Diversity of Odonates in agricultural fields of Howrah district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The present study documented the odonates (Damselflies and Dragonflies) of agricultural fields of Howrah, West Bengal, India. Agricultural fields are unique ecosystems that provide some odonates to complete their life cycle. So the main aim of this study to prepare a list of those odonates which use these fields. A total number of 17 species of order Odonata were observed, among them 12 species belongs to sub order Anisoptera and 5 species belongs to suborder Zygoptera. Suborder Anisoptera was represented by the family Libellulidae and suborder Zygoptera by the family Coenagrionidae. Species composition was highest in the family Libellulidae (70%) followed by the family Coenagrionidae (30%). Among all agricultural fields Rice fields (13) contain highest number of odonates followed by Sugarcane (5), Sesame (5) and others. Rice field is show highest diversity of odonates showing 76.471% of total odonates. Odonata documentation is highly necessary in order to assess the agroecosystem health. The fact that health of agroecosystem is proportionately at par with the presence of the odonates can be easily perceived from this study.