New Dragonfly Species Discovered in Kerala | 11 Feb 2026

Source: TH 

Researchers have identified a new dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis, in Kerala, extending its known range beyond northeast India and highlighting the State’s rich biodiversity. 

• About: Although present in Kerala since 2013, it was misidentified for over a decade as Lyriothemis acigastra, until detailed microscopic and museum specimen comparisons confirmed its distinct identity. 
• Features: The species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism, with males being bright blood-red with black markings and females yellow with black markings. 
• Seasonality: It is seasonally visible during the Southwest Monsoon (late May to August) and persists as aquatic larvae during the rest of the year. 
• Concerns: It thrives in human-modified irrigation landscapes such as pineapple and rubber plantations and shaded canals, with most populations occurring outside protected areas, underscoring the need for biodiversity-sensitive land-use practices in plantation-dominated regions.