Breaking News English

Newly-discovered Amazon wasp has giant stinger

Wasp - Level 4

A new wasp was found in the Amazon. It has a huge stinger that can sting and paralyze any unlucky victim. The wasp then lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from a university in Finland found the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species. It looks like a fierce weapon."

Some wasps put larvae inside the insects they sting. The larvae grow and eat the insect from the inside. Most victims of this wasp are spiders. Further research will find out exactly which kinds of spiders. The professor explained the giant stinger was, "a highly sophisticated tool" and he could "only guess at its other purposes". He added: "Beautiful and exciting species...catch people's attention and highlight the importance of...ecosystems."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Wasp - Level 5

Scientists have found a new wasp that could be the subject of a horror movie. It was found in the Amazon. It has a huge stinger on its tail that can inject a deadly sting into any unlucky victim. A scientist said it "looks like a fierce weapon". The stinger's venom paralyzes its victims. The wasp then lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from a university in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species."

The professor explained that some wasps put larvae inside the insects they sting. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside. Researchers believe most victims of this wasp are likely to be spiders. They will do more research to find out exactly which kinds of spiders might fall prey to the wasp. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger...is very likely a highly sophisticated tool as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species...catch people's attention and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Wasp - Level 6

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."

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."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson