4 rare tiger beetle species spotted for first time in UP's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
PILIBHIT:
A 15-day field survey at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) in July has led to the discovery of 19 tiger beetle species—four of them rare and never recorded before in Uttar Pradesh.
This marks a significant addition to India's insect biodiversity.
The study was carried out by Vipin Kapoor Sainy from DTR and Rohit Ravi from WWF-India, under the guidance of Bengaluru-based wildlife group ROAR. Their findings were officially documented, confirming the presence of
Lophyra mutiguttata, Rhytidophaena limbata, Cicindela cyanea
, and
Cylindera venosa
—species whose known range has now been extended by over 400 km.
'These beetles, often called the tiny tigers of the insect world, are fierce predators in their microhabitats and help control harmful insects,' said Sainy. He added that of the 245 tiger beetle species found in the Indian subcontinent, nearly half are endemic.
Tiger beetles are small, colourful, fast runners with sharp eyesight. They're known for their hunting prowess—adults chase prey while larvae lie in wait from burrows.
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The insects live for about a year and have two main breeding cycles, depending on species and climate.
WWF biologist Rohit Ravi explained that their role as apex predators makes them important indicators of ecosystem health.
Field director H Rajamohan welcomed the discovery, saying, 'Our conservation efforts must go beyond tigers and elephants. Every species matters, even the lesser-known ones like tiger beetles. We will continue supporting such scientific research.'
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