Spathaspina noohi : New species of beetle
A new species of beetle, named Spathaspina noohi, was recently discovered from the biodiverse forests of Meghalaya.
- Spathaspina noohi is a new species of beetle.
- The beetle was found in the Umran area of Ri Bhoi district in Meghalaya at an elevation of 781 metres.
- It belongs to the weevil family.
- Weevils are part of the large beetle family Curculionidae, which includes over 60,000 known species globally.
- While many are known as agricultural pests, some, like the Spathaspina noohi, play important roles in ecosystems by helping control invasive plant species and maintaining ecological balance.
- Spathaspina noohi features a striking sword-like spine on its back. This highly unusual anatomical feature led researchers to assign it to an entirely new genus within the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae.
- This new genus name combines the Latin words spatha (meaning sword) and spina (meaning spine), inspired by the beetle’s prominent spine.
- The subfamily Ceutorhynchinae includes just over 1,300 species.
- These beetles are found around the world, but not in New Zealand, Oceania, Antarctica and nearby islands, or southern South America (below central Argentina and Chile).
- The greatest variety of these beetles is seen in the Palaearctic Region (Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia), followed by the Oriental Region (South and Southeast Asia).
- Ceutorhynchinae beetles can be identified by their sturdy body, their ability to tuck their snout (rostrum) between their front legs when at rest, and the visibility of a part of their body (mesanepimera) from the back — except in a few genera like Cyphosenus and Ceutorhynchoides.
