New parasitic wasp genus named after David Attenborough for his 100th birthday
Consensus Summary
Scientists at the Natural History Museum in London named a new genus of parasitic wasp, *Attenboroughnculus tau*, after Sir David Attenborough to celebrate his 100th birthday on 8 May 2026. The tiny 3.5mm wasp, collected in Chile in 1983, was discovered during a review of museum collections by volunteer Augustijn De Ketelaere and led by Dr. Gavin Broad. The species is unique enough to warrant its own genus, with the name *tau* referencing its T-shaped abdominal markings. Attenborough, who has had over 50 species named after him, including five other wasps, received a handwritten thank-you note from the researchers. The discovery highlights the vast number of unidentified species in museum collections, with experts encouraging further exploration to uncover more undiscovered life forms. The waspâs host and behavior remain unknown, though relatives in Australia are known to attack spider egg sacs.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A new genus of parasitic wasp, *Attenboroughnculus tau*, was named after Sir David Attenborough for his 100th birthday on 8 May 2026.
- The wasp was discovered in the Natural History Museumâs collections, originally collected in 1983 in Valdivia province, Chile.
- The species name *tau* refers to a T-shaped marking on the waspâs abdomen, and the genus name honors Sir David Attenborough.
- The wasp is 3.5mm long and belongs to the ichneumon wasp family, which are parasitic and lay eggs inside other animals.
- Dr. Gavin Broad, principal curator for insects at the Natural History Museum, led the study describing the new genus.
- The new species was identified by volunteer Augustijn De Ketelaere during an examination of the museumâs ichneumonid collections.
- The study was published in the *Journal of Natural History*.
- Sir David Attenborough has had over 50 species named after him, including five other wasps.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The new genus is so distinct that it cannot logically fit into any established genus, requiring a new taxonomic subfamily.
- Dr. Broad mentioned that Attenborough may not be as excited about the wasp as he was about the echidna named after him (*Zaglossus attenboroughi*) in 1998.
- The echidna was rediscovered in 2023 after being critically endangered and unseen since 1961.
- Jennifer Pullar, science communications manager, emphasized the importance of re-examining museum collections for undiscovered species.
- The waspâs abdomen has two distinctive T-shaped markings on top of each other, not just one.
- Dr. Broad received a handwritten thank-you note from Attenborough, which he described as having neater handwriting than his own at half Attenboroughâs age.
- Adelaide University entomologist Jess Marsh noted that most invertebrates in Australia are new to science and can be found in local parks or backyards.
- Marsh cited *Life in the Undergrowth* as a key documentary that influenced her career in invertebrate conservation.
- The ABC article mentions that Sir David has visited Chile multiple times for his documentaries.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the wasp has a 'striking T-shaped marking' on its abdomen, while ABC specifies 'two distinctive T-shaped markings on top of each other.'
Source Articles
Tiny parasitic wasp named after David Attenborough for his 100th birthday
Specimen from 1983 lay forgotten at Natural History Museum until recently, when spotted by a volunteer and identified as new genus He has lizards, bats, frogs, weevils, flatworms, snails and spiders named after him . But now Sir David Attenborough can celebrate his 100th birthday with an entirely new genus named in his honour. Scientists from the Natural History Museum in London have paid tribute to the world-renowned broadcaster for his 100th birthday on 8 May by describing a new genus of paras
Wasp that eats host alive named after Attenborough for his 100th birthday
Taxonomists from London's Natural History Museum who named the Chilean species were inspired by the lifework of the famous broadcaster and naturalist.