Discovery and host association of Brachymeria apicicornis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) parasitizing Cassida obtusata Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Amaranthus in the Thar Desert, India | ||
| Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 12 February 2026 PDF (3.7 M) | ||
| Document Type: Short Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.48311/jibs.12.02.233 | ||
| Authors | ||
| SUSHAMA V.1; BINOY C* 2; SONAL YADAV1; INDU SHARMA1 | ||
| 1Desert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur-342 005, Rajasthan, India | ||
| 2Zoological Survey of India Marine Aquarium and Regionaal Centre, Digha, West Bengal | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The Thar Desert of northwestern India harbours underdocumented parasitoid–host interactions and unique ecological interactions often overlooked due to its arid landscapes. Here, we report the first confirmed host association of Brachymeria apicicornis (Cameron, 1911) (Chalcididae: Brachymeriinae) as a pupal parasitoid of Cassida obtusata Boheman, 1854 (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) feeding on Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats (Amaranthaceae) in Rajasthan, India. Solitarily emerged adult parasitoids from five individually isolated pupae establish a pupal idiobiontic parasitoidism on the cassidine host. Species identity is corroborated through a diagnostic redescription. The present study also provides a structured evidence framework encompassing rearing isolation, emergence chronology, exit-hole morphology and position, and host pupal phenotype. Broader implications on ecological dynamics in arid landscapes are also discussed. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Brachymeriinae; Biocontrol; Host association; Parasitoid; Palmer amaranth | ||
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