Researchers have discovered five new wasp species in Cyprus that appear to occur exclusively on the island, in a two-year study of Cyprus’ biodiversity.
The discovery more than doubles the number of endemic chalcid wasp species known in Cyprus, from four to nine.
The five species belong to the Pteromalidae family, a large group of extremely small parasitoid wasps. Many play an important role in ecosystems by laying their eggs inside caterpillars, aphids and other insects, acting as a natural mechanism for controlling agricultural pests.
Two years of research
The research was carried out in 2024 and 2025 by entomologist Evangelos Koutsoukos of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and researcher Mircea-Dan Mitroiu of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania.
The project was funded through the UK’s Darwin Plus programme and implemented by the Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, under the guidance of entomologist Angeliki Martinou, with support from the University of Leeds.
Researchers collected samples from different parts of Cyprus, including agricultural areas, villages and protected natural sites, as well as the area around the British Base at Akrotiri.
The new wasp species are extremely small and difficult to see without a microscope, measuring between just 2 and 2.7 millimetres in length.
From Akamas to Akrotiri and Geroskipou
The names given to the five species are closely linked to Cyprus.
Ablaxia makrisi and Erythromalus makrisi were named in honour of Cypriot entomologist Christodoulos Makris, who collected the holotypes of both species and provided additional material to the researchers.
Ablaxia toxeftrae was named after Toxeftra Beach on the Akamas Peninsula, where its holotype was collected from coastal vegetation.
Hemitrichus akrotiriensis was found on a fig tree in Akrotiri village, within the British Bases area, giving the species its name. Researchers describe the area as one of Cyprus’ most important biodiversity hotspots.
The fifth species, Janssoniella aphrodite, is the smallest of the five, measuring around two millimetres. Its holotype was found in Geroskipou and the species was named after the goddess Aphrodite, reflecting the area’s historical and mythological association with her.
More discoveries may follow
Before the research, only four chalcid wasp species were known to be exclusive to Cyprus. The five new wasp species have now raised that number to nine.
Scientists believe, however, that this may be only the beginning. According to Evangelos Koutsoukos, numerous other interesting specimens were collected during the fieldwork, some of which could also represent species previously unknown to science.
The researchers plan to present dozens of additional findings from the Pteromalidae family in a separate scientific publication, potentially expanding the list of newly discovered species in Cyprus further.
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