Abstract:
Damselflies or Zygoptera, an important group of predators and biodiversity indicator, has
been neglected in Pakistan. Partially to redress this, damselflies were collected from
various localities of Pakistan during 2004 – 2008. A total of 1061 damselflies collected,
yielding 51 species in 26 genera and 5 families. Eight species, namely; Libellago lineata
lineata, Libellago greeni, Protosticta hearseyi, Coeliccia vacca, Cylonolestes cyanea,
Ellatoneura souteri, Ellatoneura campioni and Ellatoneura atkinsoni are recorded for the
first time from Pakistan. A new species of Indocnemis ahmedi sp. nov. is described from
Nouseri (AJK) and Dasu (N.W.F.P). All species incorporated into key are illustrated by
their valid names, synonyms, measurement of body parts (abdomen, forewing and
hindwing length), habitat description, sex ratio of collected specimens with their dates of
collection, distribution range, differential characters from published description for new
records to country and comprehensive characters description for new to science specimen
has been provided. The known distribution of all the species is also updated. A map is
provided of the distribution of each of them. Biodiversity indices study indicates that it
was comparatively higher in AJ&K as compared to Punjab, N.W.F.P, Baluchistan, Sindh
and Northern areas respectively. Comparison of all the collected damselflies was done on
area basis as well as on time period basis. Results revealed significant diferences among
3 species and non-significant in 30 species on area basis. On time period basis, 33 species
showed decreased length and 17 species showed increase in length. Sex ratio for whole
collection was also calculated and it was found female biased.
