Rare Dragonfly Species Photographed for First Time in Arunachal Pradesh

A rare Spoon-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly ( Gynacantha basiguttata ) has been photographed for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh, with the significant record coming from the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district.

The discovery was shared by Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who described the finding as another notable addition to the state’s biodiversity record. He said the documentation highlighted the extraordinary species diversity continuing to emerge from Arunachal Pradesh’s forests.

The dragonfly was initially photographed in October 2024 along the Miao-Vijaynagar Road in the Namdapha landscape. At the time, it was identified as a different species. However, subsequent taxonomic verification established that the specimen was Gynacantha basiguttata, confirming its presence in the state.

The photographic record marks an important addition to India’s Odonata checklist, which covers dragonflies and damselflies. It also highlights the significant gaps that remain in the scientific documentation of insect diversity across Arunachal Pradesh’s extensive forest ecosystems.

Namdapha, one of India’s major biodiversity-rich landscapes, is known for its exceptional variety of flora and fauna. The protected area has continued to produce noteworthy wildlife records, reinforcing its importance for ecological research and conservation.

The latest finding has also underscored the need for continued biodiversity surveys, taxonomic research and systematic documentation across the state’s forests. Such efforts can help identify species that may remain poorly known or previously unrecorded in the region.

Mein said the discovery once again demonstrated the ecological significance of Namdapha and strengthened Arunachal Pradesh’s position as one of India’s major biodiversity hotspots.

The record of the Spoon-tailed Duskhawker provides another example of how sustained field research can reveal previously undocumented aspects of the region’s rich natural heritage.