Discovery and host association of Brachymeria apicicornis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) parasitizing Cassida obtusata Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Amaranthus in the Thar Desert, India

The Thar Desert of northwestern India harbours underdocumented parasitoid–host interactions and unique ecological interactions often overlooked due to its arid landscapes. Here, we report the first confirmed host association of Brachymeria apicicornis (Cameron, 1911) (Chalcididae: Brachymeriinae) as a pupal parasitoid of Cassida obtusata Boheman, 1854 (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) feeding on Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats (Amaranthaceae) in Rajasthan, India. Solitarily emerged adult parasitoids from f