Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been discovered and named due to recent research. This finding nearly doubles the previously known species in this group of wasps.
Recent research conducted by a graduate student from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has led to the identification and naming of twenty-two new species of gall wasps.
The research includes new names and detailed descriptions for each species, along with a guide for identification. It has recently been published in the journal Zootaxa, significantly increasing the known species count in this wasp genus.
These tiny wasps, which inhabit small formations known as galls—structures they take from other wasps—have been named after notable thieves and tricksters from history, mythology, and pop culture, according to the researchers.
For instance, one species was named after Prometheus, a titan from Greek mythology who famously stole fire from the gods for humanity. The researchers noted that the wasp’s bright red coloration made it a fitting subject for this name.
Louis Nastasi, a doctoral student in entomology at Penn State and the lead author of the study, mentioned that correctly identifying these species opens up many possibilities for further research on gall wasps, a relatively unexplored area.
“By naming these species, we provide other researchers with a foundation they can build upon for future studies, enabling them to identify wasps that were previously unrecognized,” he explained. “This gives us a base and toolkit for future work, which could help us better understand these species and their ecosystems in a wider context.”
The research originated from a separate study by another team, which also contributed to the current research, focusing on the evolution of gall wasps. Even with DNA data from various wasps, researchers were struggling to identify the exact species involved. The collaborative team, with whom Nastasi had an established relationship, reconnected during the International Plant Gall Symposium, leading to a discussion on the unresolved issues.
“I had a conversation with Andrew Forbes, the lead from the University of Iowa team, who shared their identification challenges,” Nastasi said. “Since my expertise lies in species identification and description of these tiny wasps, he invited me to collaborate to resolve the issue.”
Once Nastasi received samples of the wasps, he realized their difficulty in classification was due to the fact that these species had never been formally discovered and named.
To tackle this, Nastasi integrated biological and molecular data from the previous study with his own morphological analysis examining the anatomy and physical traits of the insects.
Nastasi pointed out that it was crucial to utilize all three types of data, as relying solely on genetic or purely physical characteristics wouldn’t adequately distinguish between different species.
“We discovered that some insects previously thought to be one species were actually two distinct species, and using only genetic data failed to differentiate them,” he explained. “By combining molecular data with morphological analysis, we could clearly define what each species is.”
After accurately categorizing the wasps, Nastasi proceeded with assigning them names.
One species was named Ceroptres selinae, inspired by Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman from DC Comics. Another was dubbed Ceroptres bruti, in honor of Marcus Junius Brutus, the Roman politician who notoriously betrayed Julius Caesar. A third was called Ceroptres soloi, after Hans Solo, the infamous smuggler and thief from the Star Wars films, famously portrayed by Harrison Ford.
“We aimed to create names that resonate more personally than just attaching generic names to the species,” Nastasi remarked. “The process of choosing a fitting name is filled with creativity and thought, so it was thrilling to highlight that aspect in selecting names for these new species.”
This study marks only the beginning of comprehending this group of wasps, according to Nastasi, who noted that significant further research is necessary. While there are many other unidentified gall wasp species collected, many are still in storage awaiting identification.
Moreover, the biology of these wasps remains largely unknown, which means future research could delve into their life cycles, among other topics.
“While we know they inhabit these galls and the specific galls they occupy, there remains a vast amount we don’t understand,” Nastasi mentioned. “For example, how do they utilize the gall’s contents to nourish themselves? It’s fascinating to see how our new species will inform future species discovery research and expand knowledge about the wasps themselves.”
The research contributions came from Cecil Smith, Charles Davis, and Andrew Deans from the Frost Entomological Museum at Penn State; Anna Ward, Guerin Brown, and Andrew Forbes from the University of Iowa; Y. Miles Zhang from the University of Edinburgh; Chris Friesen from the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre; and Shannon Rollins and Carly Tribull from Farmingdale State College.
Support for this research was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Society for Systematic Biologists, the Erickson Discovery Grant at Penn State, the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, and the University of Iowa.
