Four New Species of Rove Beetle Disovered

A latest study published in the journal Zookeys states that four new species of rove beetles have been discovered in the Ningxia Autonomous Region, China. 

The specimens were discovered during the hunt of insect fauna at the Liupan Shan Natural Reserve. Apart from these, 11 new records of the Stenus species were found.

The four species have been named as Stenus Biwenxuani, Stenus Liupanshanus, Dianous Yinziweii, Dianous ningxiaensis. These belong to the Steninae subfamily of the large family of rove beetles.

Dr. Liang Tang from the Department of Biology, Shanghai Normal University, was quoted in Sciencedaily stating: "As far as the Steninae are concerned, Ningxia Autonomous Region is one of the most poorly explored regions, with merely two species being recorded until 2008."

The rove beetle family is known for its unique ability to slide over the water surface. It has developed this special skill through evolutionary changes, wherein the secretion of a gland reduces the surface tension.

Out of the four newly discovered species, two belong to the genus Dianous and the other two belong to the genus Stenus. In Dianous, all insects have the ability to glide on the water surface, but in Stenus liupanshanus, this ability is partially available as they reside on leaf litter. Stenus biwenxuani are water gliders and were discovered near the shore.

Steninae are known to be predators of small vertebrae such as collembolan. They are known to have a different hunting technique. Like in the genus Stenus, they eject some of their mouth parts with the help of blood pressure. Their labium has a pair of pads at the end that give out a sticky glue-like substance that sticks to prey and traps it.

According to Tang, this paper reports the result which includes new Stenus and two new Dianous species, and new province records for 11 Stenus species.