For the first time, wasps in the genus Spasskia (family: Braconidae) have been found in China, according to an article in the open-access Journal of Insect Science. In addition, a species in that genus which is totally new to science was also discovered.
The new species, Spasskia brevicarinata , is very small — male and female adults are less than one centimeter long. It is similar to a previously described species called Spasskia indica , but the ridges on some of its body segments are different. In fact, the species epithet brevicarinata reflects a short ridge on its first tergite, as "brevi" is Latin for short and "carinata" is Latin for ridge.
High-quality photos of both species can be viewed at http://www.insectscience.org/14.119 .
The Journal of Insect Science is an international, open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing papers in all aspects of the biology of insects and other arthropods from the molecular to the ecological, and their agricultural and medical impact.
It is published by the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has nearly 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, and hobbyists. For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org .
Journal of Insect Science