5 new Darwin Wasps Discovered: Guardian of Ecosystem Balance

ATREE has discovered five new species of parasitic wasps in India and Thailand, marking the first documentation of the Microleptinae subfamily in India. These wasps play a critical role in natural pest control and environmental friendly pest management.

Discovery of New Darwin Wasp Species

Research conducted by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
Five new wasp species discovered in India and Thailand
Research team led by Ranjith AP and Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan
First documentation of Microleptinae subfamily in India

Four new species from India:

- Microleptes chiani (Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu)
- Microleptes gowrishankari (Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Karnataka)
- Microleptes sandeshkaduri (Siang valley, Arunachal Pradesh)
- Microleptes tehriensis (Tehri, Uttarakhand)
Fifth species discovered in Thailand: Microleptes depressus
Expanded global knowledge of Ichneumonidae family

Ecological Significance and Characteristics

Parasitic wasps with unique biological mechanisms
Larvae develop inside or on other arthropods
Critical role in natural pest control

Key ecosystem services:

- Control populations of crop-damaging pests
- Manage insects like aphids and caterpillars
- Environmentally friendly pest management

Distinct physical characteristics:

- Six-legged body with head, thorax, and abdomen
- Large compound eyes and three simple eyes (ocelli)
- Longer antennae with multiple segments

Breeding strategy:

- Females lay eggs in or on host larvae/pupae
- Some species can drill through wood using ovipositors
Solitary wasps that only gather for mating

Taxonomic and Research Implications

Part of the Ichneumonidae family with 42 subfamilies
Microleptinae is the smallest subfamily
Previously only 14 global species documented
Naming conventions honor:
- Influential researchers
- Conservation experts
- Specific geographical locations
Specimens collected using Malaise traps and sweep nets
Findings published in Journal of Hymenoptera Research

Significance for biodiversity understanding:

- Reveals complex ecological interactions
- Highlights importance of taxonomic research
- Demonstrates India's rich biological diversity

Supplementary Insights:

Named after Charles Darwin due to their intriguing parasitic nature
Specimens deposited in National Zoological Collections
Indicates broader distribution across different geographical regions
Emphasizes need for comprehensive taxonomic studies

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