CR

Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly

Megalagrion oceanicum

Declining

Overview

Megalagrion oceanicum is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae that is endemic to the island of Oʻahu in Hawaii. It inhabits rivers in the Waiʻanae and Koʻolau ranges. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Megalagrion oceanicum faces severe threats from habitat destruction as native Hawaiian stream ecosystems are degraded by invasive plant species and altered hydrology. The introduction of non-native fish species has disrupted aquatic food webs, while urban development and agricultural runoff have compromised water quality in the limited stream systems where this damselfly persists. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could further reduce suitable aquatic habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Hawaiian damselfly inhabits pristine native stream systems with intact riparian forest canopy, requiring clean flowing water with appropriate substrate for larval development. The species is restricted to undisturbed montane and lowland streams on specific Hawaiian islands where native vegetation provides essential microhabitat conditions.

Forest· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorRocky areas· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly classified as Critically Endangered?
Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Megalagrion oceanicum faces severe threats from habitat destruction as native Hawaiian stream ecosystems are degraded by invasive plant species and altered hydrology. The introduction of non-native fish species has disrupted aquatic food webs, while urban development and agricultural runoff have compromised water quality in the limited stream systems where this damselfly persists. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could further reduce suitable aquatic habitat.
Where does Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly live?
Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly?
The main threats to Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly are 8.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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