Diversity, Status and Phenology of the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cyprus (Insecta: Odonata)

Abstract

Based on literature data, unpublished material and the results of the year-round monitoring at selected sites island-wide by the Cyprus Dragonfly Study Group since 2013, we acquired an excellent knowledge of the diversity and status of the Odonata of Cyprus. Altogether, 37 species are on the island’s checklist. Ischnura pumilio, Aeshna affinis and Brachythemis impartita were only very rarely recorded in the past but are considered to be no longer present. The single record of Calopteryx virgo from 1930 is in our opinion a misidentification and has been removed from the checklist. The island has a rather impoverished odonate fauna compared to neighbouring countries. There are no endemic species, but the island is home to some range of restricted species of which Ischnura intermedia is the most important. Flight seasons determined for the 31 species with sufficient data were generally found to be longer than reported for other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. This may be due to intensive year-round monitoring but could also result from Cyprus’ warmer climate. Very wide annual variations were found in the abundance of all species over the seven years and show an almost immediate response to the wide fluctuations in Cyprus’ annual rainfall levels.

Impacts of climate change on dragonflies and damselflies in West and Central Asia

“…The increase in species with a mainly African distribution has already been going on in Europe for the past 30 years (Kalkman et al, 2018;Termaat et al, 2019). In Turkey and Cyprus, an increase in African species is also evident (Sparrow et al, 2021) and it seems likely that this increase is also already taking place in other parts of our study area. Evidence for an increase in Oriental species already taking place in our area is limited, although data suggest that Trithemis aurora has expanded its range westwards along the Persian Gulf coast of Iran in recent decades (Schneider & Ikemeyer, 2019).…”

Drivers of Odonata flight timing revealed by natural history collection data

“…As the primary driver of hydrology, precipitation is fundamental to all odonate life histories. However, few studies have directly examined links between precipitation and odonate phenology; most have focused on odonate distribution and richness patterns (Ball‐Damerow et al, 2014; Sparrow et al, 2021). We propose that aquatic habitat stability may provide a useful lens for understanding phenological responses to precipitation.…”

The circumtropical Pantala flavescens is a regular visitor to Cyprus and reproducing on the island (Odonata: Libellulidae)

“…These two regions are well-known for observing migrating species. The Cape is a prime location on the island, particularly for bird migration as migrants are funnelled to its tip by the topography of the Karpasia peninsula (Flint & Stewart 1983, 1992Flint 2019), but also butterflies and dragonflies, especially Anax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839) (Sparrow et al 2016;Flint 2019). The third area is the coastal stretch between Paphos and Agios Georgios.…”