Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India discovered a new parasitic wasp species, Oxyserphus narendrani, in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Assam, using a yellow pan trap set in November 2024. The 3.3 mm insect was identified from a preserved specimen under a microscope and placed in the rarely collected Proctotrupidae family. Distinctive features separating it from close relatives include a single horizontal groove on the thorax (contrasting with six to seven radiating grooves in the similar Australian O. sulcatus), a much shorter ovipositor sheath, and a uniquely shaped wing spot. The wasp’s appearance combines a black head, brownish-black body and striking yellow legs.
This finding marks the first confirmed record of the Oxyserphus genus from the Oriental region and adds to India’s sparse Proctotrupidae tally, previously comprising only eight species. The genus is typically known from high-altitude habitats and is considered part of poorly studied “dark taxa,” making this lowland discovery notable for biodiversity knowledge and collection biases. The species was named in honor of entomologist T. C. Narendran, and the discovery underscores the value of targeted surveys and simple trapping methods to reveal cryptic insect diversity across India’s varied habitats.
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