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Konkan Shadowdamsel and Crimson Shadowdamsel are two newly discovered species of damselflies in the Western Ghats region of India, announced in August 2025.
 
Discovery and Habitat

• Konkan Shadowdamsel was discovered in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.
• Crimson Shadowdamsel (scientifically named Protosticta sanguinithorax) was found in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district.
• Both species belong to the group commonly called Shadowdamsels, known for their affinity to well-shaded forest habitats.

Appearance

• The Konkan Shadowdamsel features a coffee-brown ground colouration.
• The Crimson Shadowdamsel stands out with a reddish body.
• These traits distinguish them from the previously known Red-spot Shadowdamsel (Protosticta sanguinostigma), which is jet black.

Ecological Significance

• Shadowdamsels thrive in pristine forest habitats and small streams.
• They are sensitive to environmental changes and can act as indicators of forest health and pollution, surviving only in habitats with clean water and robust canopy cover.
• Many species in this group are microendemics, restricted to small hill ranges in the Western Ghats.

Conservation Relevance

• The newly found species were discovered outside protected areas, raising concerns over threats from habitat loss, plantation expansion, and cutting down of shade trees essential for their survival.
• Their conservation status still needs to be formally assessed.

Damselflies Overview

• Damselflies (Order: Odonata) are predatory, aerial insects found near shallow, freshwater habitats.
• They are generally more delicate and fly more weakly compared to dragonflies, featuring slender bodies and net-veined wings.

These discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity and endemism of the Western Ghats, reinforcing the need for conservation and further surveys in these forested landscapes.

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