Lusius malfoyi is a parasitoid wasp found in New Zealand. The species is named for Lucius Malfoy, a character in the fictional Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling,[1][2] although the genus was described in 1903. The species is the first in its genus described in New Zealand; although the holotype specimen was captured in 1981, it was not described until 2017. The species is geographically widespread in New Zealand but rare.[3]
| Lusius malfoyi | |
|---|---|
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| Lateral view | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Ichneumonidae |
| Genus: | Lusius |
| Species: | L. malfoyi
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| Binomial name | |
| Lusius malfoyi Saunders & Ward 2017
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Description
editThe species is light brown or orange, with brown antennae. Female body length varies from 4.7 mm to 7.8 mm. Its coloration pattern, as well as its geographic range, distinguish it from other species in the genus. Its host is unknown but is likely to be one or several species of moth.[3]
Range
editThe species is known from both North and South Islands of New Zealand. It is not yet known from offshore islands or other locations, but this is likely due to a lack of sampling. Specimens were collected by malaise trap in spring to late summer (September through to March) in a wide range of habitats, in or near Nothofagus forests and other native forests and brush, from close to sea level up to 850 m.[3] However very few specimens were collected from any one area, so the species appears to be naturally uncommon. It is the only member of the genus Lusius so far described from Australasia, though this may represent a lack of sampling.[2]
Etymology
editThe species was described by Thomas E. Saunders, then a Masters student at the University of Auckland supervised by Darren Ward from Landcare Research in Auckland, New Zealand. They chose the name in order to "redeem the reputation of wasps" in a manner similar to the redemption of Lucius Malfoy's character in the Harry Potter series.[2][4][5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Pearlman, Jonathan (10 October 2017). "New Zealand wasp named after Harry Potter character Lucius Malfoy". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Roy, Elanor Ainge (10 October 2017). "Lusius malfoyi wasp: New Zealand insect named after Harry Potter villain". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Saunders, Thomas E.; Ward, Darren F. (2017). "A new species of Lusius (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from New Zealand". New Zealand Entomologist. 40 (2): 72–78. doi:10.1080/00779962.2017.1357427. hdl:2292/41733. S2CID 90611651.
- ^ Ganguly, Manisha (10 October 2017). "Scientist names wasp after Harry Potter villain". CNN. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Why this wasp has been named after Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter". BBC Newsbeat. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2018.