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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Nine solitary bee species discovered in Kerala for the first time
In a remarkable addition to Kerala's biodiversity records, researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab at Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, have identified nine species of solitary bees from the subfamily Nomiinae (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) – all documented for the first time in Kerala. Unlike the social honeybees that live in bustling colonies and produce honey, solitary bees live independently, with each female building and provisioning her own nest. While they may not yield honey, their ecological contribution is immense. 'Solitary bees are vital pollinators. They play an equally important role as honeybees in sustaining ecosystems and boosting agricultural productivity,' explained Dr. Bijoy C., Assistant Professor and Head of the Lab. The newly recorded species include Austronomia capitata, Austronomia goniognatha, Austronomia ustula, Gnathonomia argenteobalteata, Hoplonomia incerta, Lipotriches torrida, Lipotriches exagens, Lipotriches minutula, and Lipotriches pulchriventris. Among them, Lipotriches torrida has been found for the first time outside its type locality, and Gnathonomia argenteobalteata marks a rare rediscovery — over a century after its last recorded sighting in India. 'These findings put Kerala on the global map for Nomiinae diversity,' said Dr. Bijoy. Published in the Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics (Vol. 11, Issue 3, 2025), the study reveals that Kerala now harbours 42 species of Nomiinae — representing 50.6% of India's and 87.7% of South India's known fauna in this subfamily. These bees, which nest in the ground, also help improve soil aeration, moisture retention, and fertility through their nesting activities. The research team included doctoral students Athul Sankar C., Vishnu A. V., and Anju Sara Prakash, from Christ College alongside Dr. Bijoy and Dr. Shaji E. M., Professor and Head of the Zoology Department, K. K. T. M. Govt. College, Pullut. The project was funded by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Government of India.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Three antlion species recorded for the first time in Kerala
In a major contribution to insect biodiversity documentation, three antlion species from the tribe Palparini — Indopalpares pardus; Palpares contrarius; and Stenares harpyia — have been recorded for the first time from the Kerala region of the Western Ghats. The discovery was made by a research team from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, and has been published in the Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. Indopalpares pardus, a widely distributed species previously reported from States such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, has now been scientifically recorded for the first time in Kerala from Vazhayur in Malappuram district. Palpares contrarius was found from several locations across Kerala, including Kattilapara and Rosemala (Kollam), Kolahalamedu (Idukki), Kuthuparamba (Kannur), Payamthondu (Kozhikode), Pudunagaram (Palakkad), and Thirunelly (Wayanad). Earlier records of this species are known from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram. Stenares harpyia, earlier restricted to Tamil Nadu and Telangana, has now been discovered in Gavi (Pathanamthitta), Thirunelly, and Vallakkadavu (Idukki), extending its known range significantly into the southern Western Ghats. Doctoral scholar at the SERL and Assistant Professor at St. Aloysius College, Elthuruth, Suryanarayanan T.B.; research supervisor, head of SERL and Assistant Professor of Christ College, Bijoy C.; and Hungarian scientist Levente Ábrahám were behind this discovery. 'These discoveries shed light on the hidden diversity of Neuroptera in the Western Ghats and raise important questions about their ecological preferences,' said Dr. Suryanarayanan. 'The presence of these typically dry-zone species in humid forest ecosystems suggests the need for deeper investigation into their habitat adaptability.' 'This reinforces the crucial role that academic institutions and local biodiversity surveys play in filling the gaps in India's faunal inventory, particularly for lesser-known insect groups like antlions,' said Dr. Bijoy C., highlighting the broader relevance of the findings. The research was conducted with financial assistance from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. The SERL at Christ College has a special emphasis on researching such organisms. This discovery further strengthens Kerala's position as a key region for faunal exploration and underscores the need for continued support for taxonomic and ecological research in the country, they said.
