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Thread-Legged Assassin Bug Myiophanes kempi
A rare thread-legged assassin bug, Myiophanes kempi, first described in 1924, has been rediscovered from limestone caves in the Andaman Islands after nearly a century.
Myiophanes kempi :
| Aspect | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myiophanes kempi. |
| Common Type | Thread-legged assassin bug. |
| Taxonomy | Genus – Myiophanes; belongs to subfamily Reduviidae. |
| First Description | Described in 1924 by British entomologist William Edward China. |
| Recent Discovery | Specimens collected in 2019 from limestone caves in the Andaman Islands and identified recently. |
| Habitat | Subterranean cave ecosystems; completes its lifecycle in darkness. |
| Distribution | Associated with cave systems in the Indian subcontinent, including Meghalaya and Andaman Islands. |
| Morphology | Extremely slender body with long, stilt-like legs. |
| Feeding Behaviour | Uses raptorial forelegs to capture small arthropods in cave environments. |
| Ecological Classification | Troglobitic species adapted to permanent cave life. |
| Ecological Role | Part of subterranean food chains, preying on cave-dwelling organisms. |
| Scientific Significance | Rediscovery indicates cave ecosystems may harbour undiscovered or previously unreported species. |