Common Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sunder Nursery

Sunder Nursery, located in the heart of Delhi, is more than a heritage park—it's a vibrant urban biodiversity hotspot. Among its most captivating residents are the dragonflies and damselflies, insects that serve as key indicators of ecosystem health. Gillian Wright, in her converssation with Ratish Nanda mentioned having counted around 16 different species of dragonflies at the Sunder Nursey. Read their interview here.

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the park every week and record some of these observation to Sunder Nursery's Citizen Science biodiversity documentation project created on iNaturalist.

Why are dragonflies and damselflies so important you ask? Well, short answer- they are important bioindicators of ecosystem health and they support in insect population control. In the urban areas of Thailand, larvae of the container breeding dragonfly, Granite Ghost (Bradinopyga geminata), which is also found commonly in India, was successfully used to control Aedes mosquito of the Dengue and Chikungunya fever.

Dragonflies not only mesmerise with their jewel-toned bodies and intricate wings but also play crucial ecological roles across freshwater habitats.

There are two kinds of dragonfly species, specialists and generalists. Specialists thrive in more intact natural settings that are relatively free of human development and are often better indicator species, whereas generalists are able to survive in greatly developed areas, such as city neighbourhoods and play an important role in Urban Nature and Urban Biodiversity.

Here's a look at some common generalist species recorded at the Sunder Nursery Garden and their environmental significance.

Let's delve deeper into the ecological importance of some of these dragonflies and damselflies observed at the Sunder Nursery Gardens

Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina)

A common yet vital presence in urban wetlands and rice fields, the Slender Skimmer is a tireless predator of smaller insects, particularly mosquitoes and midges. Both its aquatic larvae and adult form help control pest populations, making it an effective natural mosquito repellent.

Its presence in Sunder Nursery’s ponds is also a subtle indicator of water quality, as this species is sensitive to pollution and habitat degradation.

Why it matters:

✓ Natural mosquito control

✓ Bioindicator of water health

✓ Supports insect community balance

Western Golden Dartlet (Ischnura rubilio)

This dainty damselfly, often flitting through marshy grasslands and wet field edges, plays a quieter but important role in pest management. Feeding on soft-bodied insects, the Western Golden Dartlet contributes to ecological stability.

Although not a pollinator, its position in the food web supports other insectivores like birds and frogs.

Why it matters:

✓ Helps regulate small insect populations

✓ Indicator of habitat

✓ Supports broader food webs

Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum pruinosum)

With its striking crimson tail, this dragonfly is as fierce as it is beautiful. Found around stagnant or slow-moving waters, it is an aggressive hunter of flying insects.

Why it matters:

✓ Keeps insect populations in check

✓ Adds vibrancy to the landscape

✓ Supports broader food webs

Forktails (Ischnura spp.)

Small, nimble, and ecologically significant, forktails are generalist predators favoring clean, plant-rich waters.

Their larvae feed on mosquito larvae, while adults are a key part of the food chain. Since they are moderately sensitive to environmental disturbances, their presence suggests a balanced ecosystem.

Why it matters:

✓ Natural mosquito larva predators

✓ Indicator of moderate ecosystem health

✓ Valuable bioindicators of water quality

Skimmers (Family Libellulidae)

The most diverse dragonfly family, Skimmers are generalist species that can thrive in a variety of aquatic environments—from pristine lakes to disturbed ditches. Their adaptability varies by species, but as a group, they are powerful insect regulators and sensitive markers of both water quality and climate change.

Why they matter:

✓ Control mosquito and pest populations

✓ Reflect environmental resilience or stress

✓ Serve as early warning systems for ecosystem changes

Have you observed any interesting dragonflies or damselflies? Make an observation on iNaturalist! Help Citizen Science!

References

1. https://ucanr.edu/blog/bug-squad/article/introduction-dragonflies-and-spiders

2. https://www.furman.edu/academics/biology/student-experiences/dragonflies/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20kinds%20of,developed%20areas%2C%20such%20as%20neighborhoods.

3. https://watersheds.ca/dragonflies-as-a-bio-indicator-of-water-health/

4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316000748_Dragonflies_as_indicators_of_aquatic_ecosystem_health