- Home
- Current Affairs
- Current News
- Discovery of "Butterfly Cicada": New Species Unveiled in Meghalaya
Discovery of "Butterfly Cicada": New Species Unveiled in Meghalaya
- 01 Apr 2024
Scientists have recently revealed the discovery of a captivating new cicada species, informally named the "Butterfly Cicada", in Meghalaya.
Key Points
- First Record of Genus in India: The newly discovered cicada, belonging to the genus Becquartina, is the first-ever record of this genus in the country, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Meghalaya.
- Colourful Wings Earn Nickname: The cicada's vibrant wings earned it the nickname "Butterfly Cicada", with its species name "bicolour" reflecting its distinctive dual color forms.
- Multiple Locality Discoveries: Discovered around Balpakram National Park and Nongkhrah community forest, the cicada's morphological and bioacoustic investigations suggest a single species despite its distinct localities.
- Call for Conservation: Researchers emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect the endemic cicada species, confined to protected areas in Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi district.
- Habitat Preference and Calling Patterns: The cicada species thrives in thick forests and native vegetation, with males exhibiting varying calling patterns between Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts during April to June.
- Importance of Habitat Conservation: The discovery underscores the significance of preserving the cicada's habitat in protected areas and community forests to safeguard its biodiversity.
- Distinct Wing Patterns: The cicada's wings display distinct patterns, with one form featuring rich saffron spots and the other showcasing a greenish-brown fascia on the forewing.
- Regional Distribution and Genus Characteristics: The genus Becquartina, represented by six species in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its colourful wings, earning it the moniker "Butterfly Cicadas" across China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
News Crux
News Crux
News Crux
- Appointment & Resignation
- Art/Culture/Heritage
- Awards In News
- Bill/Act/Amendment
- Defence
- Defence/Military Exercises
- Famous Books
- Important Days/Weeks
- Important Decade
- Miscellaneous
- Obituary
- Organisation In News
- Persons In News
- Places In News
- Plans & Policy
- Reports/Committee/Commission
- Scheme & Programme
- Species In News
- Summit, Seminars & Conferences
- Survey/Index
- Web Portal & Apps
State In News
State In News
State In News
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Delhi
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jammu And Kashmir
- Jharkhand
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Ladakh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Odisha
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Tripura
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- West Bengal