Dazzling New Blue Ant Species Unearthed in India

A team of entomologists has discovered a rare blue ant, named Paraparatrechina neela, in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The find, part of the Siang Valley biodiversity resurveys, highlights the unique fauna of the Eastern Himalayas and sparks interest in its ecological roles and evolutionary traits.

A stunning blue ant has been discovered in Yingku village in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India that is nothing like the common red, black, or brown ants. This new species belongs to the rare genus Paraparatrechina and has been named Paraparatrechina neela. The word “neela” signifies the color blue in most Indian languages — a fitting tribute to the ant’s unique coloration.