003. Euphaea wayanadensis – A New Jewel of the Western Ghats 🧬
Environment & Biodiversity, GS3, Ecology, Western Ghats
By IAS Monk / April 4, 2025
🔍 Discovery Highlights
- Euphaea wayanadensis – a newly identified damselfly
- Found near Kalindi River, Wayanad, Kerala
- Increases odonate count to:
- 191 in Kerala
- 223 in Western Ghats
- Misidentified earlier as Euphaea pseudodispar
🦋 Morphological Uniqueness
| Trait | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|
| Hind Wing | Large black patch unique among peers |
| Body Markings | Broader, continuous male stripes |
| Genital Vesicle | Unique structural configuration (taxonomic differentiator) |
🌿 Habitat & Behaviour
- Inhabits fast-flowing forest streams with rocky beds
- Found in evergreen & semi-evergreen zones
- Active year-round, except peak summer (March–April)
- Micro-endemic – limited to specific stream corridors
🌎 Why It Matters
- Adds to biodiversity inventory of a global hotspot
- Helps track climate change sensitivity in forest streams
- Calls for microhabitat conservation in Western Ghats
✨ Closing Whisper
“In the shimmer of a wing above mountain waters,
Wayanad whispers a name that was always waiting to be heard.”
🔥 A Thought Spark – by IAS Monk
Every new species discovered is a footnote in Earth’s great poem —
and a question mark on our responsibility.
