Two new antlion species found from Kerala

Researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) at Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, have found two new species of antlions belonging to the household Myrmeleontidae below the order Neuroptera.

The first species, Indophanes keralaensis, was recognized from the forest areas of Sairandhri and Siruvani in Palakkad district in addition to Pampadum Shola National Park in Idukki. The title honours Kerala, the place the Western Ghats, one of many world’s most crucial biodiversity hotspots, dominate the panorama.

The second species, Indophanes sahyadriensis, was recorded from Siruvani (Palakkad), Pakshipathalam and Thirunelly (Wayanad), and Ranipuram (Kasaragod). Its title refers back to the Sahyadri, the native time period for the Western Ghats, which harbours distinctive native habitats.

Genus Indophanes

The genus Indophanes is reported from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It beforehand included 9 species worldwide. With this discovery, the full has elevated to eleven. In India, the variety of Indophanes species has risen to 5, of which three are recorded from Kerala.

The findings have been revealed within the worldwide scientific journal Zootaxa. Researcher at SERL and Assistant Professor at St. Aloysius College, Elthuruth, Suryanarayanan T. B., analysis supervisor and head of SERL Bijoy C., Assistant Professor of Christ College and Hungarian scientist Levente Ábrahám had been behind this discovery.

Speaking in regards to the broader significance of the invention, Dr. Suryanarayanan famous: “This reinforces the essential position educational establishments and native biodiversity surveys play in filling the gaps in India’s faunal stock, significantly for lesser-known insect teams like antlions.”

Order Neuroptera

Antlions are sometimes mistaken for damselflies as a result of their related look however might be distinguished by their lengthy, clubbed antennae. They come below order Neuroptera which incorporates holometabolous bugs whereas the damselflies come below order Odonata, which incorporates hemimetabolous bugs.

Many antlion larvae are recognized for setting up conical sand pits to entice prey. Larvae of the genus Indophanes don’t construct pits. Instead, they dwell beneath unfastened soil, sheltered from direct daylight, wind, and rain. With these two additions, Kerala now information 12 species of antlions, whereas India’s tally rises to 110, based on Dr. Bijoy.

The research was supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.