31-07-2025
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.
