Molecular Footprint of Newly Distributional Dendrocerus istvani Bijoy and Rajmohana (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae: Megaspilinae) from West Bengal, India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The superfamily Ceraphronoidea, comprising the families Ceraphronidae and Megaspilidae, includes 740 species, with the genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg, 1852, being of significant agricultural importance. This study reports the first record of Dendrocerus istvani Bijoy & Rajmohana (2014) from West Bengal, India, extending its distribution beyond Uttarakhand. Specimens were collected using yellow pan traps in Kashinathpur village, North 24 Parganas district, during 2024-2025. Morphological analysis, along with a molecular signature (COI gene), was generated for the species, marking a significant contribution to the DNA barcode reference library for Megaspilidae. This record highlights the need for further taxonomic surveys and molecular studies to explore the distribution and ecological roles of Ceraphronoidea species in India.
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414512171