J. Exp. Zool. Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 181-186, 2011 ISSN 0972-0030

CICINDELID FAUNA (INSECTA : COLEOPTERA) IN , NORTH - EAST INDIA

Daya Nand Harit Department of Zoology, Government College, Champhai - 796 321, India. e-mail : [email protected] (Accepted 28 September 2010)

ABSTRACT – Tiger (Coleoptera : Cicindelidae) are fascinating, colourful with shining of various shades, carnivorous in habits, differentiated from other beetles in having prominent eyes on head and head and eyes are larger then pronotum. Mandibles are large and sickle shaped. Mizoram is one of the North Eastern Hill states of India, where no systematic studies on tiger beetles have so far been done and no mention of tiger beetles have been made in. This paper highlights, first ever studies on tiger beetles, documents, total 12 species of Tiger Beetles, of three sub families namely Collyrinae include one species, Sub family Theratinae include one species, sub family Cicindelinae includes 10 species, based on systematic studies conducted for a period of 12 months, from June 2009 to May 2010, at of Mizoram, North East India for the first time. Key words : Cicindelid, Insecta, Coleoptera, Mizoram.

INTRODUCTION of three sub families namely Collyrinae, which includes Neocollyris spp., Sub family Theratinae, which includes Mizoram state is one of the North Eastern Hill states Therates waagenorum, sub family Cicindelinae includes of India, lies between 21058’-24030’N latitude and 92016’- Cylindera viridalibris, Cylindera delavayi, Cylindera 93025’E longitude, with an area of 21,081 sq. km. having subtilesignata, Cylindera spinolae, Cylindera spp., rich biodiversity. Mizoram state is politically divided into Calomera chloris, Chalomera funerae, Chalomera eight districts, Champhai district is one of them located spp., Chalochroa tritoma, Heptodonta pulchella, based east side. Champhai district has an area of about 3185 sq on systematically studies conducted over a period of 12 km located between 230 to 24005’ N latitude and 930 to months, from June 2009 to May 2010, at Champhai 93026’E longitude, situated east of Mizoram state, District of Mizoram, North East India for the first time. bordering with Myanmar. It is connected to capital Aizawl with only road communication, and is the only way of its METHODOLOGY connection with Mizoram / India. Study area : Systematic surveys were conducted at Tiger Beetles have been studied well in details (Uniyal different areas of Champhai district of Mizoram state (fig. and Brargav, 2007; Uniyal and Sivakumar, 2007; Bhargav 1), like , Vapar, Khawzawl, , , and Uniyal, 2008; Pajni and Bedi, 1973; Pajni et al, 1984; , also include river bank area of river Tuipui Pearson and Anderson,1985; Pearson and Ghorpade, 1987, and river Tiau, from June 2009 to May 2010, over a period 1989; Singh, 1991; Pearson and Cassola, 1992; Carrol of one year. The area of survey includes agricultural fields, and Pearson, 1998; Swada and Wiesner, 1999; Uniyal forests area, and river bank area and road side walks. and Mathur, 2000; Sinu et al, 2006; Tigreros and Kattan, Champhai forests include Tropical wet ever green forests, 2008) in many other parts of India / world. Tropical semi ever green forests and Montane sub tropical forests (Champion and Seth, 1968). Surveys were Rich faunal bioresources of the area, specially Tiger conducted at all possible approachable place of (Coleoptera : Cicindelidae) fauna of the area has unprotected areas of the locality. Occasional encountered not been studied so far. No mention of Tiger Beetles of specimens were also taken and considered for the study. Mizoram has been made in FAUNA OF MIZORAM, 2007, published by Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta. Climatic conditions : Mean temperature of the region varies from 220-260 C, whereas winter temperature Therefore attempt has been made to conduct first varies from 040-230C approximately and summer ever studies on Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera : Cicindelidae) temperature ranger from 180-310C approximately. Average of Mizoram, with special reference to Champhai District rain fall ranges from 1600 – 2200 mm annually. Altitude of Mizoram, North East India. of the area ranges from 500 – 2200 m above msl. This paper highlights total 12 species of Tiger Beetles, 182 Daya Nand Harit

Fig. 1 : Map of India, North East India, Mizoram, and Champhai District, the study area. of Champhai 183 184 Daya Nand Harit Methods and tools used : Visual encounter and covers the mandibles except apices at rest, eyes are surveys methodology was adopted for the study, which is large and prominent; Pronotum is narrow and lass convex the only feasible and appropriate method of surveys in and smooth; Elytra are parallel sided, shoulder well marked this hilly region. Transact method was not suited for all and raised on each side of suture, elytra yellowish pink texa. Tiger Beetles are found to be most easily sampled with three cone shaped marks on lateral side very distinct; by walking along the study area (Pearson and Vogler, Legs are long, bright pinkish brown and slender. 2001). Active searches were made along riverine sandy Habitat observed : Agriculture fields., areas, riverine forests areas, forests paths and agriculture Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, fields, the area of their preference to access species North East India. richness of the area on walk. Opportunistic sightings were also taken into consideration. Periodic surveys were 3. Sub family : Cicindelinae conducted in different sides of Champhai district of 3. Cylindera viridilabris (Chaudoir, 1852) Mizoram to study the Tiger Beetle fauna. Tiger Beetles Taxonomic identification :- Small species, labrum were caught using net and preserved dry for further metallic greenish, mandible dark with upper side of the identification. Identification was done with the help of base white, head shining bronze green; Pronotum shining Fawler (1912), Uniyal and Bhargav (2007) and other Tiger bronze green, brighter at base; Elytra parallel sided, Beetles experts of the world. shoulders quite square, on each side there are four spots, RESULTS one very small in the middle at the first quarter, the second This paper highlights total 12 species of Tiger Beetles lateral slightly transverse and triangular in the middle of (Table -1), of three sub families namely Collyrinae, which the margin, and the third lower rounded not far from the include Neocollyris spp., Sub family Theratinae, which suture and the fourth oval near margin; Legs shining include Therates waagenorum, sub family Cicindelinae coppery with greenish tarsi. include Cylindera viridalibris, Cylindera delavayi, Habitat observed : Riverine sandy areas, Forests Cylindera subtilesignata, Cylindera spinolae, paths, Agriculture fields, Road sides. Cylindera spp., Calomera chloris, Chalomera funerae, Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, Chalomera spp., Chalochroa tritoma, Heptodonta North East India. pulchella, (Plate – 1,) based on systematically studies 4. Cylindera delavayi (Hope, 1831) conducted over a period of 12 months, from June 2009 to May 2010, at Champhai District of Mizoram, North East Taxonomic identification :- Small species, labrum India for the first time. metallic greenish brown, mandible dark with upper side of the base white, head shining bronze brown; Pronotum Insects : Cicindelidae larger then broad, shining bronze brown green, brighter 1. Sub family : Collyrinae at base; Elytra parallel sided, shoulders quite square, two 1. Neocillyris spp. transverse broad comma shaped marks on each elytra Taxonomic identification - Head blue green slightly dividing whole elytra into almost equal three parts, elytra impressed between eyes, antenna long and slender, eyes slightly darker then pronotum; Legs shining coppery brown, are prominent; Pronotum is blue green elongated much with darker tarsi. constricted above base, flask shaped contracted in front Habitat observed : Forests paths, Agriculture fields, into a shorter column; Elytra bright blue, narrow, and Road sides, punctured; Legs are brick red coloured and tarsi are Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, spongy beneath with fourth joint symmetrically dilated, North East India. use to cling foliage. 5. Cylindera subtilesignata (Mandl, 1970) Habitat observed : Agriculture fields, Road sides. Taxonomic identification :- Head green blue, dirty Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, golden, finely striated longitudinally between eyes, antenna North East India. with four basal segments greenish black, rest pachy; 2. Sub family : Theratinae Pronotum coppery with green margins slightly narrow 2. Therates waagenorum (W.Horn, 1900) towards base; Elytra slightly widened behind base, each elytron is coppery with green strip extending marginally Taxonomic identification :- Outer lobe of maxillary from shoulders to basal one fourth and then sub marginally palpi obsolete and has minute setae like process, absence up to basal three fourth, markings whitish; Legs are blue of tooth in the centre of the mentum labrum is large, long Tiger beetle of Champhai 185 green, and dull reddish. base, each elytron is coppery black with no distinct strip, Habitat observed : Agriculture fields. broad dark transverse band appear in the middle of each elytra; Legs are blue black, and brown dull reddish. (under Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, further identification). North East India. Habitat observed : Forests paths, Agriculture fields. 6. Cylindera spinolae (Gestro) Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, Taxonomic identification :- Head is small, black, North East India. striated between the eyes, antenna with four basal segments metallic with red green, rest dull black coloured; 8. Calomera chloris (Hope, 1831) Pronotum longer then wide, blue coppery margins; Elytra Taxonomic identification :- Head green and surface is uniformly pitted, shoulders bluish green and coppery in the centre, broad slightly in the middle of the coppery, each elytron has two clear white yellow spots eyes, surface is finely striated, antenna green at four to near posterior half of the margin and two other minute five basal segments rest copper black; Pronotum green yellowish spots in the centre on either side of elytra; Legs with green blue sides; Elytron foliage green to dull green, are metallic red green, tarsi greenish in colour. much broader then pronotum, two white spots joined with Habitat observed : Agriculture fields. fine white line at the base second half of each elytron, and behind a comma shaped spot of similar size, is there; Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, Legs metallic green. North East India. Habitat observed : Riverine sandy areas. 7. Cylindera spp. Remarks : This is the first report from Mizoram, Taxonomic identification :- Head green blue, dirty North East India. golden, finely striated longitudinally between eyes, antenna with four basal segments gray black, rest pachy; Pronotum 9. Calomera funerea (Hope, 1831) coppery with gray margins slightly narrow towards base, Taxonomic identification :- Head coppery brown slightly longer then wide; Elytra slightly widened behind in the centre, broad slightly in the middle of the eyes, surface is finely striated, antenna brown at four to five

Table. 1 : List of Tiger beetle (Coleoptera : Cicindelidae) fauna observed, at Champhai district of Mizoram, North East India. basal segments rest copper brown; Sub family Species Habitat Pronotum brown, pubescence of the 1. Collyrinae pronotum less projecting at sides; Elytron 1. Neocollyris spp. Agriculture fields, Road sides, brown, much broader then pronotum, two white spots joined with fine white line at 2. Theratinae the base second half of each elytron, and 2. Therates waagenorum Agriculture fields. behind a comma shaped spot of similar size, 3. Cicindelinae is there; Legs metallic brown. 3. Cylindera viridilabris Riverine sandy areas, Forests paths, Habitat observed : Riverine sandy Agriculture fields, Road sides, areas. 4. Cylindera delavayi Forests paths, Agriculture fields, Road Remarks : This is the first report from sides, Mizoram, North East India. 5. Cylindera subtilesignata Agriculture fields. 10. Calomera spp. Cylindera spinolae 6. Agriculture fields. Taxonomic identification :- Head 7. Cylindera spp. Forests paths, Agriculture fields. green and coppery in the centre, broad 8. Calomera chloris Riverine sandy areas. slightly in the middle of the eyes, surface is 9. Calomera funerea Riverine sandy areas. finely striated, antenna green at four to five basal segments rest copper black; Pronotum 10. Calomera spp. Riverine sandy areas. green with green blue sides; Elytron foliage 11. Calochroa tritoma Riverine sandy areas. green to dull green, much broader then 12. Heptodonta pulchella Riverine sandy areas, Forests paths, pronotum, one white spot at margin in middle Agriculture fields, Road sides, and one posterior slightly little above apex; 186 Daya Nand Harit Legs metallic green. (under identification, probably differ REFERENCES from Calomera chloris) Bhargav V K and Uniyal V P (2008) Communal roosting of Tiger Habitat observed : Riverine sandy areas. 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