Kiddo Wasp Named for 'Kill Bill' Assassin

This image show a close up of
Cystomastacoides kiddo,
named after Beatrix Kiddo, a
protagonist from Tarantino's
"Kill Bill." CREDIT: Buntika Butcher
and Donald L. J. Quicke

Kiddo Wasp Named for 'Kill Bill' Assassin
Mar 19, 2013 | Live Science

A new species of parasitic wasp with a lethal lifestyle is taking its name from assassin Beatrix Kiddo, the heroine played by Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films.

While the winged creature isn't exactly a master of the "Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique" — a technique that involves striking five pressure points, resulting in (you guessed it) an exploding heart — it does shares the yellow-and-black color of Kiddo's jumpsuit. Even more, the wasp has its own deadly repertoire of assassinlike moves.

Found in Thailand, the wasp has been formally named Cystomastacoides kiddo. The newly described species belongs to a family of parasitoid wasps, known as Braconidae, which turn the bodies of other insects into living incubators for their babies.

A Braconidae wasp typically implants its eggs inside of a host insect. As the larvae grow, they eat the host from the inside out, if not killing it, rendering the host immobile or sterile, researchers say. [The 10 Most Diabolical and Disgusting Parasites]

This picture shows,
Cystomastacoides nicolepeelerae,
named after the lead author's favorite
novelist Nicole Peeler. CREDIT:
Buntika Butcher and Donald L. J. Quicke

Parasitic wasps are known for their morbidly clever ways. For instance, recent research found that one species of parasitic wasp, Ampulex compressa, has larvae that secrete antimicrobial substances to keep their host, a cockroach, from spoiling. In another study, detailed in 2011 in the journal Biology Letters, scientists found Dinocampus coccinellae wasps use ladybugs as incubators because the zombie ladybugs keep predators away from the wasps' vulnerable larva.

In the new study, scientists identified two more new species of wasps in the Cystomastacoides genus, but in Papua New Guinea. One, Cystomastacoides asotaphaga, was discovered victimizing a moth caterpillar of the species Asota plana. The other, Cystomastacoides nicolepeelerae, was named for fantasy author Nicole Peeler, a favorite novelist of Donald Quicke, a researcher at Imperial College London who led the study.

The scientists say their findings expand the range of this parasitic wasp genus, which had previously only been known from a single species, Cystomastacoides coxalis, found only in mainland China.

Just last year, scientists identified at least 177 distinct species of parasitic wasps in the Orthocentrinae subfamily from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Amazon rain forests of Ecuador.

The new species from Thailand and Papua New Guinea were described today (March 19) in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research.

Scientists Find More Wasps That Eat Maggots from Inside Out

© Live Science

Scientists Find More Wasps That Eat Maggots from Inside Out
Oct 3, 2012 | Live Science

Little is known about tropical parasitic wasps in the subfamily Orthocentrinae besides their gruesome lifestyle. They lay their single egg in the body of a fly maggot and as the baby wasp larva grows, it eats the body of its host from the inside out.

Now researchers say they've discovered a surprising diversity of the group in South and Central America.

Scientists examined 1,549 Orthocentrinae wasps that were collected in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Amazon rain forests of Ecuador. From this group, they identified at least 177 distinct species — far more than the 14 currently described in the region and more than the 151 species known in North America, where they have been more thoroughly studied.

These parasitic wasps, which are just a few millimeters long, were believed to be more diverse in temperate climates. But study researcher Gavin Broad said the new findings challenge that assumption.

"We now have good evidence that these wasps are very diverse in the tropics and we should take that into account when looking at patterns of biodiversity across the globe," Broad, a wasp expert with the Natural History Museum in London, said in a statement. He added that the diversity of species could reveal more about the subfamily's place in the ecosystem.

"Considering the numbers of these wasps that can be found in forests, they must be playing an important role in the complicated cycle that breaks down dead wood," Broad explained.

"The fungi break down wood, as well as leaves and other organic debris. The flies eat the fungi and the orthocentrines feed on the flies — there is a complicated and delicate pyramid of interactions supported by the presence of dead wood and leaf litter in the forests."

Broad and his colleagues identified the wasps through DNA tests and differences in the specimens' physical characteristics. Their findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Wednesday (Oct. 3) and they say their next step is to properly name and describe the new species.

How to Avoid Florida Black Widows and Wasp Stings

 How to Avoid Florida Black Widows and Wasp Stings - R. Mark Sink

If you live in the midst of Florida and have a back yard, you are most likely going to have many spiders. Most of these varieties are harmless unless noticeably vivid in color. However, I've begun to see a different variety that is not vivid black, but a chameleon color that is hard to see.

From Red Orbit Reference Library

The Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus), also known as the Brown Button Spider, Geometric Button Spider, or Gray Widow, is a species of arachnid that is related to the famous Black Widow Spider. The Brown Widow is found in the northern and southern United States. States include Florida, Alabama, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It is also found in some regions in Japan, Australia, South Africa and Cyprus. The origins of the species is unknown as it was independently discovered in both Africa and the Americas. They are commonly found in buildings.

The color of the Brown Widow can range from tan to dark brown or even black, though its generally lighter in color than the Black Widow. Some shades of gray have also been recorded in this species. There is an “hourglass” marking on the underside of the abdomen. This hourglass is orange or yellow in color. There is also a black and white geometric pattern on the upper side of the abdomen. The pattern is not always visible, especially as the spider darkens in color over time.

An easy way to find a Brown Widow is by searching for the easily identifiable egg sac. The egg sacs resemble sandspur (having pointy projections all over that resemble small spikes). The eggs hatch in about 20 days.

The neurotoxic venom of this species has been reported as being more potent than that of the Black Widow, but is usually confined to the bite area and surrounding tissue. Other sources believe the toxin is less venomous. Either way, people that have been bitten describe the experience as quite painful. Extreme care should be taken when playing or working in areas that this species are abundant.

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An easy way to recognize their presence is their eggs that resemble a brown sack-looking spiked apparatus that is approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. If you see the eggs, you can guarantee the mother is near. They gather at all locations approximately 1 to 2 feet off the ground in and around anything that accommodates a hub of protection. 

I have many ladders that are often stored outside so killing black widows has become a past time as these locations are guaranteed infestations. If you spray your yard with pesticides, you will reduce their presence while also exposing your family to neurotoxins.

Today, I killed a rather large brown widow by using a stick to draw her out which she then immediately created a silk escape line approaching the ground where she then was destroyed. Any type of ledge or inside corner, underneath patio furniture, and in the approximate height zone is capable infestation. I've killed hundreds while living in Florida, mostly black, and it is recommended to become aware of the practice of ensuring your interaction with the stuff we accumulate has not become their home.

From Florida Wasps

Avoiding black widows may seem scary, actually I've never been bit by one. That is not the case for the wasp, as understanding how to avoid them is quite different in nature. They most often require higher ground clearance to build their nests automatically out of your normal view. They also have range factor, if you are within their range and disturb them, an attack is announced to the entire crew. They fly similar to F-15s to acquire their target and can sting you many times.

The paper wasps is more common where I live which is central Florida. If the wasps don't look as wimpy as these, be sure and increase your range. These require a range of approximately 10 feet, so a stick 10 feet long can be used to remove the nest attachment. There is no reason to kill the wasps as they only care about the nest. Once the nest is removed, they will wander around and eventually build another nest, and sometimes in the same location.

For the more scary looking variety, use a 16 foot stick as this is out of range, although you do want to retreat once your attempt is completed just as assurance they cannot set you as a target. The paper wasps range is rather small, but a minimum of 10 feet is recommended with the additional retreat upon displacing unwanted nests.

Nests can be difficult to spot and wasps love to hide under areas you would not expect. Their nesting is broader than the spider and also can be close to the ground unexpectedly. Their sting is quite painful depending on the location. Anywhere on the hands or arms is critical, the back and neck not so much, and the face of course critical.

I use a Melaleuca oil bath immediately on all stings and repeat applications. Some more natural methods of treatments are available from Natural News.