Arpactophilus pulawskii : New Species Of aphid wasp
Researchers have identified a new species of aphid wasp, Arpactophilus pulawskii, in Nagaland’s Khuzama district.
- It is a new species of aphid wasp (target aphids as prey).
- It was discovered in Nagaland’s Khuzama district at an altitude of over 1,800 meters.
- Arpactophilus species are primarily native to the Australasian region.
- Members of this genus display remarkable morphological variation, including differences in body length and head shape, and some exhibit modifications in head size and shape.
- They are particularly fascinating because they are among the few social wasps that exhibit social behavior.
- They are known for their distinctive nesting behavior, with females using silk from their abdomen to create protective cells in old termite galleries or mud nests.
- This discovery marks the first recorded presence of the genus Arpactophilus outside Australasia.
- Arpactophilus pulawskii features a distinct square-shaped head with an inverted V-shaped uplifted clypeus and rust-colored body markings.
- Additionally, it has a uniquely textured thorax that further sets it apart.
