Five new wasp species discovered in Cyprus, including one named after Aphrodite

Scientists have discovered five new species of parasitoid wasps in Cyprus, more than doubling the number of chalcid wasps known to be exclusive to the island. These tiny insects, belonging to the family Pteromalidae, are natural pest controllers that are poorly studied in southeastern Europe and the Middle East. Prior to this research, knowledge of Cyprus' chalcid wasp fauna was severely limited, particularly in the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area and across the rest of the island.

The five newly identified wasps were named for various reasons. Two of them, Ablaxia makrisi and Erythromalus makrisi, were named after Christodoulos Makris, a renowned Cypriot entomologist who collected the holotypes of these species. Hemitrichus akrotiriensis pays homage to the Akrotiri peninsula, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot in Cyprus where the holotype was found.

Ablaxia toxeftrae is named after Toxeftra Beach on the Akamas peninsula, where its holotype was discovered. The most intriguing name is Janssoniella aphrodite, given to the final species in honor of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, as the holotype was collected in the Yeroskipou area of Paphos, a site where Aphrodite was revered in antiquity.

Before this study, only three chalcid wasp species were known to be unique to Cyprus. The researchers found many more specimens that may represent new species, suggesting the current numbers are an underestimation of the island's true biodiversity. This discovery significantly enriches our understanding of Cyprus' and the broader region's chalcid wasp diversity, highlighting the importance of continued research in this field.