The ‘missing’ insect that is raising alarm bells about one of world’s best biodiversity hotspots

Rapid urbanisation in India's Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is causing a decline in dragonfly and damselfly species. A two-year survey found that only 65 per cent of historically known odonate species were recorded in the region, suggesting a potential 35 per cent missing or undetected species decline. Researchers warn of intensifying threats to wildlife due to infrastructure development, pollution, land-use changes, and climate change, which are contributing to the decline of these species.