Friday, April 2, 2010

Why the humble dragonfly can help curb dengue

MY PAPER WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 1 , 2 0 1 0, NEWS, PAGE A1
http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya310310cnd_opf_files/mya310310cnd.js&ver=Gen
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20100331-207699.html
By SIA LING XIN, lingxin@sph.com.sg



PHOTO: HELPFUL INSECT: Dragonflies prey on pests and curb their population, so it’s good to know that they are thriving in Singapore’s parks, according to a study by NParks.
(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO)


Yes, it’s true.

Dragonflies can help curb the population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes here, said Mr Robin Ngiam, a senior project officer of National Parks Board (NParks)’s National Biodiveristy Centre.

There are “tangible benefits” to be gained from introducing these insect predators, he said.


PHOTO: http://www.southafrica.to/nature/fauna/insects/Dragonfly/Dragonfly.jpg


Dragonflies prey on insect pests, and “are able to control the insect-pest population and prevent them from breeding further”.

Mr Ngiam led a study by NParks which has found that dragonflies are an important part of Singapore’s ecosystem and are, surprisingly, thriving in Singapore’s urban landscape.



PHOTO: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/planetearthunderthreat/dragonfly.jpg


The study found seven dragonfly species previously unrecorded here, bringing the tally of dragonfly species here up to 124.

The two-year study, which cost around $100,000, also found that certain species believed to exist only in nature reserves can now be seen in parks as well.



PHOTO: http://img5.rajce.idnes.cz/d0501/0/980/980891_92d561e11d46b41e5371afa990d044a0/images/IMG_1807.JPG


All these are a result of better-managed habitats for dragonflies, an NParks spokesman said.

Dr Geoffrey Davison, the assistant director (terrestrial) of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre, said this shows that urban parks play an important role in the conservation of dragonflies.

Mr Yeo Meng Tong, NParks’ director of development, said that the findings of the study will come in handy when planning which parks to build or renovate in the future.


PHOTO: http://www.robink.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/dragonfly.jpg


The study also discovered that the key to attracting more dragonflies seems to lie in the growth of different types of freshwater plants in ponds, as they provide shelter for the dragonflies.

The study managed to find the new dragonfly species, thanks to help from NParks’ volunteers, who took photographs of the unusual-looking species.



PHOTO: http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20100331-207699.html


The volunteers shared the information with NParks, said Mr Ngiam.

NParks will publish a book on the study’s findings to share more information about dragonflies with the public. It will be available in bookstores later this year.
By SIA LING XIN, lingxin@sph.com.sg



PHOTO: http://www.edupic.net/Images/Insects/odo_dragonfly4.JPG







TODAY, Wednesday, 10 March 31, 2010, NEWS, PAGE 10
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100331/3103HNR012.pdf
By Sharon See


PHOTO: Rare dragonfly species found in Toa Payoh. A rare species, Pseudagrion rubricep (picture), was also discovered at Toa Payoh Town Park.


Rare dragonfly species found in Toa Payoh

Dragonflies have adapted to city life, and that is good news. A two-year study by the National Parks Board (NParks) has found that a considerable number of dragonfly species, previously more commonly found in nature reserves and rural areas, are now able to thrive in an urban setting.

Forty of the more than 120 species of dragonflies in Singapore were found in park ponds, with the majority at Bishan Park, Kent Ridge Park and Toa Payoh Town Park.



PHOTO: MY PAPER WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 1 , 2 0 1 0, NEWS, PAGE A1


Dragonflies are known to play important roles in urban ecology, said project officer Robin Ngiam Wen Jiang of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre.

A rare species, Pseudagrion rubricep), was also discovered at Toa Payoh Town Park.

It was previously known to exist only in the nature reserves, when a single specimen was discovered in 1993.
By Sharon See



PHOTO: http://dnr.state.il.us/Education/interprt/Weldon_Springs/images/widow%20skimmer%20dragonfly_jpg.jpg



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