Shillong, June 8: A new wonder has emerged from the biodiverse forests of Meghalaya — a sword-spined weevil that not only represents a new species but an entirely new genus named Spathaspina.
This beetle, formally described by Indian entomologists, adds a fresh marvel to the growing list of unique life forms found in India’s Northeast.
Named Spathaspina noohi, this rare weevil sports a dramatic sword-like spine on its back—an anatomical feature so unique that it led researchers to assign it to an entirely new genus within the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae.
Weevils, belonging to the beetle family Curculionidae, are among the most diverse insects in the world, with more than 60,000 species described. While many are agricultural pests, others play essential ecological roles, such as feeding on invasive plant species and maintaining plant-insect dynamics.
Identified in the Umran area of Ri Bhoi district at an altitude of 781 metres, the beetle sports a remarkable sword-like spine on its back, which inspired the genus name Spathaspina, drawn from the Latin spatha (sword) and spina (spine). The species was discovered by S.S. Anooj, an entomologist from Kerala Agricultural University, and formally described by Dr. B. Ramesha in the international journal Zootaxa.
“This new genus not only adds to our understanding of weevil diversity but also highlights how much more there is to discover in Meghalaya’s ecosystems,” said Dr. Ramesha.
The subfamily Ceutorhynchinae includes just over 1,300 species. These beetles are found around the world, but not in New Zealand, Oceania, Antarctica and nearby islands, or southern South America (below central Argentina and Chile). The greatest variety of these beetles is seen in the Palaearctic Region (Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia), followed by the Oriental Region (South and Southeast Asia).
Ceutorhynchinae beetles can be identified by their sturdy body, their ability to tuck their snout (rostrum) between their front legs when at rest, and the visibility of a part of their body (mesanepimera) from the back — except in a few genera like Cyphosenus and Ceutorhynchoides.
One group within Ceutorhynchinae, the tribe Mecysmoderini, currently includes 8 genera and 107 species, mostly found in the Oriental region. This tribe is unique for features like a spine-like projection at the back of the pronotum (part of the thorax), a hidden scutellar shield, and usually 6 segments in a part of the antenna called the funicle.
The species, Spathaspina noohi, is named in honour of P. B. Nooh, IAS, Director of Tourism, Government of Kerala, for his efforts in promoting nature-based tourism. The researchers say the naming is a tribute to his role in balancing ecological protection with sustainable development.
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