New species of parasitic wasp discovered in Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
10 hours ago
- A new parasitic wasp species, Oxyserphus narendrani, was discovered in Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa National Park using a yellow pan trap in November 2024.
- The wasp measures 3.3 mm, with a black head, brownish-black body, and yellow legs, distinguished by a single horizontal groove on its thorax, a shorter ovipositor sheath, and a unique wing spot.
- This is the first official identification of this rare wasp group in the Oriental region, and it belongs to poorly studied 'dark taxa' typically found in high altitudes, making the lowland forest find significant.
- The species was named after the late Dr. T. C. Narendran for his contributions to parasitic wasp taxonomy, and this discovery raises the known Indian species from this family to nine, inspiring further surveys.