Teinobasis recurva
Overview
Teinobasis recurva is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Coenagrionidae. Like other members of its genus, this small aquatic insect exhibits the characteristic slender body and delicate wings typical of damselflies. Adults are distinguished by their ability to fold their wings along their body when at rest, unlike their dragonfly relatives.
The species plays an important ecological role as both predator and prey, with adults feeding on small flying insects while larvae develop in aquatic environments, contributing to freshwater ecosystem dynamics.
This damselfly inhabits forested regions across a geographically diverse range spanning the Philippines, Micronesia, and Nepal. The species requires intact forest ecosystems, particularly areas with clean freshwater streams and pools necessary for larval development and adult reproduction.
Teinobasis recurva faces multiple ongoing threats that have contributed to its Endangered status and declining population trend. Agricultural expansion, including both annual and perennial non-timber crops, has resulted in habitat conversion and fragmentation. Mining and quarrying operations directly destroy breeding sites and alter watershed hydrology.
Infrastructure development through road and railroad construction fragments remaining habitat corridors. Logging activities reduce forest canopy cover essential for maintaining suitable microclimate conditions. Urban expansion continues to encroach upon remaining forest habitats.
Current conservation measures for this species are limited, reflecting the broader challenges facing many lesser-known invertebrate species. The species' wide geographic distribution across multiple countries complicates coordinated conservation efforts.
Given the ongoing nature of all identified threats and the species' declining population trend, the outlook for Teinobasis recurva remains concerning without targeted habitat protection and threat mitigation measures.
Teinobasis recurva faces threats from the conversion of its natural habitat to farmland for crops, mining operations that destroy the landscape, and the construction of roads and railways that fragment its living areas. Additionally, logging activities remove the trees it depends on, while expanding cities and towns replace its habitat with buildings and infrastructure. All of these threats are currently ongoing and appear to be continuing at a steady pace.
