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In a recent discovery, a rare scarlet dragonfly has been spotted in the valleys of Munnar, somewhere in Kerala’s Western Ghats . The rare and unexpected spectacle has people shocked. The news has delighted wildlife lovers, photographers and explorers across the country. This little crimson sky-dancer is important because it has made an unexpected comeback in the region.


Odonatologists (experts studying dragonflies) have confirmed spotting the elusive scarlet dragonfly ( Crocothemis erythraea ) fluttering through the cool, high-altitude valleys of southern Western Ghats. This is another reason to pack your bags and binoculars and wander off the beaten path in the valleys of Munnar.

More about this rare and unique crimson dragonfly

The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is also known as the scarlet darter or broad scarlet. Consider yourself super lucky if you ever spot this one. This is not an everyday sight in the high-elevation forests of southern India as this dragonfly is spotted in warmer and lower altitudes. The bright male forms look red and females and babies have undertone tones of yellow to brown with paler stripes.

In Munnar, at altitudes where mist lingers and the air feels cool even in summer, the discovery is quite surprising as such elevations are usually home to dragonflies adapted to cooler and streams. The scarlet dragonfly prefers open water bodies such as ponds and rivers.

Kalesh Sadasivan, the lead author of the study published in the International Journal of Odonatology, said that photos of what looked like a C. erythraea dragonfly were taken in the Munnar high ranges during a faunal survey in 2018. These sightings were first mentioned in a 2021 report on Kerala’s dragonflies, but were later removed from official lists after some researchers doubted the identification.

Why it matters


For scientists and environmentalists, finding a species in a spot where it has been missing, or historically rare, raises several pressing questions, including some about climate change. Such sightings also matter because they are reminders that the Western Ghats still holds several surprises for those willing to venture deep. The presence of this quiet dragonfly only adds to the checklist of species one can spot here.

For travellers wanting to try their luck to catch a rare glimpse, they can:


Head to places in and around Munnar valley in the early hours or late afternoon as these specific dragonflies are active in warmer parts of the day.

Try your luck at wetlands, ponds, or slow rivers closer to forests rather than venturing deep forest canopy. Focus your binoculars more on open banks and sunlit areas.

A camera with a zoom lens will also help as dragonflies are fast.

So, now you have another reason to plan a trip to Munnar, to get a glimpse of these Ice-Age creatures! You never know, when you get lucky.