Colombia’s Guainía Region Reveals Nearly 120 Dragonfly Species, Highlighting Freshwater Health

Researchers in Guainía, a remote eastern Colombian area, have expanded the known dragonfly fauna from about ten species to nearly 120, a figure that may rise further. The work, led by biodiversity coordinator Yiselle Cano, combined field surveys with Indigenous community participation. Scientists cataloged species from the Orinoco, Amazonas, and the Guiana Shield, underscoring the region’s status as a dragonfly hotspot. Workshops followed the surveys, where researchers showed specimens to community members, many of whom spoke no Spanish. Participants identified insects in their native tongues, revealing a gap between scientific taxonomy and local ecological knowledge. Dragonflies, which rely on healthy freshwater habitats, serve as indicators of environmental change. Their habitats face mounting pressure from mining, deforestation, waste mismanagement, and expanding tourism. The project illustrates how biodiversity inventories can inform conservation and foster cross‑cultural understanding of ecosystem health.