ZSI Scientists Discover 4 New Tiny Wasp Species in West Bengal

In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified four new species of minuscule parasitic wasps in West Bengal. These minuscule creatures belong to the genus Idris Förster and are noteworthy for their unique reproductive habits, specifically laying eggs within spider egg sacs. This behavior is pivotal in regulating spider populations, thereby maintaining ecological balance.

The newly discovered species—Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus—were located throughout various farming sectors of West Bengal between 2021 and 2023. The discovery was spearheaded by a team of ZSI Kolkata scientists led by K Rajmohana.

According to Rajmohana, “Uncovering each new species adds a crucial component to understanding life’s diversity. Investigating these overlooked ecosystem participants can provide us with invaluable insights into the processes of ecology, alongside evolutionary and biodiversity dynamics.”

An intriguing behavioral pattern observed in these wasps is their “gregarious parasitism.” This means that instead of a solitary wasp developing inside each spider egg sac, a multitude of wasp larvae can grow in unison.

The research team also comprised Sushama V., an Inspire Fellow with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Rupam Debnath from the University of Calcutta, and K P Dinesh from ZSI Pune. Achieving species identification required a meticulous blend of detailed morphological evaluation paired with state-of-the-art DNA barcoding. This groundbreaking research was recently published in the European Journal of Taxonomy.

Dinesh explained the significance of this research: “Employing an integrated taxonomic approach that merges classical morphological studies with cutting-edge molecular analysis is indispensable for precise species delimitation.”

Despite their minuscule size, these parasitoids are recognized as formidable natural regulators. Sushama V, the lead author of this study, emphasized, “Parasitoid wasps such as Idris play a critical role in controlling spider populations, thereby sustaining ecological equilibrium.” This research also significantly contributes crucial DNA data to international scientific databases, amplifying global scientific knowledge about insect diversity and showcasing the astonishing variety found within parasitoid wasps.