Gynacantha khasiaca
Why in News?
Gynacantha khasiaca is prominently in the news because this extremely rare and elusive dragonfly species has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh after a gap of 110 years.
Biological Profile & Scientific Classification
- The insect was recently photographed and documented inside the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in the state’s Changlang district.
- Scientific Nomenclature: Gynacantha khasiaca Maclachlan, 1896.
- Common Name: Long-tailed Duskhawker.
- Taxonomic Hierarchy: Belongs to the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and the family Aeshnidae.
- Physical Description:
- Visually striking with prominent, pale blue-green compound eyes.
- Features a bright green thorax marked with dark stripes.
- Possesses clear, transparent amber-tinted wings.
- Characterized by an elongated, long black-tipped abdomen.
Key Behavioural & Ecological Traits
- Crepuscular Behaviour: Unlike typical daytime dragonflies, members of the Gynacantha genus are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
- Advanced Visual System: Features massive compound eyes equipped with thousands of microscopic lenses and photoreceptor units. This provides the insect with near-360° vision and extreme sensitivity to motion.
- Flight Dynamics: Capable of rapid territory patrolling, swift maneuvering, and hovering almost motionlessly in mid-air to ambush prey.
- Preferred Habitat: Survives by hiding in shaded forests during peak daylight. It relies heavily on pristine, slow-moving water bodies within dense tropical and sub-tropical riverine rainforests to complete its life cycle.
Geographical Distribution & Biodiversity Context
- Global Footprint: Outside India, the Long-tailed Duskhawker is reported in sparse, scattered pockets across Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- Domestic Distribution: Within India, sporadic records exist outside Arunachal Pradesh across Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
- Regional Hotspot: India hosts 504 species of Odonata, out of which Arunachal Pradesh alone boasts 110 species, making the state a vital sanctuary for freshwater insect conservation.
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