On the home-visiting dragons: a year-round observation of dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) entering an urban residence

Abstract

Wildlife intrusion into human settlement and residency has long been viewed as a disturbance rather than regarded from other perspectives, such as wildlife welfare or conservation. Insects were part of that wildlife that were considered as pests or nuisances whenever their existence intersected with human livelihood. In this study, we documented a year-round (August 2019 to August 2020) observation of dragonflies intruding into a residence in the densely populated urban area in Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The study used the descriptive method, where the data was recorded from any occasion an individual or more dragonflies entered the house. The observation recorded the date and time of entry, species identification, and sex which was later analyzed. During the observation, we recorded 41 individuals entering the residence. They were classified into two damselfly species (Zygoptera) and ten valid dragonfly species (Anisoptera). Orthetrum sabina, Tholymis tillarga and Gynacantha dorhni became the most recorded species with 8, 7, and 7 total individuals, respectively. With 12 individuals recorded in a month, February 2020 was the most dragonfly-intruded period, much higher than the intrusion rate of 2.8 individuals per month. Dragonflies were observed entering the residence at midday (10 individuals), afternoon (12 individuals), evening (11 individuals) or night (8 individuals); this might suggest that night lighting might be what caused them to get into the residence. Both sexes were equal (18 females, 20 males, and three unsexed). The availability of tiny prey insects within the settlement area is another causative factor in this phenomenon. This intrusion should be alarming that the urbanization processes need to be reconsidered to be more ecological-friendly.