Diversity and abundance of Odonata larvae in a fresh water lentic system of Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

In total 19 species of Odonata larva have been recorded from a weed infested manmade Freshwater large lentic system near Tamluk, West Bengal (22017’52.56”N, 87055’16.72”E), India. Family Libellulidae was numerically the most abundant group comprising 66.04 % of the total Odonata larva followed by Family Coenagrionidae (31.92%) and Gomphidae (2.04%) respectively. Family Libellulidae represented by 12 species while Coenagrionidae represented by only 6 species and Gomphidae was represented by only one species. Urothemis and Rhodothemis were largest and lowest number of individuals recorded respectively. The water quality was fairly good during the 11 month study period of 2017-18. Various diversity indices were calculated in different seasons and the result shows maximum diversity and abundance during post-monsoon and minimum was in pre-monsoon. Diversity and evenness indices were fluctuated during study period due to seasonal changes of environmental conditions.