Kohima: A research team led by Nagaland University has identified a new species of stingless bee in the Wokha district. Named Tetragonula yikhumensis after Yikhum village, the insect is now formally recognized by science. The discovery highlights Nagaland as a vital hub for insect diversity.
Noyingbeni M. Odyuo, a research scholar at the Department of Zoology, spearheaded the effort. Professors Bendang Ao and Ranjit Kumar of Nagaland University provided guidance. The team included Dr. Ramesh Kumar and Sudipto Dey from the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.
Odyuo first encountered stingless bees when Dr. Chiangmong Khiamniungan of NLSIU Bangalore offered her their honey. The taste sparked her interest. She eventually left her job to pursue a Ph.D. focused on the taxonomy and biology of these bees. The team began collecting specimens in November 2022. They surveyed 12 locations across Wokha to ensure their findings were consistent.
Fieldwork was a grind. The team trekked through dense forests, climbed hills, and crossed streams to find underground or tree-nesting colonies. Odyuo said, “The biggest challenge was finding the colonies.” They used a Leica stereomicroscope and DNA barcoding to confirm the species had unique body proportions and genitalia. It took nearly four years to finalize the work.
The study also relied on local support. Family members and volunteers helped carry supplies and locate nests. Chumthungo Murry donated a colony for the research, while Dr. Lobeno Mozhui provided academic support. Odyuo stated, “Scientific discoveries are rarely the work of one person alone.”
Stingless bees are essential pollinators for forests and crops. Odyuo noted their role in improving food security and ecosystem health. The team now plans to study the nutritional value of their honey and continue research into Northeast India's insect population.
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