New Dragonfly Species Lyriothemis keralensis Discovered in Kerala After 10 Years

• Scientists officially named a new dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis, after it was first spotted in Kerala in 2013.
• Initially mistaken for a known species, recent research confirmed its unique identity, earning it the common name "Slender Bombardier."
• Males feature deep red abdomens with black markings, while females display yellow and black colors, both measuring about 3 centimeters.
• The discovery, published in the International Journal of Odonatology, involved scientists Dr. Dattaprasad Sawant, Dr. A. Vivek Chandran, Renjith Jacob Mathews, and Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte.
• Uniquely, Lyriothemis keralensis thrives in farmland landscapes, rubber and pineapple plantations, and shaded canals, challenging typical dragonfly habitat preferences.