A recent scientific revelation has been made in Goa, marking the discovery of a new wasp species from the Kudakrumia genus. This newly identified wasp has been christened Kudakrumia rangnekari, honouring Parag Rangnekar, a researcher based in Goa. This species is native to India, specifically found in the regions of Goa and Kerala, and also resides in neighbouring Sri Lanka.
Previous research endeavours have discovered a tribe containing five wasp species, aptly named ‘adikeshavus’, a Sanskrit term translating to ‘the first one to have long hairs’.
The Ecological Significance of Wasps
Wasps are integral components of the ecosystem due to their role as pollinators. They are sole pollinating agents for nearly 100 species of orchids. In addition, the venom of Polybia paulista, a tropical social wasp, possesses a chemical that has demonstrated potential to selectively obliterate various types of cancerous cells.
Many social wasps are categorised as generalist predators; this means they regulate the population of a wide range of species. This ability makes them highly advantageous in reducing the necessity for toxic pesticides.
| Wasp Species | Ecological Role |
|---|---|
| Kudakrumia rangnekari | Pollinators, Predator |
| Polybia paulista | Medicinal Benefits |
| Adikeshavus | Uncertain |
Mount Agung Volcano Erupts in Indonesia
Indonesian island Bali witnessed the eruption of its active volcano, Mount Agung. This volcano, also called Gunung Agung, is the highest point on Bali and belongs to the Indonesian island arc. Mount Agung is a stratovolcano, constructed over a period of recurrent eruptions.
Understanding Stratovolcanoes
A stratovolcano, as exemplified by Mount Agung, is a tall, conical volcanic formation, made up of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. The steep profile and periodic explosive eruptions characterise these volcanoes; the lava they release is highly viscous, cooling and hardening before spreading too far.
Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire’, which is a hotbed for tectonic plate collisions and movements. Approximately 75% of the world’s volcanoes, numbering over 750, are situated along the Ring of Fire. Additionally, 90% of the Earth’s earthquakes occur along these plates.
Volcanoes in Java, Bali, and many other Indonesian islands were formed due to the interaction between the Australia and Sunda tectonic plates. At the Sunda-Java Trench, the Australia Plate subducts beneath the Sunda Plate and begins descending into the mantle. At around 100 miles deep, the Australia Plate starts to melt; this molten material then ascends towards the surface, eventually erupting to form the volcanoes that constitute the Indonesian volcanic arc.