Residents along the South Coast are thrilled after catching sight of a rare Sable Cruiser dragonfly, which marks only around twenty such observations since this insect was first identified back in 1920. This discovery also represents the southernmost record for this distinctive species, typically seen in regions like Mpumalanga and the Lowveld.
The inhabitants of the mature lifestyle community at Renishaw Hills, known for its emphasis on conservation, recognized the animal through their 'citizen scientist' program.
The property, formerly a sugarcane plantation, was revitalized through an intensive restoration project spearheaded by renowned landscaper and botanist Dr. Elsa Pooley, working alongside Geoff Nichols, one of KZN’s foremost authorities in ecological rehabilitation.
"We are now witnessing the outcomes of this effort as our local Citizen Scientists are diligently recording the remarkable biodiversity sustained within this conservation area," stated Barto van der Merwe, Managing Director at Renishaw Property Developments.
Three years back, a team comprising roughly 44 local citizen scientists, mostly from Renishaw Hills, initiated a project on the international iNaturalist platform with the aim of documenting the resurgence of various flora and fauna. This initiative was established to monitor and research regional wildlife.
Tim McClurg, who is part of the group known as Citizen Scientists for this initiative, mentioned that iNaturalist — backed by organizations such as the National Geographic Society — stands out in the field of natural science platforms. He explained further, "Through Citizen Science, we gain access to an immensely sophisticated framework where records of biodiversity can be continuously documented worldwide and immediately disseminated through extensive networks."
So far, this team has recorded 13,863 observations distributed among 1,796 different species. According to McClurg, one of these sightings was particularly uncommon – the discovery of a dragonfly. He remembered taking photos of the insect close to the Renishaw Hills Community Centre back in December and subsequently shared them on iNaturalist.
The reaction was quick and highly enthusiastic from our team of local specialists — including Peter Small — who validated it as a Sable Cruiser. Phyllomacromia monoceros , which is exceptionally rare, localized, and threatened," observed McClurg. "The cumulative count of individuals spotted in South Africa likely doesn’t exceed about 20, with the initial documented appearance occurring in Barberton, Mpumalanga circa 1920.
He notes that the latest sighting at Renishaw Hills is easily the southernmost record for the Sable Cruiser dragonfly, approximately 800 kilometers further south than previously documented: "This brings up several queries. Could it have been present but unnoticed all along? Perhaps it was carried off course during a storm? Might this be connected to climate change? Such inquiries could potentially be addressed with a significantly expanded iNaturalist database."
Agreed, noting that this 'remarkable observation' underscores the significance of Renishaw Hills for dragonflies: "We have documented 75 out of the 165 species of southern African dragonflies and damselflies within our region, including some with uncommon distributions. This makes our location one of the premier sites for observing dragonflies in the nation."
Community-led science involves gathering and examining information about the natural environment by non-experts. The general populace usually participates in such projects as collaborators alongside professional scientists. Websites similar to iNaturalist offer immediate access to an extensive database containing millions of records worldwide—each record comes with photos, locations, identifications, and additional details.
McClurg motivates others to become Citizen Scientists, saying: "Through participation and contribution, you might pave a way that enhances your understanding of wildlife and provides the fulfillment of supporting a significant initiative."
Anyone interested in finding out more can visit www.inaturalist.org . There are no obligations, it’s free of charge, and images can be taken and submitted directly from a cellphone.