Amazing Nature Discovery: Ancient Wingless Wasp Found

A unique ancient wasp without wings has been found in a 100-million old piece of Burmese amber. Scientists believe that this wingless insect named Aptenoperissus burmanicus lived nearly 100 million years ago in the Hukawng Valley of Myanmar.

Earlier, the scientists were confused regarding the classification of the wasp. In a report by the UPI, according to George Poinar, Professor of Oregon State's College of Science, "The insect seemed to have the legs of a grasshopper, antennae of an ant, abdomen of a cockroach and face of a wasp." He added that he had no idea of what it was when he looked at the creature initially.

It is said that the female insect used to crawl down the trees looking for its prey and a safe place to lay eggs. The creature belongs to Hymenoptera, the family of bees and wasps. Being wingless, it is clearly understood that the insect did not have the ability to fly and its healthy legs were an indicator of how good it had been at jumping.

It is classified as Aptenoperissidae, a part of the greater Hymenoptera, and is considered to be the only known specimen in the contemporary world. This wingless wasp had a cleaning mechanism at the tip of its antennae, like its cousins who belonged to the group of Hymenoptera. It is used to spend most of the time along the ground under the feet of the dinosaurs.

The findings of the ancient wingless wasp have been reported in the journal, 'Cretaceous Research', by scientists from Russia, England, and the US.Mr. Poinar stated that this powerful and robust wasp can give a painful sting, reports The Daily Mail. He also went on to add that a new family had to be created because this powerful ancient wasp did not fit into any other group.