Ancient wasp captured in amber reveals its unique predatory strategy

In northern Myanmar, scientists discovered over a dozen female wasps preserved in amber that dates back 99 million years. This astonishing find has shed light on the predatory strategies of ancient insects. The researchers, including experts from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and Capital Normal University, observed that these wasps had an abdomen adorned with flappy paddles lined with thin bristles. This unique feature is reminiscent of the Venus flytrap plant, which captures and digests unsuspecting prey. However, the design of the wasp's mechanism suggests it was intended to hold a wriggling prey in place rather than crush it. This adaptation is characteristic of many parasitic wasps today, such as cuckoo and bethylid wasps, which use similar methods to exploit insects by laying their eggs within them. The wasps' elaborate structures make them particularly interesting, offering a glimpse into their evolutionary history and capabilities. Entomologists like Lynn Kimsey have noted the peculiarity of these wasps, underscoring the importance of studying unusual insects to understand their complexities and contributions to ecosystems across different ages. The findings were published in the journal BMC Biology, serving as a reminder that remarkable biological adaptations have existed long before modern insects existed and that many facets of insect life remain to be explored.