Terrifying species of wasp with a stinger 'like a fierce weapon' is discovered

27 August 2023 , 07:17

1146     0

If you're not a fan of insects, look away now (Image: Moment RF)

If you’re not a fan of insects, you might want to look away now.

Researchers have discovered a terrifying new species of wasp, whose stinger they describe as being ‘like a fierce weapon.’ The team, from the University of Turku in Finland, found the species living in the Amazon rainforest.

Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi, who worked on the study, said: “The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp called Clistopyga crassicaudata is not only long but also very wide, in comparison with the size of the species. I have studied tropical parasitoid wasps for a long time but I have never seen anything like it. The stinger looks like a fierce weapon.”

All female wasps have a stinger, which is used to either inject venom or lay eggs. Professor Sääksjärvi explained: “The egg is placed either on or inside the host, and, as it also works as a stinger, the female wasp can inject venom into host in order to paralyse it.”

The new wasp species specialises in laying its eggs into spiders, or spider egg-sacs. The wasps seek out spiders living in nests and paralyse them with a quick venom injection. Then the female wasp lays its eggs on the spider and the hatching larva eats the paralysed spider as well as the possible spider eggs or hatchlings.

Insect blamed for mystery rise in life-changing illness that alters eye colour

Shivali Best