Old memories are soaring back to life, and new ones are being created, as Hyderabadis witness captivating swarms of dragonflies near various water bodies, lush vegetation, and other areas across the city. What was once a widespread sight is now concentrated in a few pockets, prompting people to pause and admire these expert fliers. Among them are the remarkable Globe Skimmers, known for their incredible migration journey from East Africa to India, including Telangana. These dazzling swarms typically grace the skies during the monsoon season.
Beyond their breathtaking aerial displays – their ability to hover, fly backward, or even upside down – these winged wonders offer even more reasons for us to take notice. Dragonflies are tireless and effective predators, acting as natural pest controllers by preying on mosquitoes and other nuisance insects. Their aquatic nymphs diligently devour mosquito larvae underwater, while the adult dragonflies feast on mosquitoes and midges mid-air. By naturally curbing mosquito populations, they serve as an invaluable, eco-friendly ‘biopesticide,’ safeguarding human health without the need for harmful chemicals or sprays. This insight comes from S. M. Akbar Sharief, a senior education officer at the World Wildlife Fund (Hyderabad), and Chitra Shanker, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, who have been monitoring dragonfly populations around Neknapur lake and other parts of the city.
Ms. Chitra Shanker further explains that dragonflies spend a significant portion of their lives underwater as nymphs, where they breathe dissolved oxygen and prey on other aquatic creatures. Their inability to survive in polluted or oxygen-deprived water makes their presence a direct and reliable indicator of clean, thriving wetlands. Scientists refer to them as bioindicators – natural monitors that signal the health of our ecosystems.
However, the experts have also voiced serious concerns regarding the diminishing and contaminated water bodies within the city. This degradation directly impacts dragonfly diversity, as construction debris, shrinking lakes, and polluted drains have severely reduced their vital breeding grounds. Consequently, the large swarms that were once a common sight after every monsoon are now a rare occurrence.
Despite these challenges, some resilient species continue to thrive in the remaining clean-water pockets of the State. These include the vibrant Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina), the subtle Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis), the delicate Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata), and the far-ranging Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens).