Discovery of New Spider and Parasitic Wasp Species

• 28 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

In a remarkable development, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have announced the discovery of a new species of wolf spider and four new species of spider-egg parasitic wasps in the state of West Bengal, India.  

Key Points 

• About: The findings highlight the region's rich yet largely unexplored biodiversity and have been documented in recent publications in esteemed international journals. 
  • The discovery of both the Piratula acuminata spider and the Idris wasps underscores the importance of systematic taxonomy and molecular tools in unveiling India’s hidden biodiversity.  
• New species of wolf spider- Piratula acuminata:  
  • One of the standout discoveries is the identification of Piratula acuminata, a new species of wolf spider. This marks the first record of the genus Piratula in India.  
  • The spider was found on Sagar Island, which is part of the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans delta—a region that is home to diverse wildlife and complex ecosystems.  
  • The newly discovered spider belongs to the Lycosidae family, commonly known as wolf spiders.  
  • Unlike other spiders that weave webs, wolf spiders are known for their agile and nocturnal hunting skills. They are ambush predators, capturing prey with incredible precision and speed. 
  • This medium-sized spider, measuring approximately 8 to 10 millimeters, is easily distinguished by its creamy-white body adorned with brown and chalk-white spots.  
  • Its unique genital structures further set it apart as an undocumented species, signaling its novelty to the scientific community. 
• Four New Species of Parasitoid Wasps- Idris: 
  • In a separate study, another group of ZSI researchers, led by K. Rajmohana, described four new species of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus Idris (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae).  
  • These wasps, identified as Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus, were collected from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats across West Bengal between 2021 and 2023. 
  • Parasitoid wasps, especially those in the Idris genus, play an essential role in controlling spider populations.  
  • As primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (Salticidae), these wasps exhibit gregarious parasitism, where multiple wasps emerge from a single spider egg sac. This unusual behaviour highlights the fascinating and complex relationships within ecosystems. 

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) 

• ZSI is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and was established in 1916 as a national center for the faunistic survey and exploration of the resources, leading to the advancement of knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country. 
• It has its headquarters at Kolkata and 16 regional stations located in different geographic locations of the country.