Study of odonates diversity near Koradi Lake, Koradi, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Abstract

The prominent and colorful insects of wetlands are dragonflies and damselflies (Order: Odonata). These are prevalent near marshy areas, ponds, lakes, rivers, ditches, and other water bodies. They contribute significantly to the biological foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems as herbivores, pollinators, seed dispersers, predators, detritivores, and vectors. They also serve as effective environmental indicators and biocontrol agents. The objective of the present study was to determine the diversity of odonates in the area around Nagpur's Koradi Lake, which is home to a wide variety of birds and insects. Twenty species of Odonates from 15 genera and three families were discovered during the monitoring in the marked areas near the lake. In total, 1071 individual odonates have been observed in the Koradi region. Libellulidae had the most species (12), followed by Coenagrionidae (7 species), and Aeshnidae (1 species). It was noted that urbanisation and pollution could have a negative impact on the diversity of odonates in the Koradi region.