Thorictus bengalensis Hava &Chakrovorty, 2024
The new species of myrmecophilous beetle was discovered by iForNature Nature Club, from the rooftop garden maintained by iForNature at Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The new species is a member of the family Dermestidae, subfamily Thorictinae and Tribe Thorictini. The specimens were collected from the nests of Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini), which is its host species.
The subfamily Thorictinae Agassiz, 1846, with 189 described species worldwide, is a myrmecophilous subfamily of beetles under the family Dermestidae (Coleoptera) (Háva 2023, Motyka et al. 2022). Its members can be recognized by their small size, strongly convex and strongly hardened bodies, reduced or absent eyes, absent wings, and their rounded hind coxae that do not reach the outer edge of the metasternum.
The specimens were collected by aspiration, after which the specimens were dry mounted on a cardboard point. The specimen was examined using Radical Stereo Zoom Trinocular Microscope. Images were captured at different layers having the sharpest focus and were then stacked to a single image using Helicon Focus 8 software. Measurements were calibrated using Erma Stage Micrometer (1mm -100 divisions).
Additionally, a checklist of Indian Thorictus species has been added, Thorictus wroughtoni Wasmann, 1912 stat. nov. was elevated from subspecies to a separate species and all recorded Dermestid beetles from the rooftop garden has been photo-documented.
Figs 9-11: 9. Attagenus fasciatus (Thunberg, 1795); 10. Anthrenus (Anthrenodes) maculifer Reitter, 1881; 11. Anthrenus (Anthrenus) oceanicus Fauvel, 1903 (photo by Arnob Chakrovorty).
Media coverage of the news of the discovery of new myrmecophilous beetle species, Thorictus bengalensis Have & CHakrovorty, 2024 by iForNature Nature Club, from the rooftop garden maintained by iForNature at Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The news also highlights the importance of rooftop garden in urban setups for the sustenance of urban entomofauna and features the rediscovery of the sandwasp species, Bembecinus proximus (Handlirsch, 1892).
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