New Parasitic Wasp Species Discovered in Mississippi Backyard

Researchers identify a wasp that lays eggs in adult fruit flies, a first in parasitoid wasp behavior.

The newly discovered wasp, Syntretus perlmani, injects its eggs into live adult fruit flies, a behavior never before observed in parasitoid wasps.
This discovery was made by researchers at Mississippi State University while collecting infected flies in Starkville, Mississippi.
The wasp's larva grows inside the fly for up to two weeks before bursting out, killing the host.
Traces of the wasp's DNA have been found across the Eastern U.S., suggesting a wider distribution than initially observed.
The new species could offer potential benefits for pest control, particularly in managing fruit fly populations.