New Blue Ant Species Discovered in India's Eastern Himalayas

Paraparatrechina neela, a metallic blue ant, adds to the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh's Siang Valley.

The species, named Paraparatrechina neela, is the first of its genus found in India in over 120 years.
Discovered in a tree hole at 800 meters altitude, the ant has a unique iridescent blue exoskeleton.
Researchers from ATREE and the University of Florida documented the species during the Siang Expedition.
The ant's striking blue color, rare in ants, raises questions about its ecological role and evolutionary history.
The discovery highlights the rich, yet underexplored biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas.