Pristaulacus chiangmaiensis is described as a new species from a female holotype in Huai Nam Dang National Park, Chiang Mai, and a female paratype from Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan. Diagnostic evidence combines black-orange coloration, head and occipital-groove shape, a long petiole and an ovipositor 1.3 times forewing length. The paratype barcode differed 12.95% from the nearest BOLD Aulacidae sequence, with a reported 14.3% distance from P. vilhelmseni, complementing morphology.
Key findings
- The new species is based on protected-area specimens from two northern provinces. • Diagnosis combines morphology and DNA barcode evidence. • The host remains unknown.
Why this matters globally
Adding a barcode-supported species improves Asian parasitoid biodiversity references and future identification.
Thai researcher contribution
Chulalongkorn University and Thai collectors connect museum material, protected areas and BOLD barcode data.
Limitations to consider
Only two females are known, with no male or host, and the molecular evidence relies on a single barcode locus.