New Wormlion Species Identified in the Himalayas
A new species of giant wormlion fly, Vermitigris tsangyanggyatso, has been identified on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, according to a recent report by Earth.com. This discovery marks a significant addition to the genus Vermitigris and the family Vermileonidae.
The larvae of this species were first collected in 1978 by entomologist Fa-Sheng Li in Yadong County, southern Xizang (Tibet). However, without adult specimens, the species remained undescribed for decades. A field expedition in 2025, guided by these historical records, successfully collected larvae, pupae, and adult specimens, allowing for formal identification.
Named in honor of Tsangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama, Vermitigris tsangyanggyatso is notable for its size. Adults can reach a body length of up to 19.5 mm, with wings nearly 16 mm long. The larvae are even larger, exceeding 25 mm in length, and are characterized by a single fleshy stub with 5–7 spines on the proleg.
This discovery increases the number of Vermitigris species in China from one to two and globally from four to five. The total number of extant species in the family Vermileonidae now stands at 67.
The specimens, including the holotype and paratypes, are preserved in 75% ethanol and housed at the Biological Science Museum, Dali University, China.