A new species of cleptoparasitic bee from the genus Tetralonioidella has been discovered in Ri Bhoi district at the Botanical Survey of India, Umiam.
This discovery was made by researchers, Pynhunlin Nola K. Dohling and Dr. Debjani Dey from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
The new species has been named Tetralonioidella meghalayensis Dohling & Dey, 2024. The species marks the third species of Tetralonioidella identified in India and the twentieth in the world.
The family Apidae, which includes the genus Tetralonioidella, is the largest bee family globally, comprising over 6,090 species. These bees are known for their role as prolific pollinators. The genus Tetralonioidella belongs to the tribe Melectini, a group of cleptoparasitic bees that parasitize other bees, like those in the genera Elaphropoda and Habropoda.
Tetralonioidella species are typically found in regions from northern India and Nepal across the Himalayas to Southeast Asia.
The new species was found foraging in and around Chinese Rain Bells plant that is employed in ancient medicinal practices to combat helminthiasis and spider bite poison. It is recognised as a garden plant and possesses antimicrobial, anthelmintic and antioxidant attributes within its leaves.
The researches carried out random sampling using a standard insect sweep net over wildflowers, followed by careful preservation and identification of the specimens. The specimens were photographed and analyzed using advanced microscopy techniques to detail their morphological characteristics.
The female T. meghalayensis measures approximately 15.07 mm in body length, long antennae, a deeply emarginated labral apex, and distinct body hairs of yellow to dark brown and black colours and wings which are translucent with brown shades. The new species is particularly noted for its distinctive yellow tomentum on the fourth tergite and absence of scutellar spines on its thorax, features not present in its congeners.
T.meghalayensis is structurally similar to T. himalayana, sharing features like body shape and pubescence.
The discovery of T. meghalayensis underscores the rich biodiversity of the northeastern region of India. The presence of cleptoparasitic bees like Tetralonioidella indicates a healthy and diverse bee community, crucial for ecological stability and pollination.
The researchers hope that this discovery will lead to more extensive surveys and studies, potentially uncovering additional species. The detailed descriptions and identification keys provided by Dohling and Dey will aid future researchers in identifying and studying these rare bees.
The addition of Tetralonioidella meghalayensis Dohling & Dey, 2024 to India’s known bee fauna is a significant milestone in entomological research. This discovery not only adds to the scientific knowledge of bee species in India but also emphasises the importance of conservation and detailed ecological studies in biodiversity-rich regions.
