Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, PIB: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of hoverflies in the Gangetic Plains region of West Bengal. Known as *Eristalinus sapphirinus* and *Eristalinus brunettii*, the discovery of these two species marks a significant addition to the study of the *Eristalinus* genus in India—the first of its kind in over a century. The last notable research in this field was conducted in 1923.
Published in the international peer-reviewed journal *European Journal of Taxonomy*, this research was conducted by Ms. Brishti Ray, Mr. Aishik Kar, and Dr. Joyita Sengupta. The research team was guided by ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee and Dr. Atanu Naskar, the Officer-in-Charge of the Diptera Section.
By analyzing specimens collected from various districts of West Bengal between 2022 and 2025, the researchers confirmed the identity of these two new species. This achievement was realized through an integrated approach combining morphological characterization and DNA barcoding.
The species *Eristalinus sapphirinus* was named for its brilliant bluish coloration. The name *Eristalinus brunettii* was chosen in honor of Enrico Adelalmo Brunetti, a pioneer in the study of Indian flies.
Hoverflies play a crucial role in the pollination of flowers. Their larvae assist in nutrient recycling by breaking down organic matter in aquatic environments. The study demonstrates that, even outside protected forest areas, significant undiscovered biodiversity still exists in regions adjacent to human settlements.
ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee stated that unknown organisms continue to exist even in densely populated areas like the Gangetic Plains. Many of nature's mysteries, she noted, still await discovery.
Dr. Atanu Naskar explained that accurate identification of hoverflies is often challenging, as many species appear nearly identical. By combining modern DNA analysis with traditional taxonomic methods, it was possible to confirm the distinct identities of these two new species. Lead researcher Ms. Brishti Roy stated that pollinating insects are one of the fundamental pillars of a healthy ecosystem. A century later, this discovery proves that a significant portion of our insect diversity remains undocumented.