September 28, 2025

Hold on to your hats, nature lovers! The Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) at Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, has announced a thrilling discovery—two brand-new species of antlions! These little creatures belong to the charming insect family Myrmeleontidae under Neuroptera, known for their amazing life and hunting styles. The first star of this discovery, Indophanes keralaensis, was spotted deep in the forest regions of Sairandhri and Siruvani in Palakkad district, and also in the beautiful Pampadum Shola National Park of Idukki. Named after Kerala, this new species celebrates the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot that is home to many wonders. The second new arrival, Indophanes sahyadriensis, comes from places like Siruvani (Palakkad), Pakshipathalam and Thirunelly (Wayanad), and Ranipuram (Kasaragod). Its name honors the Sahyadri—what locals call the Western Ghats—a magical place bursting with rich natural life. What’s the big deal with Indophanes? This genus is found across China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and until now had nine known species worldwide. Thanks to this breakthrough, there are now eleven! India’s tally for Indophanes species jumps to five, with three calling Kerala home. The research, published in the global journal Zootaxa, was led by bright minds: SERL researcher and St. Aloysius College Assistant Professor Suryanarayanan T. B., SERL head and Christ College Assistant Professor Bijoy C., and Hungarian scientist Levente Ábrahám. Dr. Suryanarayanan shared a powerful thought: “This reinforces the crucial role academic institutions and local biodiversity surveys play in filling the gaps in India’s faunal inventory, particularly for lesser-known insect groups like antlions.” Let’s unravel some antlion secrets! Often mistaken for damselflies because of how they look, antlions can be told apart by their long, clubbed antennae. Antlions belong to the order Neuroptera—holometabolous insects with complete metamorphosis—while damselflies are from the order Odonata, with simpler metamorphosis. These antlions’ babies (larvae) are famous for digging cool sand traps to catch food, but the Indophanes genus takes a different path. Their larvae hide under loose soil, safe from sunlight, wind, and rain, making them nature’s secret sleepers! With these discoveries, Kerala now boasts 12 antlion species, and India’s total climbs to an impressive 110, says Dr. Bijoy. This entire study was proudly supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. So, the next time you walk through Kerala’s forests, remember: tiny antlions around you might be new friends the world just met!

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Antlions, New species, Kerala biodiversity, Western ghats, Neuroptera, Indophanes,