Odonata, comprising dragonflies and damselflies, are integral to the health and sustainability of wetland ecosystems. These insects serve as both apex predators in aquatic habitats and key prey species in terrestrial food webs, ensuring ecological balance. In their larval stage, Odonata contributes to nutrient cycling and water quality by preying on detritivores and controlling populations of aquatic pests, such as mosquitoes. As adults, they help regulate terrestrial insect populations, acting as natural pest control agents. Additionally, Odonata are bioindicators of wetland health, responding sensitively to changes in water quality, habitat structure, and climate conditions. Their presence and diversity reflect the ecological integrity of wetland systems, making them invaluable for monitoring environmental changes. This review highlights the multifaceted ecological roles of Odonata, emphasizing their importance in trophic dynamics, ecosystem services, and conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and wetland functionality. Recognizing their ecological contributions is crucial for designing sustainable management strategies for wetland habitats globally.

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1. Corbet PS. Dragonflies: behaviour and ecology of Odonata. 1999.
2. Corbet PS. Biology of odonata. Annu Rev Entomol. 1980;25(1):189–217.
3. Rowe R. Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Aust J Entomol. 2003;42(2):210–1.
4. Bhatia S, Kumari N. Odonata unveiled: A differential diagnosis of recent odonata species discovered in India. Uttar Pradesh J Zool. 2024;45(18):685–694.
5. Kalkman VJ, Clausnitzer V, Dijkstra KD, Orr AG, Paulson DR, Van Tol J. Global diversity of dragonflies (Odonata) in freshwater. Freshw Anim Divers Assess. 2008:351–363.
6. Clausnitzer V, Kalkman VJ, Ram M, Collen B, Baillie JE, Bedjanič M, et al. Odonata enter the biodiversity crisis debate: the first global assessment of an insect group. Biol Conserv. 2009;142(8):1864–1869.
7. Subramanian KA, Babu R. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of India. In: Indian Insects. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2019. p.29–45.
8. Makin H. Dragonflies and Damselflies. In: Oxford University Press eBooks. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press; 2022. doi:10.1093/oso/9780192898623.001.0001.
9. Maasri A, Thorp JH. Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin. In: Elsevier eBooks. Amsterdam (NL): Elsevier; 2023. doi:10.1016/c2019-0-04271-9.
10. Abbott J. Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). In: Elsevier eBooks. Amsterdam (NL): Elsevier; 2009. p.394–404. doi:10.1016/b978-012370626-3.00183-6.
11. Gómez-Tolosa M, Mendoza-Cuenca L, Rivera-Velázquez G, Rioja-Paradela TM, Tejeda-Cruz C, Pérez-Farrera MA, et al. Using the ecological relationships of Odonata with a habitat integrity index to test the biodiversity ecosystem function framework. J Insect Conserv. 2022;26(2):191–203. doi:10.1007/s10841-022-00377-4.
12. Stav G, Blaustein L, Margalit Y. Influence of nymphal Anax imperator (Odonata: Aeshnidae) on oviposition by the mosquito Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera: Culicidae) and community structure in temporary pools. PubMed. 2000;25(2):190–202.
13. Adeleke SO, Sanni RO, Adebayo VJ, Olaseewo NA, Abdulwakeel KD. ODONATA: Characterisations and their Ecosystem Services. In: Adegbie KS, Akinsemolu AA, Akintewe BN, editors. Exploring STEM frontiers: A festschrift in honour of Dr. FO Balogun. SustainE; 2024.
14. Edgehouse M, Brown CP. Predatory luring behavior of Odonates. J Insect Sci. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1093/jisesa/ieu008.
15. Choo MZ, Low BW, Ngiam RW, Yeo DC. Predation of mosquitos by Odonates in a tropical urban environment: insights from functional response and field mesocosm experiments. Biol Control. 2021;161:104702. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104702.
16. Arthiyan S, Eswaramohan T, Hemphill A, Surendran SN. Predatory potential of nymphal Odonates on aedes aegypti developing in freshwater and brackish water habitats. Insects. 2024;15(7):547. doi:10.3390/insects15070547.
17. Arnaud S, Kari K, Lenin C, André M, Olga P, Justin P, et al. Odonata Trophic Ecology. In: Oxford University Press eBooks. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press; 2022. p.219–232. doi:10.1093/oso/9780192898623.003.0016.
18. Crowder LB, Cooper WE. Habitat structural complexity and the interaction between bluegills and their prey. Ecology. 1982;63(6):1802. doi:10.2307/1940122.
19. Cummins KW, Klug MJ. Feeding ecology of stream invertebrates. Annu Rev Ecol Syst. 1979;10(1):147–172. doi:10.1146/annurev.es.10.110179.001051.
20. Tiple AD, Paunikar S, Talmale SS. Dragonfies and Damselfies (Odonata: Insecta) of Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, central India. J Threat Taxa. 2012;4(4):2529–33.
21. Allan JD, Castillo MM, Capps KA. Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling in Aquatic Communities. In: Springer eBooks. Cham (CH): Springer; 2021. p.357–381. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61286-3_12.
22. White EL, Hunt PD, Schlesinger MD, Corser JD, deMaynadier PG. Prioritizing Odonata for conservation action in the northeastern USA. Freshw Sci. 2015;34(3):1079–1093. doi:10.1086/682287.

Odonata, comprising dragonflies and damselflies, are integral to the health and sustainability of wetland ecosystems. These insects serve as both apex predators in aquatic habitats and key prey species in terrestrial food webs, ensuring ecological balance. In their larval stage, Odonata contributes to nutrient cycling and water quality by preying on detritivores and controlling populations of aquatic pests, such as mosquitoes. As adults, they help regulate terrestrial insect populations, acting as natural pest control agents. Additionally, Odonata are bioindicators of wetland health, responding sensitively to changes in water quality, habitat structure, and climate conditions. Their presence and diversity reflect the ecological integrity of wetland systems, making them invaluable for monitoring environmental changes. This review highlights the multifaceted ecological roles of Odonata, emphasizing their importance in trophic dynamics, ecosystem services, and conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and wetland functionality. Recognizing their ecological contributions is crucial for designing sustainable management strategies for wetland habitats globally.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Corbet PS. Dragonflies: behaviour and ecology of Odonata. 1999.
2. Corbet PS. Biology of odonata. Annu Rev Entomol. 1980;25(1):189–217.
3. Rowe R. Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Aust J Entomol. 2003;42(2):210–1.
4. Bhatia S, Kumari N. Odonata unveiled: A differential diagnosis of recent odonata species discovered in India. Uttar Pradesh J Zool. 2024;45(18):685–694.
5. Kalkman VJ, Clausnitzer V, Dijkstra KD, Orr AG, Paulson DR, Van Tol J. Global diversity of dragonflies (Odonata) in freshwater. Freshw Anim Divers Assess. 2008:351–363.
6. Clausnitzer V, Kalkman VJ, Ram M, Collen B, Baillie JE, Bedjanič M, et al. Odonata enter the biodiversity crisis debate: the first global assessment of an insect group. Biol Conserv. 2009;142(8):1864–1869.
7. Subramanian KA, Babu R. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of India. In: Indian Insects. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2019. p.29–45.
8. Makin H. Dragonflies and Damselflies. In: Oxford University Press eBooks. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press; 2022. doi:10.1093/oso/9780192898623.001.0001.
9. Maasri A, Thorp JH. Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin. In: Elsevier eBooks. Amsterdam (NL): Elsevier; 2023. doi:10.1016/c2019-0-04271-9.
10. Abbott J. Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). In: Elsevier eBooks. Amsterdam (NL): Elsevier; 2009. p.394–404. doi:10.1016/b978-012370626-3.00183-6.
11. Gómez-Tolosa M, Mendoza-Cuenca L, Rivera-Velázquez G, Rioja-Paradela TM, Tejeda-Cruz C, Pérez-Farrera MA, et al. Using the ecological relationships of Odonata with a habitat integrity index to test the biodiversity ecosystem function framework. J Insect Conserv. 2022;26(2):191–203. doi:10.1007/s10841-022-00377-4.
12. Stav G, Blaustein L, Margalit Y. Influence of nymphal Anax imperator (Odonata: Aeshnidae) on oviposition by the mosquito Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera: Culicidae) and community structure in temporary pools. PubMed. 2000;25(2):190–202.
13. Adeleke SO, Sanni RO, Adebayo VJ, Olaseewo NA, Abdulwakeel KD. ODONATA: Characterisations and their Ecosystem Services. In: Adegbie KS, Akinsemolu AA, Akintewe BN, editors. Exploring STEM frontiers: A festschrift in honour of Dr. FO Balogun. SustainE; 2024.
14. Edgehouse M, Brown CP. Predatory luring behavior of Odonates. J Insect Sci. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1093/jisesa/ieu008.
15. Choo MZ, Low BW, Ngiam RW, Yeo DC. Predation of mosquitos by Odonates in a tropical urban environment: insights from functional response and field mesocosm experiments. Biol Control. 2021;161:104702. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104702.
16. Arthiyan S, Eswaramohan T, Hemphill A, Surendran SN. Predatory potential of nymphal Odonates on aedes aegypti developing in freshwater and brackish water habitats. Insects. 2024;15(7):547. doi:10.3390/insects15070547.
17. Arnaud S, Kari K, Lenin C, André M, Olga P, Justin P, et al. Odonata Trophic Ecology. In: Oxford University Press eBooks. Oxford (UK): Oxford University Press; 2022. p.219–232. doi:10.1093/oso/9780192898623.003.0016.
18. Crowder LB, Cooper WE. Habitat structural complexity and the interaction between bluegills and their prey. Ecology. 1982;63(6):1802. doi:10.2307/1940122.
19. Cummins KW, Klug MJ. Feeding ecology of stream invertebrates. Annu Rev Ecol Syst. 1979;10(1):147–172. doi:10.1146/annurev.es.10.110179.001051.
20. Tiple AD, Paunikar S, Talmale SS. Dragonfies and Damselfies (Odonata: Insecta) of Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, central India. J Threat Taxa. 2012;4(4):2529–33.
21. Allan JD, Castillo MM, Capps KA. Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling in Aquatic Communities. In: Springer eBooks. Cham (CH): Springer; 2021. p.357–381. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61286-3_12.
22. White EL, Hunt PD, Schlesinger MD, Corser JD, deMaynadier PG. Prioritizing Odonata for conservation action in the northeastern USA. Freshw Sci. 2015;34(3):1079–1093. doi:10.1086/682287.