Glyptobasis dentifera: Rare Owlfly Rediscovered in Kerala

Description

Glyptobasis Dentifera

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

A rare species of owlfly has been rediscovered after 75 years in Kerala.

Details

Researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) made this significant finding.
The species, Glyptobasis dentifera (Westwood, 1847), was located in various districts: Pudunagaram (Palakkad), Ramavarmapuram (Thrissur), Vazhayur (Malappuram), Pallikkunnu (Kannur), and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (Idukki).
They also identified another Glyptobasis species, Glyptobasis cornuta (Kimmins, 1949), from Nepal. This species was previously reported in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.

About Owlfly

Category	Details
Temporal Range	Eocene–Recent
Scientific Classification	Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Neuroptera Clade: Myrmeleontiformia Family: Ascalaphidae (Rambur, 1842)
Description	- Fast-flying crepuscular or diurnal predators - Large bulging eyes and knobbed antennae - Larvae are ambush predators - Camouflage in some larvae - Long clubbed antennae distinguishing from dragonflies and antlions
Ecology	- Adults are aerial predators - Larvae are also predatory - Important in maintaining ecological balance - Activity varies by species (day or night)
Anti-predator Defenses	- Release of musk-like chemical - Mimicking broken twig by raising abdomen - Deimatic display with contrasting patches or heliographic signaling
Life Cycle	- Eggs laid on twigs or plant stems - Larvae are ambush predators with scolus-like processes - Some larvae use camouflage - Pupation in a spheroidal silk cocoon

Distinguishing Owlflies

Adult owlflies are often mistaken for dragonflies due to their similar appearance.
Owlflies can be identified by their long, distinct antennae.
They are part of the Order Neuroptera, which includes holometabolous insects.
In contrast, dragonflies belong to the Order Odonata, which consists of hemimetabolous insects.

Hemimetabolism, or hemimetaboly, is a mode of insect development with three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, lacking a pupal stage. Unlike ametabolous insects, hemimetabolous insects do not molt further once they reach adulthood.

Behavior and Habitat

Adult owlflies perch on blades of grass in lateritic soils and near dense vegetation in village households.
They become active during dusk and are attracted to artificial lights at night.
Their flight period in Kerala is mainly from September to November

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is 18 km north of Marayoor on State Highway 17 in Kerala. It is one of 18 wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala and the only rehabilitation centre for the Indian Star Tortoise in India. The sanctuary borders Eravikulam National Park, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary. It is part of a 1,187 km² block of protected forests in the Anaimalai Hills. The Western Ghats, including Chinnar, is under UNESCO World Heritage Site consideration. It receives 500 mm of rain annually. Altitudes range from 400 meters at the Chinnar River to 2,522 meters at Kumarikkal Mala. Major rivers include the Chinnar and Pambar rivers. The sanctuary features the Thoovanam waterfalls and hosts 11 tribal settlements. Muthuvas and Pulayars live there, practicing agriculture and small-scale ganja cultivation.