What is Arpactophilus pulawskii?

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About Arpactophilus pulawskii:

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 abdomento 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.

Q1: What is a Wasp?

A wasp is any member of a group of insects in the order Hymenoptera, suborder Apocrita, some of which are stinging. Wasps are distinguished from the ants and bees of Apocrita by various behavioral and physical characteristics, particularly their possession of a slender, smooth body and legs with relatively few hairs. Wasps also generally are predatory or parasitic and have stingers with few barbs that can be removed easily from their victims.

News: New Wasp species found in Nagaland; first record outside Australasia