Study of Kole wetlands reveals four new pygmy grasshopper species

A scientific study conducted at the Kole wetlands, a Ramsar-listed ecosystem in Kerala, has documented a total of 12 species of pygmy grasshoppers. Of them, four species are new records for the State.

The research was carried out by scientists from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College, Irinjalakuda. Significantly, the study also reports two genera — Thoradonta and Tetrix — for the first time from Kerala.

The Kole wetlands are widely recognised as a major birding destination, supporting large populations of resident and migratory birds. The new findings underline the ecological importance of this wetland system in sustaining lesser-known and often overlooked insect groups, in addition to its well-documented avifaunal diversity, said Bijoy C., research supervisor and assistant professor.

Pygmy grasshoppers are small, ground-dwelling insects typically associated with moist habitats. They are highly sensitive to changes in microhabitat conditions, making them valuable bio-indicators of wetland health. Unlike other grasshoppers, pygmy grasshoppers are characterised by an extended pronotum that covers much of their body.

The four species newly recorded from Kerala are Thoradonta spiculoba, Tetrix arcunotus, Hedotettix lineifera and Hedotettix attenuatus.

The study was conducted by Thasnim E.S., research scholar; Dr. Bijoy C., research supervisor and Assistant Professor; and Dhaneesh Bhaskar, regional vice-chair (Asia), IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group, Care Earth Trust, Chennai.

The findings have been published in the Journal of Orthoptera Research, an international peer-reviewed journal. The research was supported by financial assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC).