New killer wasp species discovered. It was hiding in plain sight

The findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, reveal a wasp species that uniquely targets adult fruit flies, a behavior never before observed in parasitoid wasps.

In Short

• These wasps were known to attack only immature life stages of flies
• This discovery was made in backyard fly traps
• It has been hailed as a 'spectacular example of undescribed biology hidden in plain sight'

A team of researchers from Mississippi State University has made a remarkable discovery that is sending ripples through the scientific community.

Led by Associate Professor Matthew Ballinger, the team has identified a new species of parasitic wasp with unprecedented biology, challenging long-held assumptions in the field of entomology.

The findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, reveal a wasp species that uniquely targets adult fruit flies, a behavior never before observed in parasitoid wasps.

Traditionally, these wasps were known to attack only immature life stages of flies. This discovery, made in backyard fly traps, has been hailed as a "spectacular example of undescribed biology hidden in plain sight."

Logan Moore, a Ph.D. student and lead author of the study, initiated the project by collecting infected fruit flies from his backyard in Starkville, Mississippi.

Further research showed that the new species, named Syntretus perlmani, is present across the Eastern United States and infects Drosophila melanogaster, one of the most studied organisms in biology.

The team collaborated with Scott Shaw, an entomologist from the University of Wyoming, to formally describe the new species. They have also documented its complete life cycle and provided instructions for laboratory cultivation, paving the way for future research.

This discovery opens up new avenues for studying fundamental biological processes such as immunity and reproduction in Drosophila. Ballinger emphasized the importance of continued investment in insect biodiversity and systematics research, highlighting the potential for more groundbreaking discoveries in this field.

The unexpected nature of this find points to the vast amount of undiscovered biodiversity that may exist even in well-studied environments, prompting scientists to reevaluate their understanding of parasitoid-host relationships and ecosystem dynamics.