Introduction to ‘Discovery of New Species of Parasitoid Wasp’

Welcome to PreCrack! In India, Recently, Zoological Survey of India, has discovered a new species of Parasitoid Wasp & named it ‘Indopria’.

Why Indopria Wasp in the News? – Indopria UPSC

Indopria wasp is making headlines because scientists from the Zoological Survey of India found it after almost 20 years in Kolkata. The researchers, including P.V. Theertha and K. Rajmohana, discovered this new kind of wasp, named Indopria angulata, which is unique for its special wings adapted for water habitats.

The name ‘Indopria’ combines ‘Indo’ for India and ‘pria’ meaning ‘little wasp’ in Latin. Indopria plays a vital role in keeping nature in balance, especially in watery places. The team’s hard work, supported by the University Grants Commission, led to this discovery, and it got published in the Biologia journal.

Source – The Hindu

Official Journal –  Springer.com

Details about New Wasp Discovery in India

We have added all the details about this new discovery below-

What is Indopria Wasp?

The Indopria wasp is a newly discovered genus and species of parasitoid wasp. It was identified and named by researchers at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata. The scientific name for this wasp is Indopria angulata.

This particular wasp species has distinctive wing characteristics, suggesting an adaptation to aquatic environments. Indopria wasps, like other diapriid wasps, play a crucial role in ecological balance by laying eggs in the larvae or pupae of various fly species, leading to their demise.

Naming of Indopria wasp

The name “Indopria” is derived from “Indo,” representing India, and “pria,” which means “little wasp” in Latin.

Physical Characteristics of the Indopria Wasp

We can consider to know these physical characteristics as per published in journal

1. Genus and Species: Indopria angulata
2. Size: Specific size details are not provided in the journal.
3. Wings: The wasp exhibits distinctive wing characteristics, including a semi-abrupt 3-segmented clava, paddle-shaped forewings with angular frenal gutters, and elongated marginal fringes.
4. Abdomen: No specific details about the abdomen are mentioned in the journal.
5. Coloration: Information regarding the coloration of the Indopria angulata is not provided.
6. Tribe Classification: Belongs to the tribe Diapriini within the subfamily Diapriinae.
7. Specialized Wing Morphology: The unique wing morphology is interpreted as an adaptation to aquatic habitats.
8. Ecological Role: Functions as a parasitoid wasp, laying eggs in the larvae or pupae of different fly species.
9. Significance: The discovery of this new genus and species adds to the diversity of diapriid wasps and contributes to understanding their ecological roles.
10. Publication: The findings have been published in the scientific journal Biologia.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy of Indopria angulata (Indopria Wasp) can be understood as below-

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hymenoptera
• Family: Diapriidae
• Subfamily: Diapriinae
• Tribe: Diapriini
• Genus: Indopria
• Species: angulata

Key Features

• Parasitoid Wasp: Belongs to the family Diapriidae, known for parasitoid behavior.
• Genus and Species: Named Indopria angulata by researchers at the Zoological Survey of India.
• Wing Morphology: Exhibits distinctive wing characteristics, including a semi-abrupt 3-segmented clava and paddle-shaped forewings.
• Ecological Role: Functions as a parasitoid, laying eggs in the larvae or pupae of various fly species.
• Tribe Classification: Classified within the tribe Diapriini, emphasizing its taxonomic placement within the Hymenoptera order.

Significance of this discovery

This discovery is significance from many perspectives-

1. New Genus and Species: Indopria angulata represents a newly discovered genus and species within the Diapriidae family.
2. Taxonomic Understanding: Enhances our understanding of diapriid wasp taxonomy, particularly within the tribe Diapriini.
3. Ecological Role: Plays a crucial ecological role as a parasitoid wasp, contributing to natural pest control by laying eggs in other insects’ larvae or pupae.
4. Wing Adaptation: Exhibits a specialized wing morphology, suggesting an adaptation to aquatic habitats.
5. Distribution Insights: Initial research suggests a distribution in Odisha, West Bengal, and the Andaman Islands, indicating potential significance in diverse ecosystems.
6. Scientific Collaboration: Resulted from collaborative efforts among researchers, highlighting the importance of teamwork in scientific discoveries.
7. Publication in Biologia: The research findings are published in the scientific journal Biologia, contributing valuable information to the scientific community.
8. University Grants Commission Support: The research received support from the University Grants Commission’s Junior Research Fellowship, emphasizing institutional recognition and backing.

Total Species of Wasp in India

There are an estimated 288 species of wasps belonging to the family Vespidae known to occur within India’s borders. This information comes from a 2020 study published in the journal Zootaxa titled “An annotated distributional checklist of Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) of India” by Gawas et al.

Classifications of Wasp in India

The Wasps in India as classified differently. We have added a few of key classifications below-

1. Vespidae

• Characteristics: Social wasps that build paper nests, often with distinctive black and yellow markings.
• Examples: Paper wasps, yellowjackets.

2. Apidae

• Characteristics: Social and solitary species, important pollinators, with some producing honey.
• Examples: Honeybees, bumblebees.

3. Ichneumonidae

• Characteristics: Parasitic wasps that lay eggs on or inside other insects, particularly caterpillars.
• Role: Significant in biological pest control.

4. Pompilidae

• Characteristics: Predatory wasps that hunt and paralyze spiders to feed their larvae.
• Behavior: Often seen dragging paralyzed spiders to their nests.

5. Scoliidae

• Characteristics: Large, colorful wasps with robust bodies, often found around flowers.
• Habitat: Gardens, meadows, and areas with abundant flowering plants.

6. Chalcididae

• Characteristics: Tiny wasps, many of which are parasitic on insect eggs or larvae.
• Role: Important in controlling populations of agricultural pests.

7. Eumenidae

• Characteristics: Potter wasps that construct mud nests, usually solitary in nature.
• Nesting: Mud nests are often shaped like small pots.

8. Bethylidae

• Characteristics: Small wasps associated with wood-boring beetles.
• Behavior: Females lay eggs on or in beetle larvae.

9. Trichogrammatidae

• Characteristics: Extremely small parasitic wasps, important in biological control.
• Role: Lay eggs inside the eggs of other insects, controlling pest populations.

10. Diapriidae

• Characteristics: Parasitoid wasps that lay eggs in other insects, often in larvae or pupae.
• Ecological Role: Contribute to ecological balance by controlling insect populations.

Key Facts about New Indopria Wasp Discovery

We have added all the details about this discovery below-

FAQs – UPSC Questions on Discovery of ‘Indopria Wasp’

Question-1: What is Indopria Angulata wasp?

Answer. Indopria Angulata is a newly discovered species of parasitoid wasp found in India, identified by researchers at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata.

Question-2: Why is it called “Indopria”?

Answer. The name “Indopria” is derived from “Indo,” representing India, and “pria,” meaning ‘little wasp’ in Latin. This nomenclature reflects its origin and nature.

Question-3: Where was Indopria discovered?

Answer. The discovery of Indopria took place under the research efforts of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata, signifying its presence in the country.

Question-4: What makes Indopria unique?

Answer. Indopria stands out due to its distinctive morphological features, including a semi-abrupt 3-segmented clava and paddle-shaped forewings with angular frenal gutters, setting it apart from related genera.

Question-5: When was Indopria discovered?

Answer. The notable discovery occurred during India’s 75th Independence Day celebrations, adding significance to its identification.

Question-6: What role do Diapriid wasps play in ecosystems?

Answer. Diapriid wasps, including Indopria, play a crucial ecological role by maintaining balance. They lay eggs in the larva or pupa of different flies, contributing to ecological stability.

Question-7: Where is Indopria potentially distributed?

Answer. Molecular studies suggest the potential distribution of Indopria Angulata in aquatic environments across East India and the Andaman Islands, highlighting its ecological significance.

Question-8: Who led the collaborative effort for this discovery?

Answer. The collaborative effort leading to the discovery of Indopria was spearheaded by Ms. Theertha and senior scientist K. Rajmohana, receiving support from researchers at ZSI, Pune, Kolkata, and Pune.

Question-9: Where was the discovery published?

Answer. The findings of the discovery, including the details of Indopria Angulata, were officially published in the scientific journal Biologia.

Question-10: What was the research supported by?

Answer. The research on Indopria Angulata received support from the University Grants Commission’s Junior Research Fellowship, facilitating the comprehensive study and documentation of this newly identified parasitoid wasp species.