Wasps

Wasp-Mimicking Praying Mantis Discovered in Peru
Scientists have discovered the first species of praying mantis known to conspicuously mimic a wasp. It was discovered in Peru. (October 18, 2019)

New Zealand Parasitoid Wasp Named After Draco Malfoy
A newly discovered species of parasitoid wasp in New Zealand has been named after Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. (October 10, 2017)

Ancient Wasp Species Discovered in Amber Named After Ziggy Stardust
An ancient was species discovered in Burmese amber has been named after David Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust. (June 26, 2017)

Scientists Use CRISPR to Create Red-Eyed Mutant Wasps
Scientists created mutant wasps with red eyes using CRISPR gene-slicing technology. (April 25, 2017)

Ancient Wingless Wasp Preserved in 100 Million Year Old Amber
Scientists have discovered an ancient wingless wasp preserved in 100 million year old amber. Researchers created a new family for the unique wasp. (October 13, 2016)

Tiny Wasp to Help Battle Emerald Ash Borer Beetles
A tiny wasp is being brought in to fight the ash borer beetle which is devastating ash trees across the United States. (May 27, 2016)

New Wasp Species Named After Brad Pitt
A new wasp species has been named after actor Brad Pritt. The wasp is from South Africa. (May 4, 2016)

Parasitic Wasp Turns Spiders Into Cocoon Building Zombies
A parasitic wasp larva turns spiders into zombies and makes them build it a cocoon. The larva also eats the spider. (August 16, 2015)

New Paper Wasp Species Discovered Near Zurich, Switzerland
A new wasp species, the Swiss paper wasp, has been discovered in a swampy area near Zurich, Switzerland. (May 17, 2014)

Newly Discovered Wasps That Mummify Caterpillars Named After Shakira and Jimmy Fallon
Newly discovered wasps taht mummify caterpillars have been named after Shakira, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and other famous people. (May 8, 2014)

New Species of Fore Wing Folding Wasps Discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa
Scientists have discovered new species of fore wing folding ensign wasps in Sub-Saharan Africa. (May 2, 2014)

New Wasp Species Named After Dementors From Harry Potter
A new wasp species, Ampulex dementor, has been named after the soul sucking Dementors from the Harry Potter series. (April 26, 2014)

Scientists Find 186 Previously Unknown Species of Parasitoid Wasps in Costa Rica
Scientists have discovered nearly 200 previously unknown species of parasitoid wasps in Costa Rica. They were all named after local parataxomonists. (February 24, 2014)

Seven New Species of Nearctic Wasps Discovered
Seven new species of Nearctic wasps have been discovered. They are very small wasps with smooth and shiny bodies. (January 24, 2014)

Nine Colorful New Wasp Species Discovered in China
Scientists have discovered nine colorful new wasp species in China. They belong to the cucko wasp genus Cleptes. (December 19, 2013)

Two New Wasp Species Discovered in Brazil
Scientists have discovered two new wasp species in Brazil. One of the newly discovered wasps is a gorgeous black color. (November 26, 2013)

277 New Wasp Species Discovered in Costa Rica
277 new wasp species have been discovered in Costa Rica. The wasps belong to the braconid subfamily Doryctinae. (November 6, 2013)

Newly Discovered Parasitoid Wasp Species Rides on the Backs of Damselflies
A newly discovered parasitoid was species rides on the backs of damselflies. It also lays its eggs in their eggs. (July 29, 2013)

32 New Species of Tiny Parasitoid Wasps Discovered
32 new species of tiny parasitoid wasps have been discovered. The tiny wasps inject their eggs into spider eggs. (July 3, 2013)

New Wasp Species Found in Russia Named After University of California, Riverside
A new wasp species has been discovered in Russia. It has been named Gonatocerus ucri after UC Riverside. (May 6, 2013)

71 New Parasitoid Wasp Species Discovered in Southeast Asia
Scientists have discovered 71 new species of parasitoid wasp species in Southeast Asia. (April 23, 2013)

Giant Wasp Nest Over 21 Feet Long Found in Abandoned House
ThinkSpain reports that police in San Sebastian de la Gomera found a massive 7-meter (21-foot 9-inch) nest in an abandoned house. (April 12, 2013)

Spider Rock Nests Fail to Protect Juvenile Spiders From Predator Wasps
Zodarion styliferum, a species of ant-eating spider, makes the little igloo-shaped rock nests pictured above to protect juvenile spiders. (February 4, 2013)

Scientists Discover New Species of Fungus in a Wasp Nest
A team of Tufts researchers found a new species of fungus inside a paper wasp nest. (November 9, 2011)

Parasitic Wasp Makes Spiders Build Them a Special Web, Then Eats Them
Discovery reports that researchers have found that a parasitic wasp, Zatypota percontatoria, turns spiders into zombies and makes them build them a strange web house. (October 15, 2011)