Spoon-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly photographed in Arunachal Pradesh

Researchers have documented the first verifiable photographic record of the rare Spoon-tailed Duskhawker (Gynacantha basiguttata) dragonfly in Arunachal Pradesh. The specimen was photographed in October 2024 along the Miao-Vijaynagar Road within the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Changlang district.

Originally described from the Philippines and native to parts of Southeast Asia, this large predatory dragonfly is known for its crepuscular behavior, being most active during dawn and dusk. Key identifying features include spoon-shaped male anal appendages, a black T-shaped marking on the head, and an unstriped olive-green thorax.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein noted that the discovery highlights the extraordinary species diversity emerging from the state's forests and reinforces Arunachal Pradesh's status as a major biodiversity-rich region in India.