A preliminary check list of Odonates from Calicut university campus, Calicut, Kerala, South India

Abstract

Dragonflies and damselflies, collectively called odonates, are one of the most common insects flying over forest, fields, meadows, ponds and rivers. Approximately 6500 extant species in over 600 genera and 28 families are known all over the world. About 474 species in 142 genera and 18 families are identified from India, out of which 154 species are from Kerala. Here we developed a preliminary checklist of Odonata populations found in Calicut University Campus. The study revealed 27 species coming under 4 families and 21 genera. Suborder Anisoptera (dragonflies) were represented by the family Libellulidae, Aeshnidae and Gomphidae while the suborder Zygoptera by the familyrnCoenagrionidae. The two dominant familes of Odonates – Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae – were found to exist in all habitats under the study.