Six New Scarab Beetles Discovered in India

India’s rich biodiversity continues to surprise as scientists discover six new species of scarab beetles in two biodiversity hotspots—Northeast India and the Western Ghats. These findings, published in the journal Zootaxa, highlight both the immense biodiversity of the region and the need for continued conservation and exploration efforts.

Key Highlights

New Beetle Species Identified (Subfamily: Sericinae)

1. Maladera champhaiensis – Champhai, Mizoram
2. Maladera barasingha – Named after swamp deer, due to antler-like structure
3. Maladera lumlaensis – Lumla, Arunachal Pradesh
4. Maladera onam – Kerala; named after the Onam festival
5. Neoserica churachandpurensis – Churachandpur, Manipur
6. Serica subansiriensis – Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh

Discoverers of the Species

• Dr. Devanshu Gupta
• Dr. Debika Bhunia
• Dr. Dirk Ahrens
• Dr. Kailash Chandra

Regions of Discovery

• Five species in Northeast India
• One species in Kerala, Western Ghats

Biodiversity Hotspots

• Eastern Himalayas (Northeast India): A center of endemism and evolution
• Western Ghats: A UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in endemic species

Method of Discovery

• Based on study of Zoological Survey of India’s National Zoological Collection
• In collaboration with Germany’s Museum A. Koenig

Additional Contributions

• 28 new state records added (e.g., Maladera bengalensis in Goa, M. seriatoguttata in Maharashtra)

Ecological Importance of Sericinae Beetles

• Soil aeration, nutrient recycling, pest control
• Some species act as agricultural pests
• Integral to ecosystem balance and food webs

Significance

• Highlights international cooperation in conservation science
• Stresses need for further sampling and closing knowledge gaps