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‘Godzilla wasp’ discovered in Japan can swim underwater and inserts its parasitic larvae into unsuspecting prey
- It is the first example of a species of wasp that deliberately dives under water
- The wasp does this to attack the caterpillars from below to catch them off guard
- Researchers found the animal in Japan and named it
A terrifying new species of wasp has been discovered that can swim underwater.
The newly discovered Japanese creature received the nickname “Godzilla wasp” from its exercises due to its resemblance to the science fiction monster when it emerges from the water.
The animal, also known by the scientific name Microgaster godzilla, looks for aquatic caterpillars that live on water and hide within algae and other plants.
When the wasp spots the creature, which lives in protective enclosures, it dives underwater and attacks from below.
The animal, also known by the scientific name Microgaster godzilla, looks for aquatic caterpillars that live on water and hide inside algae and other plants
The wasp can be submerged for several seconds as it struggles with the larvae before forcing it out of its shell.
Once its prey is exposed, the wasp emerges from the depths and clings, inserting its parasitic larvae into the caterpillar’s flesh.
The eggs subsequently eat the animal from the inside, using it as a food source before hatching.
Most wasps are severely opposed to approaching water, with only two other species considered aquatic.
However, none have ever been documented submerging in the water completely and deliberately.
The newly found animal received the nickname “Godzilla wasp” from its discoverers due to its resemblance to the science fiction monster (pictured) when it emerges from the water. The animal is also known by its scientific name Microgaster godzilla
“The reasons we decided to use the name Godzilla for the wasp species are interesting,” said Dr. Jose Fernandez-Triana of the Canadian National Collection of Insects in Ottawa.
First, being a Japanese species, it respectfully honors Godzilla, a fictional monster (kaiju) who became an icon after the 1954 Japanese film of the same name and many subsequent remakes.
‘It has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Japanese popular culture around the world.
Second, the participation behavior of the wasp bears some resemblance to the kaiju character, in the sense that the wasp suddenly emerges from the water to parasitize the host, similar to how Godzilla suddenly emerges from the water in the movies.
Third, Godzilla has sometimes been associated, albeit in different ways, with Mothra, another kaiju that is typically depicted as a larva (caterpillar) or adult moth.
‘As you can see, we had biological, behavioral and cultural reasons to justify our choice of a name.
“Of course, that’s a little fun, because that’s an important part of life and science too!”
The findings are published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
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