Odonata Diversity in the Gangetic Plain of West Bengal

The diversity and abundance of the Odonata documented from the Gangetic plain of West Bengal covering two types of habitats revealed its primarily aquatic nature (Oxbow Lake, Purbasthali). The other sites were predominantly grasslands, with smaller water bodies around (RRS, Chinsurah and DVC canal, Baidyabati). A total of 40 species were documented belonging to 31 genera and 5 families, with dominant families under the suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera being Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae, respectively. Shannon- Wiener diversity index indicates that Oxbow Lake, Purbasthali has the most diverse fauna, with a higher relative abundance for Anisoptera compared to the Zygoptera.