On May 8, in honor of naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough’s centenary, a new species of Chilean parasitic wasp has been named after him. Dubbed Attenboroughnculus tau, this wasp is among over 50 different species of flora and fauna from across the globe that bear the name of the celebrated television personality.
The identification of the wasp took place at London’s Natural History Museum, which houses approximately 27 million invertebrate specimens, many of which still await classification. Taxonomists at the museum believed that naming this newly discovered species after Sir David was an apt tribute to his legacy.
Attenboroughnculus tau is a small, brownish wasp measuring just 3.5 millimeters in length. Its description has been published in the Journal of Natural History. The species name “tau” derives from the Greek letter representing the letter “t,” referring to two distinctive t-shaped markings on the insect’s abdomen.
Sir David Attenborough now has over 50 species named in his honor, including five other types of wasps. Gavin Broad, a senior author of the study and the museum’s principal curator for wasps, bees, and ants, expressed his admiration for Sir David, stating that his documentaries had a profound impact on his decision to pursue a career in taxonomy. “It was Attenborough who opened my eyes to the bigger world,” Dr. Broad remarked, reflecting on how the documentaries influenced him during his childhood in the city.
Sir David was informed about the naming of the wasp and graciously sent handwritten notes of appreciation to the researchers involved. Dr. Broad noted how meaningful it was to receive a message written in such neat handwriting, especially considering their age difference.
Parasitic wasps, such as the Attenboroughnculus tau, belong to the ichneumonid family, often referred to as Darwin’s wasps. Dr. Broad explained that these insects are primarily parasitoids, meaning they typically lay their eggs inside or on a host organism, which then serves as a food source for the hatching larvae. While the specific host for this newly identified wasp remains unknown, some related species are known to lay their eggs in spider egg sacs, suggesting that Attenboroughnculus tau may have a similar lifecycle. Further research in Chile may be necessary to uncover its feeding habits.
Discovered in 1983 in the Valdivia region of Chile, a country Sir David has explored for his documentaries, this wasp is currently represented by only a single specimen in the museum. Jess Marsh, an entomologist from Adelaide University not involved in the study, noted that this species belongs to a wider group of parasitic wasps found in regions like Australia, Papua New Guinea, and South America. She pointed out that although only four species in this group have been documented, there are likely many more yet to be classified, underscoring the vast knowledge gaps regarding invertebrate diversity.
The Natural History Museum has a significant backlog of animal specimens awaiting formal identification. The uniqueness of the Attenboroughnculus tau wasp, being the sole specimen of its genus, might have gone unnoticed if not for the keen observation of a volunteer, Augustijn De Ketelaere, who was assisting Dr. Broad with the collection. Dr. Broad emphasized the importance of volunteers in addressing these identification backlogs, revealing that nearly half of the insects in his collection remain unnamed, with thousands of new species likely to be discovered, particularly in biodiversity-rich areas like Chile and Argentina.
Despite the many species still unrecognized, Dr. Broad remains optimistic about the potential of aspiring amateur entomologists to contribute to the field. Dr. Marsh highlighted the accessibility of invertebrates, noting that many new species can be found in familiar local environments rather than remote locations. She encouraged exploration, suggesting that individuals take photos of their findings and share them on platforms like iNaturalist.
At the remarkable age of 100, Sir David continues to inspire new generations. Dr. Marsh reminisced about her childhood, stating that his documentaries were pivotal in sparking her interest in wildlife conservation. “His films remain incredibly relevant today,” she added, emphasizing their enduring impact.
To commemorate Sir David Attenborough’s centenary, viewers are invited to watch a selection of his influential and groundbreaking documentaries.
