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Appearance	Subtle differences in abdominal segment shape and caudal appendages

Clouded Boghawker

Siang Boghawker (Sarasaeschna sigotaayo)
Habitat	Same Siang Valley ponds, perching close to water.
Distribution	Endemic to Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Appearance	Differentiated by male caudal appendage structure and wing venation patterns

Siang Boghawker

Long‑tailed Boghawker (Sarasaeschna dosdewaensis)
Habitat	Forest trail ponds and streams
Distribution	Endemic to Karimganj district, Assam
Appearance	Characterised by elongated abdominal segments (long‑tailed)

Long tailed Boghawker

Ecological Importance
- Predators – Natural control of mosquito populations
- Indicators – Reflect freshwater ecosystem health
- Evolutionary Significance – Ancient lineage, valuable for biodiversity studies.

Quick Facts

Dragonflies and Damselflies – Both belong Odonata and they are found in the same freshwater habitats. But there are key differences listed below –

Dragonflies	Damselflies
Suborder – Anisoptera	Suborder – Zygoptera
Larger, robust	Smaller, delicate
Wings held horizontal at rest	Wings held vertical & together at rest
Strong, fast fliers	Slower, weaker fliers
Eyes are large and often touch at the top of the head.	Eyes are separated, not touching

Reference

Arunachal Observer | Dragonflies in Northeast India