Question New Wasp Discovery Highlights the Importance of Citizen Science

Parasitic wasp collected by Queensland students identified as new species
By Grace Whiteside
Published 23rd of July, 2025
ABC NEWS

Summary:
High school students from Queensland have discovered a new species of wasp while participating in a nationwide citizen science program. The wasp was collected via a malaise trap, before being sent to the Canadian Centre for Biodiversity for identification. There, it was discovered to be a previously unknown species of parasitic wasp. The students responsible for its collection paid tribute to their school when choosing its name, Cotesia ginginensis. The story highlights the importance of citizen science for invertebrate discoveries.

From the Article:

'Karyn Goodman, head of science at Gin Gin State High School, said it had been an anxious but exciting wait for news.

"The kids and the staff are just so excited that we've gone through the long process, and finally we have an outcome, and we're forever going to be in the history books," she said.
Ms Goodman said the project had strengthened the students' understanding of science and respect for the land.

"I don't think you can get a much clearer link for them to real-world science," she said.

"Making that connection for them that what they do now, what they get involved in, what they contribute to, does have that ripple effect out there in the world."

"There are 220,000-plus species of insects in Australia, and like 30 to 33 per cent of them have been described, so they have a formal scientific name.

Read more here: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/new-species-parasitic-wasp-qld-gin-gin-high-school/105557796

The official taxonomic findings for the species have been published in the peer-reviewed Zootaxa journal.
mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.2.11

Figure 1: Cotesia ginginensis; holotype. A. lateral habitus B. fore wing C. dorsal head D. dorsal habitus E. anterior head F.
T1 G. metanotum and propodeum.