NEW YORK (AP) — A fascinating discovery has emerged from ancient amber. Scientists have found a wasp that lived alongside dinosaurs, and it has a unique look. Its body resembles a Venus flytrap, a plant known for capturing insects. This discovery was made in 99-million-year-old amber from Myanmar.
The wasp’s abdomen has flaps lined with bristles, creating something akin to a bear trap. Lars Vilhelmsen from the Natural History Museum of Denmark, who co-authored the study, described its appearance as strikingly peculiar. The researchers believe these flaps served a purpose. Instead of crushing, they likely held onto their prey tightly, allowing the wasp to lay an egg inside it. The egg would eventually hatch, and the larva would feed on the host insect.
This method of using host insects is not new. Many parasitic wasps today, such as cuckoo wasps, employ similar strategies. However, the unique design of this ancient wasp sets it apart.
“I’ve seen a lot of strange insects, but this one really stands out,” said Lynn Kimsey, an entomologist from the University of California, Davis. Though she wasn’t part of the research team, she recognized the wasp’s extraordinary features.
Researchers named this new species Sirenobethylus charybdis, inspired by a monster from Greek mythology known for creating chaos by swallowing and expelling water. The study is published in BMC Biology and involved specialists from Capital Normal University and the Beijing Xiachong Amber Museum.
The exact time when this wasp became extinct remains a mystery. However, the study of such insects helps experts explore the capabilities and evolutionary history of insects. Gabriel Melo, a wasp expert from Brazil, emphasizes the long history of strange and remarkable creatures. "We often think that the most interesting organisms exist today, but discoveries like this remind us of the extraordinary past," he noted.
User Reactions
On social media, users shared their awe as images of the wasp surfaced. Many remarked on its unusual features, leading to discussions about other ancient creatures and their adaptations. The wasp’s discovery has sparked renewed interest in paleontology and entomology, highlighting how much we can learn from the past.
For more insights on ancient insects, check out articles from the Natural History Museum and ongoing research studies published in recognized journals.
Check out this related article: NASA Cancels Launch After Spacecraft Sustains Damage: What It Means for Future Missions
Source linkAnimals, Wasps, Insects, China, Zoology, Science, Lars Vilhelmsen, Gabriel Melo
