Spiny Horntail

In News 

  • Recently , Rare dragonfly named Spiny Horntail was discovered in the Kottiyoor forests of Kannur of Kerala.

Image Courtesy:TH

About 

  • The species that is known to be endemic to the Western Ghats was discovered in Maharashtra earlier this year.
    • Prior to their finding, the dragonfly genus Burma Gomphus was represented by three species – B. cauvericus, B. pyramidalis and B. laidlawi. 
      • B. laidlawi is found throughout the Western Ghats
      • B. cauvericus is more restricted in its distribution. 
      • B. pyramidalis is found in the Western Ghats as well as in Peninsular India. 
      • All other species of the genus are found in the Western and Eastern Himalayas.
  • The new species can be separated from its congeners by the markings on the lateral thorax and peculiar shape of anal appendages.
  • The discovery demanded more detailed studies of odonates in the areas of Kerala that form part of the Western Ghats.

Dragonfly

  • Dragonfly, (suborder Anisoptera), also called darner, devil’s arrow, or devil’s darning needle, any of a group of roughly 3,000 species of aerial predatory insects most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world
  • Dragonfly species are characterised by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings that, while generally transparent, may have coloured markings
  • Dragonflies have a more powerful build and are generally much stronger fliers than damselflies

Source:TH