A recent exploration in Vietnam for the elusive Loboscelidia, a type of parasitoid wasp, has expanded the global count of known species by 30% and uncovered their unique egg-burying behavior. Scientists from Kyushu University and Vietnam's National Museum of Nature have identified 16 previously unk
, based on their unique physical characteristics. Scale bar=0.5 mm. Credit: Yu Hisasue et al. European Journal of Taxonomy, Kyushu University
Despite their ecological importance, very little is known about many groups of parasitoid wasps, includingPrior research into the group has suggested that they parasitize the eggs of stick insects, also known as walking sticks.was first discovered around 150 years ago, but we still lack important knowledge about their biology. This study was the first time we were able to observe their parasitic behavior,” says first author, Dr. Yu Hisasue, formerly a PhD student supervised by Mita.
This parasitic behavior is very developed and similar to the nest-building behavior seen in solitary-hunting wasps. The researchers therefore believe that further research could help shed light on how these behaviors evolved in other wasps. It could also help explain the unique specialized head structure ofBy the end of the field survey, the scientists had collected 70 individuals from thegroup, taking high-resolution close-up photos of each wasp.
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