About Saffron Reedtail Damselfly:
- It is referred to as Indosticta deccanensis and commonly called saffron reedtail because of the saffron bodies.
- This particular species belongs to the family Platystictidae, commonly referred to as shadow damselflies.
- Appearance: They are slender and delicate insects.
- It is a rare species of damselfly endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
- Habitat: They are seen in streams surrounded by thick vegetation and usually found near slow-moving forest streams where they rely on pristine water quality for their lifecycle.
- Prior to this discovery, the distribution of these damselflies was documented in the southern parts of the Western Ghats (In Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
- Significance: The presence of them is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, as they are highly sensitive to environmental changes and pollution.
What are Damselflies?
- They are group of predatory, aerial insects that are in the order Odonata.
- Habitat: Damselflies are found mainly near shallow, freshwater habitats and are graceful fliers with slender bodies and long, filmy, net-veined wings.
- They are generally smaller, more delicate, and fly weakly in comparison with dragonflies.
