By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 28: A stunning new species of cicada, informally dubbed the “Butterfly Cicada”, has been discovered in Meghalaya, by scientists. This cicada, belonging to the genus Becquartina, marks the first-ever record of this genus in the country. The colorful wings of the cicada earned it the nickname “butterfly cicada”, with the species name “bicolour” reflecting its two distinct colour forms.
The discovery, published in the journal Zootaxa, brings the total number of known species in the genus Becquartina to seven.
The cicada was first found around Balpakram National Park in South Garo Hills District in 2017 by Dr Vivek Sarkar of the Wildlife Institute of India, and later in Nongkhrah community forest in Ri-Bhoi district in 2020 by Sudhanya Ray Hajong, Head of Department of Zoology, NEHU. Subsequently, it was also independently recorded in the year 2020 by Rodeson Thangkiew, a Research Fellow working with Prof. Hajong.
There are, however, no records of its occurrence between these localities. Investigations in terms of its morphology and bioacoustics revealed the similarities in these two populations, thus indicating a single species.
Prof. Hajong told The Shillong Times, “We made several observations and call recordings of the species, including collecting a few more specimens for our research.”
He added, “It is a unique cicada generally grouped as ‘butterfly cicada’ because of its colourful wings. The species name bicolour was used in reference to the fact that there are two distinct colour forms of this species. The present discovery adds up to the total number of species as seven.”
Prof. Hajong also called for conservation of the species owing to its endemic nature, its presence being only in a protected area of Garo Hills and in a community forest in Ri-Bhoi.
It has not been found in other parts of Northeast India. The species is localised in Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi district, preferring thick forests and native vegetation. Active from April to June, the cicada’s calling patterns vary between Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts. In Garo Hills, males call rigorously in the morning and evening, while in Ri-Bhoi, calls are heard during daylight hours.
Altogether, the genus Becquartina has six species known from Southeast Asia. This discovery underscores the importance of conserving the cicada’s habitat in protected areas and community forests.
The basal one-third of the hind wing is rich saffron, and the apical two-thirds are matte black with prominent rich saffron squarish spots from 2nd to 4th sub-apical cells and traces of spots on 1st and 5th apical cells. These sub-apical spots collectively appear as a sub-apical patch.
The second form or white form has a post-internodal transverse fascia on forewing which is greenish-brown. Basal one third of hind wing is pale, faintly greenish white, and apical two-thirds are matte black. The cicada genus Becquartina is represented by six species found distributed in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The species in this genus are often called “Butterfly cicadas” because of their colourful wings.