Darwin wasps show evolution follows predictable paths in different species
Scientists studying Ichneumonidae wasps found that their varied strategies for killing hosts reveal consistent patterns in evolutionary development.
Parasitic larvae consume living hosts
These insects lay eggs on or inside caterpillars, beetles and spiders. The developing larvae feed on the host while it remains alive before eventually killing it.
Some wasps paralyze prey first
Certain species permanently paralyze their hosts to create immobile food supplies for offspring. Other insects allow hosts to continue feeding and growing during larval consumption.
Strategies suggest evolutionary predictability
Different approaches to parasitism exist within the family Ichneumonidae which includes over 25,000 described species. These contrasting methods offer insight into how predictable evolution can be across organisms.
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