The World Tiger Beetle Day celebrations draw consideration to those lesser-known group of vibrant bugs

Enigmatic tiger beetle
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Many beetles are dark-coloured and go about their enterprise within the underbrush, unseen by human eyes. The charismatic tiger beetles, a bunch of predatory bugs, however are laborious to overlook. Their metallic-green our bodies sparkle as they perch within the open. One of many species, the Enigmatic tiger beetle found at Ammayanaikanur in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu hasn’t been seen for over 200 years, making it probably extinct. One other one referred to as Bengaluru tethys documented in Bengaluru within the Nineteen Nineties is threatened on account of speedy urbanisation town has undergone.

As November 11 is now formally celebrated as World Tiger Beetle Day, which additionally marks the birthday of David Pearson, a trailblazer in tiger beetle analysis, conservation, and world outreach, a collection of workshops and talks occur throughout the nation that hope to construct respect, nurture, and preserve the six-legged tigers. Pearson can also be a major creator of the Area Information to the Tiger Beetles of India.

At a digital get collectively organised by South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group (SAsISG), based mostly at Zoo Outreach Organisation in Coimbatore, a various group of scholars, naturalists, wildlife educators, conservationists, nature lovers, and researchers listened in apt consideration as David gave a chat on tiger beetles, their pure historical past, fascinating behaviours, variety, ecology, and conservation strategies. One of many suggestions is to create extra consciousness and curiosity on this lesser-known group of bugs. “Tiger beetle is an indicator species of environmental and ecological well being. The tendencies, variety, and particular person numbers of tiger beetles decide the standard of habitats accessible for biodiversity and for agriculture,” says Sanjay Molur, government director of Zoo Outreach Organisation.

India has 241 species of tiger beetles, which is the third highest variety of species on the planet. To know extra on the tiger beetles, researchers throughout India, engaged on tiger beetles got here collectively at IUCN Pink Record Evaluation workshop carried out by SAsISG in Could 2024. The staff assessed 122 species endemic to India, which is tentatively 46 per cent of the species threatened with extinction. Plantations, mining, tourism, and urbanisation are the most important threats for this group.

For instance, Spindle-necked Tethys discovered solely in Ponmudi, Periyar Nationwide Park of Kerala is threatened by plantations and tourism. Whereas the Speckled Tehthys present in Anaimalai, Nilgiri, and Meghamalai foothills of Tamil Nadu at 300 to 700 metres altitude in shrub forested slopes is very threatened by tourism, the Waxen tiger beetle, documented in 1987 at a single locality of Manapad district, Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu hasn’t been seen since.

“Tiger beetles are top-predators of the insect world characterised by their massive bulging eyes, lengthy legs, and lengthy curvy jaws. They’re glorious hunters and are recognized for his or her working pace. These beetles are spectacularly colored, whereas some have restricted distribution, some have pan-India distribution starting from moist forests to scrublands,” says Usha Ravindra, analysis assistant at SAsISG.

 The Skinny Brush, endemic to the Northeast has stunning metallic colourations and was final documented at south japanese Meghalaya at an altitude of 1400 metres. tiger beetles play essential function in managing different insect populations, and sustaining ecosystem stability because the majestic beetles are the buddies of farmers. 

Numerous species are endemic too. For instance, the Violet-sided tiger beetle, a big and charismatic tiger beetle, simply identified by its blue-green and purple patches on the perimeters of its head is restricted to the Jorebungalow forest area of Darjeeling. The Wrinkled Knobby, a black and yellow magnificence, is a uncommon species confined to small space on the foothills of the Jap Himalayas in Darjeeling whose pure habitat is quickly declining on account of tourism and elevated tea plantations. It requires intensive surveys and behavioural research to search out out methods to preserve this beetle.