Some rice-field Odonata in the districts of Poonch and Bagh, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Odonates are frequently encountered in the rice fields and are reported as important rice pest predators (cf. e.g. H.R. FEIJEN, 1977, Ini. Rice Res. Newsl. 2(5): 17-18; – G. VAN VREDEN & A.L. AHMADZAB1DI, 1986, Pests of rice and their natural enemies in Peninsular Malaysia, Pudoc, Wageningen). A survey was, therefore, undertaken to identify the rice-field odonate species occurring in the two districts. It is the objective, this would help to assess their role in the local insect pest management. The localities visited are: (1) Atja, – (2) Bagh, – (3) Bajri, – (4) Harighail, – (5) Nomanpura, – and (6) Hajeera.