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Time of India
04-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
4 rare tiger beetle species spotted for first time in UP's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Tiger beetles are small, colourful, fast runners with sharp eyesight. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo 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.'
Hans India
02-08-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Nineteen tiger beetle species found in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Lakhimpur KheriBiodiversity-rich Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been found to be home to 19 species of tiger beetle insects, with four of them discovered for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, a recent survey recorded. The survey was carried out under the 'Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025' organised for the first time by Tamil Nadu-based NGO, Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam (ROAR). The tiger beetle is a fast, predatory insect known for its vibrant, metallic colours and agile hunting skills. It derives its name from its tiger-like style of chasing and hunting its prey. Vipin Kapoor Sainy, field biologist and outreach programme head at DTR, who carried out a survey in Dudhwa along with WWF-India project officer Rohit Ravi, said, 'The survey for documentation of tiger beetles in Dudhwa was just the second survey in Uttar Pradesh, with the earlier survey reported to have been carried out in 1980.' Sainy added that 'the survey resulted in the discovery of 19 species of tiger beetles in Dudhwa, four species, namely 'Lophyra mutiguttata', 'Rhytidophaena', 'Cicindela cyanea' and 'Cylindera venosa' had never been recorded earlier in Uttar Pradesh,' he said. Sainy said, 'The tiger beetle quest highlighted Dudhwa's remarkable biodiversity, reaffirming it as one of India's premier biodiversity hotspots, where even the smallest creatures like tiger beetles were celebrated and documented.' Elated with the discovery, Field Director Dr H Rajamohan said conservation was not restricted just to charismatic megafauna like tigers and rhinos but to the other smaller species. The discovery of 19 species under the Tiger Beetle India Fest reflected their commitment to documenting and protecting the lesser-known yet ecologically significant species, he added. Deputy Director, DTR Jagdish R, said the documentation of 19 species of tiger beetle highlighted the hidden diversity thriving within Dudhwa's rich ecosystems. The tiger beetle quest was not merely a science event, but a collaborative effort to draw attention towards arthropods often overlooked, he added. V Sharan, Founder Director of ROAR and organiser of the Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025, said he was sceptical about the event as not many citizen scientists or nature observers were familiar with tiger beetles. 'However, the amount of response received and the kind of information collected through the fest had highlighted its success,' he added.
