No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchive277 terrifying new species of parasitic wasps discovered in Costa Rica

277 terrifying new species of parasitic wasps discovered in Costa Rica

There are thousands of species of parasitic wasps in the world, and this week scientists released a study cataloging 277 new ones. All of the wasps can be found in Costa Rica and all of them are terrifying.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal ZooKeys, released details of the new species, all part of a category of parasitic wasps known as Heterospilini.

Parasitic wasps inject their eggs into other insects. When the baby wasps hatch into larvae, they feed off the host’s insides, predictably killing it. The larvae then pupate, which is a gross-sounding word for when a wasp bursts out of a dead host’s skin.

The Heteospilini have taken this already disturbing birth method to a whole new level, injecting their hosts with viruses that weaken its immune system. The virus actually comes from a template in the wasp’s DNA.

The study’s head researcher, Paul Marsh of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, described the process as “extraordinary and morbid” in a press release. He also said he believes there are many more undiscovered wasps out there.

“We estimate that perhaps another 50-100 species could be added to the total to contribute to the astonishing biodiversity of Costa Rica,” he said. 

 

Popular Articles

U.S. Tourists Share Robbery Experience in Costa Rica as Crime Concerns Rise

As Costa Rica continues to battle rising crime rates, a recent robbery involving two American tourists has captured widespread attention, thanks to a series...

American Airlines Adds More Chicago-Costa Rica Flights for High Season

American Airlines has announced plans to increase its number of flights to Costa Rica from Chicago for their 2025-26 winter travel season, aligning with...

Costa Rica President’s State of Nation Address Sparks Controversy

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves delivered his third State of the Nation Address to the Legislative Assembly, employing an unconventional approach that blended multimedia...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait

Latest Articles