New Parasitic Wasp Species Discovered in Eastern US

Researchers identify Syntretus perlmani, a wasp that uniquely infects adult fruit flies, marking a significant entomological discovery.

Scientists in Mississippi discovered a new wasp species, Syntretus perlmani, that lays eggs inside adult fruit flies.
This discovery is unprecedented as parasitoid wasps typically infect the larval or pupal stages of flies.
The wasp larvae grow inside the living flies for about 18 days before emerging, killing the host.
The wasp was found in multiple states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina, indicating a widespread presence.
Researchers were initially studying fruit flies for nematode infections when they stumbled upon this new species.