New dragonflies recorded during Phu Quoc butterfly survey
http://www.wildlifeatrisk.org/index.php?lang=en&id=6&subid=35

A WAR-sponsored entomologist has exceeded his brief in spectacular style during a butterfly survey on the island of Phu Quoc. Bui Huu Manh, commissioned by WAR to compile a comprehensive list of the island’s butterfly species, has also succeeded in recording four species of dragonfly and damselfly that are totally new to Vietnam.

The newly recorded species – scientific names Rhyothemis obsolescens, Lyriothemis mortoni, Pseudagrion williamsonii and Prodasineura auricolor–group – were observed between April and July 2007.

The latest discoveries provide further evidence that the island of Phu Quoc is a largely unexplored biological treasure trove of nationally, regionally and, in some cases, globally important species of fauna and flora. Lyriothemis mortoni, for example, is an extremely rare dragonfly and has only been recorded from a handful of sites in south-east Asia. By contrast, Rhyothemis obsolescens appears to be very common on Phu Quoc, yet this species does not feature on the official Vietnam checklist, an indication that comprehensive biological surveys of the island are urgently needed.

Over 50 species of dragonfly and damselfly species have now been recorded on Phu Quoc in the past year alone, mainly through casual observation as a by-product of the butterfly surveys conducted on behalf of WAR. An official survey is likely to yield furthe interesting revelations about this relatively neglected insect group.

It is now two years since WAR began working with the local authorities and national park staff  to support the sustainable development of ecotourism and raise awareness of the biodiversity value of Phu Quoc and the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.