The National Geographic Society has a rich history of exploration, conservation, and storytelling, which is why the name “natgeo” was chosen as a tribute to their legacy.
During the Siang Expedition,funded by the National Geographic Society and felis Creations,researchers dr. A.P. Ranjith and Associate Professor dr. Buntika A. Butcher from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand discovered a new species of parasitoid wasp in the remote village of Yingku in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This tiny creature had never been formally introduced to science before.
On their first day in Yingku, they were able to collect both male and female specimens of this enchanting new species named Heinrichiellus natgeo.
This discovery is meaningful not only for scientific purposes but also for its contribution to ecosystem balance as this small insect plays an important role as a natural enemy of several pest species.
The description of Heinrichiellus natgeo was conducted by Dr.Ranjith and Dr. Gavin R. Broad from the Natural History Museum in London under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Butcher with assistance from Dr.Bernardo F.Santos from Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin using genetic data to determine its systematic placement.
In honor of the National Geographic Society’s commitment to environmental conservation, this newly discovered species was named after them – Heinrichiellus natgeo.
Despite its small size and unassuming appearance with delicate wings and elongated antennae, this parasitoid wasp plays an essential role in maintaining biodiversity silently without any bright colors or loud buzzing like other insects do.
The researchers also uncovered two more new species – Heinrichiellus brevispinus from Thailand and Heinrichiellus vedani from South India – highlighting that there are still countless hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in these regions.
Their study, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, serves as a reminder that every new discovery is a small victory for biodiversity and an encouragement for more young talents to engage in biodiversity research.
The research team consists of Dr. A.P. Ranjith, an expert taxonomist with over ten years of experiance in hymenopteran parasitoids; Dr. Gavin R. broad, who has described several hundred new species and numerous genera; Dr.bernardo F.Santos with extensive knowledge on the evolution and phylogeny of parasitoid wasps; and Associate Professor dr.Buntika A.Butcher, who supervised the study.
Their focus is primarily on documenting biodiversity in understudied countries like India and Thailand while raising awareness about the ecological importance of insect diversity.
this discovery not only adds to our understanding of biodiversity but also highlights the need for continued efforts towards conservation in these regions.
Wow, what an incredible honor for the National Geographic Society! So cool to have a new species named after them.