Entomology Breakthrough: New Beetle Species Discovered with Crucial Role in Forensic Science

A new species of beetle has been discovered in India, and it has already gained attention for its importance in forensic science. The beetle, named Omorgus Khandesh, is a keratin beetle that feeds on the keratin found in the hair and nails of dead animals and humans. This makes it a valuable tool for forensic investigators as it can help determine the time of death of a body. The discovery of Omorgus Khandesh was made by Aparna Sureshchandra Kalawate, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre. The beetle was found in the collections of the WRC, and the findings were published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa. The paper was co-authored by Werner P Strümpher of the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria, South Africa. The beetle is the 14th extant species of the Trogidae family to be discovered in India. Although little is known about its life history, it is mostly connected to the nests and burrows of birds and mammals. The beetle is also known to act dead by stopping movement when disturbed. The discovery of this new species is significant as keratin beetles are less studied in the Oriental region, particularly in India. The paper published in Zootaxa provides important details on the catalog of the subgenus Omorgus, including their type depositories, synonyms, and known geographical distributions. Overall, the discovery of Omorgus Khandesh highlights the importance of continued research and exploration in the field of entomology, particularly in lesser-known regions of the world.