Scientists have uncovered an ancient insect, a parasitic wasp similar to the Venus flytrap plant, preserved in 99-million-year-old amber from Myanmar. The wasp’s abdomen features flappy paddles lined with thin bristles, resembling “a small bear trap.” Researchers believe this structure is used not to crush prey, but to hold an insect still while laying an egg.
The unique design, seen in no other known wasp or insect, suggests the parasitic wasp adapts a common strategy among cuckoo and bethylid wasps. The new species, named Sirenobethylus charybdis, is named after the Greek sea monster that creates whirlpools. Studying this unusual insect helps scientists understand what insects are capable of and how diverse they can be.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/parasitic-wasp-venus-flytrap-dad650c7d3c3592bd1c98fe855d09226