Mississippi Researchers made an unusual discovery: they found a new species of wasp that reproduces by laying its eggs in live flies. This process was a real revelation for biologists when the researchers were studying fruit flies.
This was reported by URA-Inform, citing Nature.
Lead study author Logan Moore admitted:
“We didn't think it was real before.”
However, after conducting experiments, they confirmed the existence of this amazing parasitic species.
The wasps, called “syntretus perlmani,” reproduce by using their ovipositor to insert eggs directly into the abdomen of a fruit fly. These eggs soon hatch into spiny-tailed larvae that develops inside a live fly for 18 days. At the end, the larva literally breaks through the insect's abdomen, which causes the fly to die. As Moore noted, infected flies can remain alive for several hours after this painful process.
This gruesome breeding method is compared to the xenomorphs from the cult film “Alien” by Ridley Scott.
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