This significant revelation occurred within the boundaries of the Aarey Milk Colony and the pristine surroundings of Sindhudurg, adding a fascinating chapter to the region's natural diversity

Rajesh Sanap, one of the authors of the scientific paper, stated, "Lestes nigriceps, commonly known as the Dark-striped spreadwing, has been rediscovered after nearly a century from Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai Suburban District, and the lateritic plateaus of Sindhudurg District. The findings also highlight the area's rich biodiversity"

The scientific paper, published in the International Journal of Odonatology on October 16, involved a team of researchers, including Shantanu Joshi, Dattaprasad Sawant, Akshay Dalvi, Yogesh Koli, Muhammed Haneef, Rajesh Sanap, and Krushnamegh Kunte

The rediscovery is a testament to the hidden treasures of the Aarey Forest, where nature continues to unveil its secrets, offering valuable insights into the region's unique ecosystems

The damselfly, Lestes nigriceps, is known for its glittering emerald stripes on its thorax, striking turquoise-blue eyes, and the distinctive shape of its abdomen's end organs, called caudal appendages. Spreadwings are recognised for their behavior of perching with partially opened wings, setting them apart from most damselflies that perch with fully closed wings

India is home to 12 species of spreadwings, including the newly rediscovered Dark-striped spreadwing. While the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site and biodiversity hotspot, previously housed only 8 known species, the recent discovery increases the count to 9

The Dark-striped Spreadwing was originally discovered in 1924 in Pusa, Bihar, by British Odonata scientist Lt. Col. F. C. Fraser. Subsequently, the species remained enigmatic until scientist Oleg Kosterin found a population in Eastern Cambodia in 2019. However, the Indian Peninsula had no confirmed records of the Dark-striped Spreadwing until its rediscovery in the Western Ghats

This discovery emphasizes the importance of exploring and conserving the vast uncharted habitats within the Western Ghats, contributing to our understanding of the region's remarkable biodiversity

The Aarey Forest, already renowned for its ecological significance, now boasts a count of 54 Odonate species, thanks to the dedication and expertise of these researchers