Odonata (Insecta) as a tool for the biomonitoring of environmental quality

•Different assemblage characteristics can potentially be used to assess loss of environmental integrity.•Species composition was the characteristic that best evaluated ecological integrity.•Taxonomic diversity and taxonomic distinction also achieved good results.•Species richness and abundance/biomass relationships did not provide good responses.•Deconstructing Odonata assemblages and choosing the right indicators are mandatory for efficient ecological assessments.