ODONATA

Mitra, Bulganin, Shah, Suresh Kumar & Mishra, Purnendu, 2018, Insect Fauna associated with the Tea Ecosystem of North Bengal, India, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 118 (2), pp. 178-178 : 178-

Order ODONATA

The Odonata is an important insect order which comprises of fascinating and harmless insects popularly known as dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damsel flies (Zygoptera). Odonates are amphibiotic and diverse in nature. Many of these species inhabit wide variety of natural fresh water habitats, though there are some species which have adapted themselves to man-made water bodies. Being habitat specific and sensitive to habitat change their presence or absence indicates the quality of an ecosystem. They are considered as beneficial insects because their larvae (aquatic) and adults (terrestrial) are predators. Thus, assist in control of insect pest populations.

12 species under 08 genera belonging to 02 families of the order Odonata were reported from diferent tea gardens of North Bengal. The family Libellulidae shared 09 species and the family Coenagrionidae shared 03 species.

Das et al. (2010) observed that in sub Himalayan tea plantations of North Bengal, 4% of the predatory insects comprised of odonates. Present study documented Orthetrum sabina (Drury) (**) predates on the Hyposidra talaca (Walker) in the tea gardens of North Bengal ( Table 7).

of North Bengal

Family LIBELLULIDAE

1 Crocothemis erythraea (Brulle, 1832)

2 Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773)

3 Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842)

4 Neurothemis fulvia (Drury, 1773)

5 Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865)

6 Orthetrum pruinosum (Burrneister, 1839)

7** Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770)

8 Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

9 Trithemis festiva (Rambur, 1842)

Family COENAGRlONIDAE

10 Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865)

11 Pseudagrion microcephalum (Rambur, 1842)

12 Pseudagrion rubriceps (Selys, 1876)