SRINAGAR — In a remarkable feat, three Kashmiri scientists have discovered a new fascinating species of Hoverfly that expertly mimics Wasps in the high-altitude alpine forests of Kashmir.
The finding not only adds to understanding of the rich insect life in the Kashmir region but also highlights the importance of local expertise in scientific discovery.
Hoverflies act as important pollinators in high altitude alpine regions and help in nutrient recycling. The female of the newly discovered hoverfly was named Spilomyia Recta.
Breakthrough came during a biodiversity survey conducted by the research team consisting of Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Wachkoo, Dr. Amir Maqbool, and Suhaib Firdous Yatoo in the Rafiabad forests.
To confirm the identification, male specimens were required, and it took the team more than two years to locate and capture the male specimens for study.
After a detailed morphological analysis and DNA sequencing, it was confirmed that the species was indeed new to science, despite its close resemblance to the European Congener.
“What makes this discovery particularly exciting is the hoverfly’s uncanny resemblance to Wasps,” said Dr. Aijaz, the senior team member.
“This mimicry likely helps protect it from predators, who mistake it for the more dangerous Wasp.” Dr Amir Maqbool explained the ecological significance: “Our initial observations suggest that this hoverfly species plays a crucial role in nutrient recycling in its habitat.
Moreover, we believe it could be a potential pollinator of high-altitude medicinal plants, which are vital to the region’s biodiversity and traditional medicine practices.”
The discovery underscores the biodiversity of the Kashmir region and its potential for further scientific exploration. It also demonstrates the valuable contributions of local scientists to global entomological knowledge and ecosystem understanding. “We hope this discovery inspires more young Kashmiris to pursue careers in science,” Suhaib Yatoo added,
“There’s so much more to learn about our local flora and fauna, especially regarding the intricate relationships between insects and plants in our unique high altitude ecosystems.”
The team’s findings have been published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, a highly respected publication in the field of entomological research.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1226861524000591)
This peer-reviewed journal is renowned for its rigorous standards and significant contributions to the understanding of insect biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific region.
As research continues, the team plans to study the new species’ ecological role more deeply, particularly its impact on nutrient cycling and its relationships with high-altitude medicinal plants. The research could potentially open new avenues for agricultural and conservation research in the region. — (RK)