Three New Antlion Species Discovered for the First Time in Kerala by SERL Researchers.
Environment
In July 2025, researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College, Thrissur (Kerala), discovered three new antlion species for the first time in Kerala—Indopalpares pardus, Palpares contrarius, and Stenares harpyia, all from the family Myrmeleontidae. These species were found in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
- The discovery was published in the Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics and financially supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-India. The findings add significant value to India’s insect biodiversity documentation.
- The species were discovered in various districts across Kerala, including Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad. They were previously recorded in other Indian states but never reported from Kerala before.
Main Point :- (i) Indopalpares pardus was found in Malappuram district and is known for its large size and broad wings with leopard-like spots. It had earlier been recorded in Bihar, MP, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
(ii) Palpares contrarius, previously recorded in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram, was discovered in Kerala regions like Kuttikapuzha (Kannur), Payamthodu (Kozhikode), and Thirunelly (Wayanad). It is recognized for its broad, patterned wings with eye-catching markings.
(iii) Stenares harpyia, known for eagle-like or harpy-like wings, was found in Gavi (Pathanamthitta), Vazhathope (Idukki), and Vattavada. Earlier, this species had only been documented in Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
About Kerala
Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor: Rajendra Arlekar
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