State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 28 Jul 2025

Calcutta Club Elects First Woman President

Why in News? 

Calcutta Club, a prestigious social institution that opened its doors to individual women members only in 2007, has made history by electing its first female president.  

Key Points 

• About: Businesswoman Kasturi Raha triumphed in the club's election, defeating P.K. Mukherjee and Snehashish Bhaumik to claim the top position. 
  • Raha's election is a significant achievement as she becomes the first woman to lead the club, marking a pivotal moment in its century-long history.  
  • She had previously made history as the third woman to be granted independent membership at the Calcutta Club and was the first woman elected to its managing committee in 2013. 
• Calcutta Club: Established in 1907, the club followed the tradition of London clubs, excluding women from membership. 
  • Women could only access the facilities as dependents of male members. 
  • Special membership was granted to widows of male members, while NRI and corporate memberships were also restricted to men. 

Discovery of New Spider and Parasitic Wasp Species

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.