Four new dragonfly species listed

Four new species of dragonfly have been added to the city's list, bringing the total to 116, according to a new Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department publication.

It makes Hong Kong home to more than a seventh of China's total of number of dragonfly species.

'The city attracts so many dragonflies because it provides them with diverse habitats, such as sandy streams, freshwater ponds, reservoirs and fresh water and brackish water marshes,' said Dr Tam Tze-wai, the department's country parks ranger services officer.

Some of the varieties are listed as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. One of them is the four-spot midget, or Mortonagrion Hirosei.

According to The Dragonflies of Hong Kong, this species - with four apple-green spots on the thorax - is about as long as your thumb, or 2.5 centimetres. It can be found in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

The four-spot midget is found in 10 locations in the city, up from seven in 2002, when the department first set up a working group to carry out territory-wide studies on the species.

'The Hong Kong Wetland Park that provides diverse habitats is one of the new locations where we can see them,' Tam said.

Similar to the first book featuring the city's dragonflies, published by the department in 2004, the insects are introduced to readers in layman's terms. But this edition has more 'rare and beautiful' photos, said Tam.

To people interested in dragonfly spotting, Tam said: 'Flat marshes and the wetland park are the ideal places for novices. They need to wait patiently, very often in the sun, as most adult dragonflies can only be found in spring and summer.'

Another new book depicting Hong Kong's geoparks is also available at the book fair. Professor Bernie Owen, author of Hong Kong Geopark All in One, said the work showcased the city's rich geodiversity.

The two new books are making their debut at this year's book fair, which starts today at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.