Collection of watching dragonflies and damselflies

A fascinating hobby is gaining ground among naturalists around the world in recent times. It is all about watching dragonflies and damselflies. These insects are collectively called ‘Odonates' by scientists. So, like butterfly watching and birding, a new interest is catching up: odonate watching, or ‘oding'.

Acrobat of the paddy fields :A Long-legged Marsh Glider (Trithemis pallidinervis).


Useful insects

Jewel of the hill streams : Brilliant wing patterns of the male Stream Ruby (Rhinocypha bisignata) damselfly attracts mates and deters competitors.



Peculiar lifestyles

Odonates lay their eggs in the water, damp soil and aquatic plants. The larvae live under water stalking aquatic prey, whereas the winged adults are skilled predators catching insects in the air. Dragonflies tend to prefer open areas as well as near water and perch with wings held open, whereas damselflies are frequently seen along streams sitting with wings held over their backs.

Observing odonates

Beautiful red :Ruddy Marsh Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia).




Ruddy Marsh Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia)

Dragonflies of India - A Field Guide by K.A. Subramanian is the first photographic guide to the Indian Odonates. Of the 536 species and subspecies of Indian odonates, 111 of them were described with English common names of the Indian dragonflies and damselflies for the first time. This book is published by Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and is available as an e-book from their website ( http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/digilib/Showmetaxml.aspx?BookID=364). The book costs Rs. 125.

Butterfly vision, wing pigments linked

Butterflies that have a spare gene allowing them to see ultraviolet colors also have UV-yellow pigment on their wings. The UV-yellow color may help the butterflies survive by facilitating the search for appropriate mates. Butterfly experts have suspected for more than 150 years that vision plays a main role in explaining wing colour diversity. Now, for the first time, the research proves this theory true — at least in 9 Heliconius species.

“They’re not wasting their time chasing after the mistaken mate,” said Briscoe, associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology and lead author of the study, available online recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Butterflies residential a copy of their UV-vision gene and began displaying UV-yellow pigment 12 million to 25 million years ago, the scientists think. Of the 14,000 butterfly species in the world, only the Heliconius living in the forests of Mexico and Central and South America are known to have the spare gene.

Butterflies with just one UV-vision gene had yellow wing pigment that was not UV. However, the pigment was UV in butterflies with mutually genes, according to a University of California, Irvine press release. It was earlier thought that wing-colour mimicry emerged as a defense mechanism to confuse predators such as birds. This created a problem, though: Butterflies that evolved to look alike had a tough time identifying the right species with which to mate. Having both genes allows molecules to form in the eyes that are more receptive to UV light.

Rescued budgerigars : Birds are Saety in House

CHENNAI: The squawking of Alexandrine Parakeets fills the 20x12 room at a house in suburban Thillai Ganga Nagar, while other smaller birds make an equal effort to attract visitors with their calls. Welcome to the Dax Memorial Animal Rehabilitation and Resource Centre.



The centre currently houses 50 birds of various species, which have been rescued by people and handed over to an animal welfare organization. The founder of the centre, Ranjit Daniels, says that the idea of rescuing birds ongoing in a small way nearly eight years ago and the centre has now turned into a full-fledged home for rehabilitating birds chased by dominant ones such as crows. Chicks of different birds that fall from their nests and others rescued by people also find a place.

The rescued birds are mostly released into forest areas suitable for them. Newly, a pair of barn owls, which came as chicks to the centre, was released into the Nanmangalam forests.

Silver Pheasant Bird Pair: New attractions at Vandalur zoo

CHENNAI: Three pairs of ring-necked pheasants, 2 pairs of red jungle fowls and a pair of silver pheasant are the new attractions at the Vandalur zoo.

The birds were given by the Kanpur zoo under an exchange programme.

In turn, the Vandalur bird zoo authorities have given the Kanpur zoo two pairs of grey pelicans, painted storks, grey herons, night herons, blossom-headed parakeets and Alexandrian parakeets near a pair of white pea fowl.

The birds from the Kanpur zoo were brought in a special cage, which was booked as bundle in Lucknow Express.

A Range Officer from the Lucknow bird zoo and 2 assistants brought the birds from there, said Vandalur zoo authorities.

Talking about aquatic bird population at the zoo, the authorities said that they were propagation very well at the zoo. Till recently, the authorities used to release the excess number of birds into the Otteri Lake located inside the zoo. However, at a meeting held recently, the authorities decisive to exchange the aquatic birds for some other species of birds with other zoos in the country.

At least 2 to 3 days are needed to pack the birds in envelopment's to be taken to the Kanpur zoo.