Scientists have found an extinct parasitic wasp, Sirenobethylus charybdis, trapped in 99-million-year-old amber. It was discovered in Myanmar’s Kachin region and gives evidence of the body structure of early insects.
This wasp possessed an unorthodox paddle-shaped abdominal structure lined with hair-like bristles. Scientists attribute this feature to a trapping device, like that of the Venus flytrap. It would most likely be used to catch and immobilize the prey, allowing the female wasp to lay eggs on a host. Once the larvae have grown, they would eat away at the host from the inside.
The finding identifies an evolutionary feature that enabled this species to survive. Scientists think that the form contributed to trapping prey, providing a reliable food supply for offspring. Unlike other parasitic insects that obtain hosts from outside, the design of this wasp implies a means of entrapment directly before laying eggs.
Fossilized insects preserved in amber have been important in the study of ancient life for a long time. This specimen adds more information on how certain insects developed ways to maintain their life cycle. The structure of the wasp and its feeding behavior contribute to what is known about ancient parasitoid species, which relied on other living things for survival.
The results also add to a larger understanding of the biological interactions between organisms that took place millions of years ago. The anatomy of the wasp reveals how certain extinct species evolved specialized tools to survive. Unlike today’s wasps, which incapacitate their hosts with stingers or chemical secretions, this species depended on its specially structured abdomen.
This finding highlights the significance of amber fossils in reconstructing ecosystems in ancient times. The entombment of insects in tree resin gives us a view of the past and details regarding species that have since died out. With additional studies, researchers expect to learn more about how these ancient insects moved around in their ecosystem and how adaptations affected other species in their time.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/