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April 3, 2026Austral Entomology2 citationsOpen Access

The first known troglomorphic, eyeless spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. from the Nullarbor Caves, Western Australia

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JRJuanita RodríguezAAAndrew D. AustinJMJessica Marsh

Key Points

  • The aim is to describe a newly discovered eyeless wasp species found in Nullarbor Caves.
  • Conducted surveys of caves in the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia.
  • Collected and examined a variety of mummified arthropods.
  • Identified and described a new genus and species of wasp.
  • Discovered a unique eyeless pompilid wasp, Troglopompilus miracaecatus.
  • Noted significant troglomorphic traits in the wasp and associated arthropods.
  • Discussed the morphological and biological implications of the findings.

Abstract

Abstract Surveys of caves of the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia, revealed a remarkable assemblage of exceptionally well‐preserved mummified arthropods, comprising Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera and Chilopoda, all of which exhibit high levels of troglomorphism, lacking eyes and showing a number of other adaptations. Of note, this arthropod assemblage also included a pompilid wasp which is eyeless and brachypterous and unlike any member of the family known globally. Here, we describe this amazing wasp as Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. , and discuss its remarkable morphology and possible affinities and biology.

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Cite This Study

Rodríguez et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69cf5e015a333a821460c08chttps://doi.org/10.1111/aen.70061
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