ATREE Researchers Discover Two New Rare Solitary Bee Species in Siang Valley, AR

ATREE Researchers Discover Two New Rare Solitary Bee Species in Siang Valley, AR

• Who: Researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment [ATREE], Bengaluru.
• Where: Siang Expedition in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Species: 'Elaphropoda triangulata' - named for triangular abdominal markings, 'Habropoda adi' - honours indigenous Adi community of AR.
• Published in: European Journal of Taxonomy.
• Ecology: Solitary ground-nesting bees, build individual nests not colonies, vital role in pollinating wild plants and crops, currently known only from single male specimen each.
• Global Significance: Globally only 13 species of Elaphropoda and 55 species of Habropoda known.
• Importance: Highlights biodiversity of Eastern Himalayas, need for surveys and conservation.
• UPSC Relevance: GS3 - Environment, Biodiversity, Pollinators, Eastern Himalayas hotspot.