Goa's Shadow Dancer

Dragonflies tell us about the health of our wetlands and ecology. Hence the discovery of a new species is heartening news

- Arti Das

IF YOU are in Goa and want to explore the cascading beauty of the Dudhsagar waterfall, which comes in the jurisdiction of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, then you have to cross a village called Collem, in Dharbandora taluka. This pristine village is encompassed with the Western Ghats and Mhadei river flowing through it. To experience it in full bounty one should visit it in monsoon and if you are observant enough than you may even encounter a species of a dragonfly, which is quite new to science. This particular species is reported only in one stream near Collem village and from another location in Kerala.

It is known as Idionyx gomantakensis or “Goan Shadow Dancer”. Idionyx as a genus are weak fliers and can be seen hovering around perennial streams. The genus Idionyx is referred to as the Shadow Dancers due to their behaviour of preferring cloudy overcast weather and also their jumpy hovering flight. They have a peculiar habit of hanging from vegetation.