Gynacantha khasiaca Rediscovered After More Than a Century

Gynacantha khasiaca, a rare dragonfly species believed to have been lost for over a century, was rediscovered in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Commonly known as the Long-tailed Duskhawker, the species was last recorded in the erstwhile Abor Hills in 1914. The dragonfly is noted for its near-360° vision, enabled by thousands of tiny lenses in its compound eyes. The rediscovery highlights the remarkable biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas and the conservation significance of Namdapha.

APSC Relevance: Biodiversity conservation, species rediscovery and protected areas of Northeast India.