in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

7. Conduct comprehensive faunisitic work to study the distribution and biology of the odonatespecies. Without this baseline information, conservation measures cannot be undertaken.Research gapsThough the odonates of the island are comparatively well-studied, there are still many gapsin our knowledge. In 10 taxa, only one sex has been described (usually the male). In about75 taxa, the larval stage and exuvia have not yet been described. The distribution of mostspecies is not well-known, particularly those found in the north and east. Several species havenot been seen for more than 50 years (e.g. Sinhalestes orientalis, Heliogomphus nietneri).There are only one or two records for a few species that are not rare in other countries(e.g. Lestes malabaricum and Pseudagrion decorum which are both northern species). Habitatrequirements for the adult and larval stages of most species have not been well-documented.Conclusions and recommendations1. Do comprehensive surveys in order to map the distributions of all species2. Do studies to determine flight times and breeding times, habitat requirements for adults andlarval stages, and behavioural needs especially with regards to courtship, mating andoviposition3. Complete descriptions of both males and females for each species4. Build up a scientifically managed specimen collection in the museum5. Encourage high quality research by facilitating the granting of research permits4. Encourage and fund research at the university level for Masters and PhD studies5. Primary education in schools about the overall importance of biodiversity for the island’sfaunaReferencesBedjaniĉ, M., (2011). On the synonymy of three endemic dragonfly species from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Platystictidae,Protoneuridae). Notulae Odonatologicae, 7(8).Bedjanič, M., (2010). Three new Drepanosticta species from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Odonatologica,39(3), pp.195-215.Bedjanič, M., (2009). Drepanosticta starmuehlneri St. Quentin, 1972 from Sri Lanka, a synonym of D. lankanensis(Fraser, 1931) (Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Notulae Odonatologicae, 7(4), pp.37-44.Bedjanič, M., (2008). Notes on the synonymy, distribution and threat status of Elattoneura oculata (Kirby, 1894), anendemic damselfly from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Protoneuridae). Odonatologica, 37(2), pp.145-150.de Fonseka, T., (2000). The dragonflies of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Wildlife Heritage Trust.Hämäläinen, M., Bedjaniĉ M. & van der Poorten, N., (2009). Libellago indica (Fraser, 1928) deleted from the list ofSri Lankan Odonata (Chlorocyphidae). Echo, 6, pp. 3-5 (published in Agrion, 13(1)).van der Poorten, N., (2011). Palpoleura s. sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1787) deleted from the list of Odonates of SriLanka (Libellulidae). Agrion, 15(2), pp.52-53.van der Poorten, N., (2009a). Lyriothemis defonsekai sp. nov. from Sri Lanka, with a review of the known speciesof the genus (Anisoptera: Libellulidae). Odonatologica, 38(1), pp.15-27.van der Poorten, N., (2009b). Libellago corbeti sp. nov. from Sri Lanka (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae). InternationalnJournal of Odonatology, 12(2), pp.223-230.4