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Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a huge stinger on its tail that could inject a powerful and deadly sting into any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a fierce weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims. Once paralysis has set in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species."



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The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their host - usually another inset. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside out. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is likely to be a spider, although they need to undertake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall prey to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species with strange habits catch people's attention and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

Sources:

  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5927195/Terrifying-wasp-uses-stinger-like-fierce-weapon-lay-eggs-INSIDE-spiders-Amazon.html
  • https://www.techtimes.com/articles/231827/20180707/new-breed-of-wasp-with-exceptionally-large-stinger-discovered-in-the-amazon.htm
  • http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2018/07/i-do-not-like-this-new-wasp-species-whose-giant-stinger-lays-eggs-inside-spiders/

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