New Wasp Species Found in Chandigarh | 09 Jun 2025

Why in News? 

A new parasitic wasp species Losgna occidentalis was discovered in Chandigarh, marking the rediscovery of the Losgna genus in India after almost 60 years. 

Losgna occidentalis

Key Points 

  • About the Discovery: 
    • The wasp belongs to the parasitic Ichneumonidae family, known for laying eggs on or inside other arthropods. 
    • The genus Losgna had not been recorded in India since Heinrich’s 1965 monograph. 
      • No Indian institution held records, specimens, or literature on Losgna after 1965, suggesting it had vanished from its known range in northeast India. 
    • It was discovered on a windowsill in Chandigarh during winter 2023–24. 
    • The species was named Losgna occidentalis to reflect its location in western India. 
    • Earlier sightings were limited to tropical forests of eastern India and nearby Southeast Asia. 
  • Historical Specimens: 
    • The only known specimens of Losgna prior to this discovery were preserved in: 
      • Natural History Museum, London 
      • The Hope Collection, Oxford University 
      • Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM), Munich 
  • Scientific & Conservation Significance: 
    • Taxonomy Revival: Revives study of the forgotten Losgna genus and emphasizes the critical role of taxonomy in biodiversity conservation. 
    • Importance of Hymenoptera: Wasps in this group serve as pollinators and biological control agents, contributing to ecological balance. 
    • Urban Biodiversity Spotlight: The find highlights the rich biodiversity of urban habitats, even those considered degraded like dry scrub forests.

Hymenoptera

  • The Hymenoptera, insects commonly known as ants, bees, wasps and sawflies, comprise a significant proportion of arthropod diversity in most terrestrial habitats.  
  • They are one of the four mega-diverse orders of insects, along with the Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (flies), and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).