Shillong, Sept 18: Meghalaya’s forests have yielded yet another scientific surprise with the discovery of a new cockroach species, Anaplectoidea garoensis, in the South Garo Hills. The finding, published in Zootaxa, marks the first confirmed record of the genus Anaplectoidea in India.
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India’s Southern Regional Centre identified two new species—A. garoensis from Meghalaya and A. indica from Jharkhand. The Garo Hills specimen, collected near Baghmara in October 2024, is characterised by its dark brown body, asymmetrical subgenital plate, and distinctive wing venation. Unlike common household cockroaches, these nocturnal shrub-dwellers are forest specialists, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health.
India hosts about 180 cockroach species, yet fewer than 10 occur around human habitation. “Most cockroaches live in leaf litter and decaying wood, playing a vital role in decomposition and ecosystem balance. They are ancient insects, with origins dating back over 300 million years,” the authors note.
With this discovery, the Garo Hills now join Southeast Asia and China on the Anaplectoidea distribution map. Globally, 16 species are known, with A. garoensis and A. indica expanding the genus’ range to India for the first time.
“The discovery of new species of cockroach from Meghalaya is very important as it is after several decades that a new species of cockroach is being reported from the North Eastern states. It also highlight how less we know about the insect biodiversity of north east and call for much more intensive and dedicated study” the authors say.
The Garo Hills, already home to the clouded leopard, Himalayan newt, orchids, and pitcher plants, will now gain further recognition as a biodiversity hotspot.
Experts say the identification of A. garoensis underscores how little is still known about Northeast India’s insect diversity and highlights the need for more intensive entomological surveys.
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