Newly discovered wasp has a terrifying Stinger

Scientists have discovered a new species of wasp with a terrifying sting. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland recently discovered Clistopyga crassicaudata living between the Andes and the Amazonian forests. "I've been studying tropical parasitoid wasps for a long time, but I've never seen anything like it." says Ilari E. Sääksjärvi professor at the University of Turku. "The stinger looks like a fierce weapon."

The wasp sting is not only long, but also very wide, occupying almost the entire length of its body. Unlike bees, wasps can use their darts many times. Female wasps have stingers that can either inject venom or lay eggs. Parasitoid wasps such as Clistopyga crassicaudata usually have a long ovipositor for laying eggs which also serves as a sting. The Clistopyga has a particularly awful way of laying eggs: first, the wasp finds nests of spiders, then paralyzes the spider with venom. Then the wasp lays eggs on the spider. The hatching larva eats the spider as well as the spider eggs or newborns.

"The giant stinger of the present species is very likely a very sophisticated tool, but unfortunately we can only guess at its purpose," says Professor Sääksjärvi. As upsetting as this wasp may seem, wasps are generally beneficial to humans. Pests are prey to many species of wasps, as food or hosts of parasitic larvae. In fact, according to National Geographic, the agricultural industry commonly uses wasps to help protect crops.

(Turku University via CNN)