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Scientists have discovered a nightmarish wasp species in the Amazon rainforest.
The new species is equipped with a huge goad that "looks like a ferocious weapon" – and it uses it to deliver a potent venom that paralyzes its victims, before laying in the body.
The researchers say that it can be found throughout the transition zone between the Andes and the lowland rainforest.
The new species is equipped with a huge sting that" looks like a ferocious weapon "- and he it's used to deliver a potent venom. It paralyzes its victims, before laying in the body
In an article published in the journal Zootaxa, the international team of researchers describes several species of wasps until then unknown.
But a species called Clistopyga crassicaudata stands out in particular.
"The sting of the new parasitoid wasp known as Clistopyga crassicaudata is not only long but also very wide compared to the size of the species," says Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, professor of biodiversity research, Turku University. "I've been studying tropical parasitoid wasps for a long time but I've never seen anything like it. The stinger looks like a fierce weapon.
The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside spiders or spider egg sacs. It uses the huge sting to inject a potent venom.
Then she lays her eggs in or on the paralyzed victim
The hatching larva eats the spider and any eggs or newborns available.
Wasps, like bees and hornets, have a sting to inject venom or lay eggs, "says Professor Sääksjärvi
The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside spiders or spider eggs. It uses the huge sting to inject a powerful venom that causes paralysis
"Parasitoid wasps usually have a long ovipositor to lay eggs, which is convenient for reaching host animals living indoors of a tree, for example. ovipositor, the egg is placed on or inside the host, and, as it also works as a sting, the female wasp can inject venom into the host in order to paralyze.
a mystery.
But the team plans to launch new field studies to find others in the western Amazon rainforest.
"We do not know for sure which spider prefers this wasp species," Professor Sääksjärvi. The insect we are studying at that time could use its sting like a complicated felting needle and close the nest of spider web that traps the paralyzed inhabitant inside.
WHAT IS A PARASITOID? They often use a sharp tool known as the ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin or the exoskeleton of unsuspecting hosts.
After a short gestation period, the larvae hatch. begin to consume their host, normally reaching the adult age when the host is dead.
Parasitoids are mainly bees, wasps and ants, although some fly species also use this macabre technique.
Sci-fi authors and screenwriters create parasitoid aliens that kill human hosts, including the infamous Xenomorph in Ridley Scott's Alien movie in 1979.
Parasitoids are insects whose larvae parasitize their host – usually another insect – from the inside. In the photo, a parasitic wasp injects larvae into spiders and then sews the host into its nest to pin it
"The giant sting of the present species is most likely also a very useful tool. sophisticated, unfortunately one can only guess it. "goal, says the researcher.
While the horrible description of the new species might make you feel bad, the experts say that it plays an important role in its ecosystem, even if it's just to interest people
"Beautiful and exciting species with strange habits attract people's attention and emphasize the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems"
