New ‘Farmer-Friendly’ Wasp Chelonus mahadevi Discovered in Assam

Exam-focused facts from the 15 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Scientists have discovered a new species of tiny wasp named Chelonus mahadevi in Assam.
The wasp is an egg-larval parasitoid that lays its eggs inside the eggs of harmful crop-eating insects, killing the pest from within.
It acts as a natural bio-pesticide, helping tea farmers control pests without using chemical pesticides.
The discovery supports sustainable agriculture and aligns with SDG 2 (Sustainable Agriculture) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Chelonus mahadevi is currently listed under the Not Evaluated (NE) category of the IUCN Red List.