A collection of Odonata from Brahmapuri and the neighbouring territories of central India

From central India only 28 odonate species were recorded prior to 1955. Recently, T.R. M1TRA (1986 [1988], Rec. zool. Surv. India 83: 69-81) reported 21 species from the Mahadeo Hills, including 11 new records, thus bringing the regional total to 39 species. For the present survey, dragonflies were collected in the extreme E of Maharashtra. This is predominantly a rice-growing area, with heavy rainfall (annual precipitation 1500-1900 mm) and extreme temperatures (10-46°C). It is endowed with excellent natural forest (southern dry tropical deciduous type). The abundance of vegetation and the presence of small and large water bodies provide excellent odonate breeding habitats. Material was collected during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods (July-December) of 1992 and 1993, from the following territories: (1) BRAHMAPURI, Distr. Chandrapur (20°40’ N, 79°45’E), a town 8 km W of the Wainganga R., surrounded by rice fields and dotted with perennial and seasonal ponds; – [BRP], (2) GHODAZARI LAKE, Distr. Chandrapur (20°50’N, 79°65’E), situated in the heart of the Ghodazari Forest, with a surface of over 6 km2; – [GZL], (3) NAVEGAON NATIONAL PARK, Distr. Bhandara (20°90’N, 80°17’E), a forest reserve of 133.8 km2. The major Navegaon lake has a surface of over 11 km2; it is the winter visiting site for many migratory birds; – [NNP],