New Delhi: Two new species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded in Delhi for the first time during a three-day survey conducted across seven biodiversity parks.The two are often regarded as nature’s “mosquito hunters” as they feed on a variety of insects, including mosquitoes.The yellow-tailed ashy skimmer, a dragonfly, was spotted at Aravali biodiversity park, while the blue grass dart, a damselfly, was found at Yamuna biodiversity park. Yellow-tailed ashy skimmer (potamarcha congener) often perches itself on dry twigs near ephemeral ponds, marshes and man-made tanks. Blue grass dart (pseudagrion microcephalum) is often seen sitting on water plants in lakes and in marshes with well-developed vegetation at the banks, said officials.The annual survey, conducted from Sept 17 to 19 at DDA’s seven biodiversity parks, recorded the highest number of species (23) of these flies at Yamuna biodiversity park, up from 21 each in 2023, 2024 and 2025. At Aravali biodiversity park, 16 species were reported, the same number as in previous years.However, Kamla Nehru Ridge saw a decline in the number of species from 26 in 2025 to 22 this year. Similarly, the number of species decreased from 14 last year at Tughlaqabad biodiversity park to 12 this year.At Kalindi biodiversity park, the number of species fell to 15 this time, as against 20 last year. Neela Hauz biodiversity park and Tilpath Valley biodiversity park recorded 13 and four species, respectively, in 2026, compared with 15 and six in 2025, respectively.Faiyaz Khudsar, biodiversity expert and scientist in charge of the biodiversity parks programme, said that after the city initially received heavy rain, it was followed by a prolonged dry spell. “This may have led to the unusual drying up of ephemeral water bodies, especially in the parks in Aravali hill ranges, leading to a dip in the number of these flies,” said Khudsar.He said dragonflies have complex life cycles and highly specific habitat needs that make them difficult to raise and release on any meaningful scale for mosquito control.“Most of their lives are spent as aquatic nymphs, in ponds or wetlands for months or even years. These nymphs are territorial and predatory, and require clean, stable aquatic environments. Therefore, only clean and functional wetland ecosystems can sustain their populations, which in turn helps in mosquito control in surrounding areas. Restored DDA biodiversity parks provide such pristine ecosystems,” said Khudsar.Dragonflies and damselflies are an ancient order of insects known as odonata. “India is home to around 600 species in this order, which includes dragonflies and the slender damselflies. Fifty-one species of these insects are known in Delhi and the majority of them are found in DDA’s seven Biodiversity Parks. To monitor and document these ancient flying creatures, annual surveys are undertaken by scientists, researchers and students,” said Aisha Sultana, biodiversity expert.Mohd Faisal, another expert, said a single dragonfly eats 30 to 100 mosquitoes per day and also mosquito larvae.
