Entomologists have described a new iridescent species of the parasitoid wasp genus Dolichomitus from the Ecuadorian Andes.
Dolichomitus meii, holotype, female; habitus in lateral view. Scale bar – 5 mm. Image credit: Di Giovanni et al., doi: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e67438.
Dolichomitus is a widespread genus of Darwin wasps characterized by their large bodies, long ovipositors and vivid colors.
It includes more than 75 species worldwide, 20 of which occur in the Neotropics.
The new species of Dolichomitus, named Dolichomitus meii, was discovered at the biological station of Yanayacu located in the north-eastern slopes of the tropical Ecuadorian Andes.
“Dolichomitus meii show what magnificent surprises the Earth’s rainforests can contain,” said Dr. Diego Pádua, a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia.
“The species is particularly interesting for its large size and unique coloring.”
“With a quick glance, its body looks black but glitters electric blue in light.”
“Moreover, its wings are golden yellow. Therefore, you could say it’s like a flying jewel.”
Dolichomitus wasps are parasitic on insect larvae living deep in tree trunks.
They lay a single egg on the insect larva and the wasp hatchling eats the host larva as it develops.
“The ovipositor of Dolichomitus meii is immensely long,” said Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi, a researcher in the Biodiversity Unit at the University of Turku.
“It sticks the ovipositor into holes in the wood and tries to find host larvae inside.”
“The species’ striking coloring protects it from birds that prey on insects.”
“They do not snatch the wasp sitting on the tree trunk as they think it will taste bad or that it is dangerous.”
The discovery is reported in a paper in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
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F. Di Giovanni et al. 2021. A striking new species of Dolichomitus Smith, 1877 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae) from South America. Biodiversity Data Journal 9: e67438; doi: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e67438
