A team of entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in Bengaluru has made a significant discovery in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. The researchers unveiled a new species of parasitoid wasp named Taeniogonalos Deepaki, shedding light on the diverse insect life within the region.
Belonging to the family Trigonalyidae in the order Hymenoptera, the genus Taeniogonalos is known for its hyperparasitoid characteristics, infiltrating other parasitoids. These insects develop either on or within the bodies of other insects. While Taeniogonalos species are found globally, the recently discovered Taeniogonalos Deepaki exhibits unique features that distinguish it from other species in India.
The species is named in tribute to Deepak Deshpande, a medical doctor and passionate nature enthusiast who collected the specimen. The scientific paper, authored by ATREE scientists Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny, A P Ranjith, and Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, has been published in the esteemed international journal Zootaxa. The study also reports the first male description of another species, Taeniogonalos eurysoma, with the male specimen collected in Arunachal Pradesh, signifying a potential overlap of fauna between India and China.
The Arunachal Pradesh discovery is particularly noteworthy, expanding our knowledge of Taeniogonalos species beyond southern India. The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive taxonomic studies to reveal more species and establish connections between various regions.
