Two rare Neuroptera species found for the first time from Kerala- NSP NEWS

Researchers have found two rare Order Neuroptera species, Glenochrysa zeylanica and Indophanes barbara from Kerala.

Indophanes barbara is an antlion belonging to Myrmeleontidae family and Glenochrysa zeylanica is a green lacewing of Chrysopidae family in Order Neuroptera.

The research team of the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, is behind the findings.

The green lacewing species Glenochrysa zeylanica was rediscovered after 111 years from Mananthavady and Thirunelly in Wayanad district. This species, previously thought to be endemic to Sri Lanka, has been rediscovered from the State and reported for the first time from India, according to the researchers.

The antlion species Indophanes barbara is found in Kerala in Irinjalakuda, Manakkody in Thrissur district; Pudunagaram, Chittur, Kulikkiliyad in Palakkad district; Chaliyam, Devagiri in Kozhikode district; Kuthuparamba in Kannur district; Aroor in Malappuram district; and Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Doctoral Scholar Suryanarayanan T. B. and research supervisor Bijoy C., Assistant Professor of Christ College, are behind this discovery. The findings are published in the recent issue of the international scientific journals viz, Journal of the Entomological Research Society and Natura Somogyiensis.

“Indophanes barbara and Glenochrysa zeylanica have been reported only from Sri Lanka, validating the similarity between faunal elements in Sri Lanka and Kerala. The larva of Indophanes barbara does not build pits like common antlion species. They live under the surface in loose soils where they are protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain. Adults of Indophanes barbara are misidentified as damselflies by non-taxonomists because of their morphological resemblance. Indophanes barbara, an antlion can be easily distinguished by their long distinct antennae. They come under Order Neuroptera, which includes holometabolous insects while the damselflies come under Order Odonata, which includes hemimetabolous insects” says Mr. Suryanarayanan.

This is the 12th green lacewing species and eighth antlion species reported from Kerala, says Dr. Bijoy. The research was conducted with financial assistance from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

The Shadpada Entomology Research Lab at Christ College has a special emphasis on researching such organisms.