Scientists Discover 24 New Species of Wasps that Mummify Caterpillars

The ancient Egyptians weren't the only ones to employ mummification. Scientists have now uncovered 24 new species of wasps in Ecuador that mummify caterpillars. The findings reveal a little bit more about these strange insects.

The 24 new species are called Aleiodes wasps. And many of the new species are now named after famous people, including Jimmy Fallon, John Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Ellen DeGeneres. Yet what's most striking about these species is their feeding behaviors.

"These wasps are very small organisms, being only 4 to 9 millimeters long, but they have an enormous impact on forest ecology," said Scott Shaw, one of the researchers, in a news release.

 The Aleiodes wasps are parasites of forest caterpillars. The female wasps search for a particular kind of caterpillar and then inject an egg into it. The egg hatches and while the parasitism affects the caterpillar, it doesn't immediately kill it. Instead, the wasp larva continues to feed on the caterpillar until it shrinks and mummifies. Once the caterpillar reaches this point, the immature wasp makes its cocoon inside the remains. Once the wasp completes its development, it cuts an exit hole from the mummified caterpillar and then flies away to mate and spark another cycle.

"Killing and mummifying caterpillars may sound bad, but these are actually highly beneficial insects," said Shaw in a news release. "These wasps are helping to naturally control the populations of plant-feeding caterpillars, so they help to sustain the biodiversity of tropical forests."

The findings reveal a bit more about these strange species and their impact on the environment around them. More specifically, it shows how these parasitic wasps can help keep vegetating-munching caterpillars in check. This, in particular, is crucial for maintaining planet biodiversity.

The findings are published in the journal ZooKeys.