Lantau Dragonfly Ecological Survey

Located in the southwest of Hong Kong, Lantau Island is the biggest island in Hong Kong with an area of 14,400 hectares. Over 70% of Lantau Island still maintains its natural form and has a very large degree of biodiversity. On the other hand, large scale development plans are being completed or in the process being implemented, posing a threat to local habitats.

Since 2015, we have carried out a number of dragonfly ecological surveys to get a better understanding of the status of dragonflies in Lantau Island.

• In progress

• 4 locations were surveyed, with a total of 50 species of dragonfly recorded between March and November, including 2 uncommon species.

• 8 locations were surveyed, with a total of 59 species of dragonfly recorded between March and December, including 2 uncommon species.

• 7 locations were surveyed, with a total of 57 species of dragonfly recorded between April and December, including 3 uncommon species.

• 6 locations were surveyed, with a total of 58 species of dragonfly recorded between March and December, including 2 uncommon species.

• Total of 60 species of dragonfly recorded between May and December, including 6 uncommon species.
• In March, a letter was written to the Town Planning Board to address the issue of Mangrove Skimmer (Orthetrum poecilops) breeding population found in the mangroves along the west bank of Wong Lung Hang River. The letter recommended relocation of the proposed public transport interchange, which is part of the Tung Chung New Town Extension Plan, and to move it from the vicinity of the mangrove area to another location, so to protect the local Mangrove Skimmer population.

• Ecological survey of dragonflies in Lantau Island commence. 4 locations were surveyed, with a total of 54 species recorded, including 6 uncommon species.
• In July, a breeding population of Mangrove Skimmer (Orthetrum poecilops) was found in the mangroves along the west bank of Wong Lung Hang River. The Mangrove Skimmer is very rare in Hong Kong and is listed as a near threatened species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.