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A new Indian beetle species has been discovered in India named Omorgus Khandesh.
About Omorgus Khandesh
- Omorgus Khandesh is necrophagous and is, therefore, also called a keratin beetle.
Photo: Aparna Kalawate - During the decomposition of a body, blowflies are amongst the first ones to arrive in the early stages.
- Meanwhile, the final successional stage is with the arrival of the keratin feeders, thus their importance in forensic science.
- The new species belongs to the Trogidae family.
- With the addition of this new species, now there are a total of 14 extant species of this family in India.
- The beetles of this group are sometimes called hide beetles as they tend to cover their body under the soil and hide.
- They are not photogenic; they are usually black or grey and encrusted in dirt.
- Their bumpy appearance is distinct, with short, dense setae all over the body.
- The new species is morphologically most similar to Omorgus rimulosus.
- Omorgus Khandesh is mainly associated with bird and mammal nests or burrows and the details of their life histories are poorly known. They feign death upon being disturbed and become motionless.
- The keratin beetles are less studied in the Oriental region generally and India particularly as compared to the other part of the world.
Source: DTE
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