Meteorus stellatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Braconidae
Genus: Meteorus
Species:
M. stellatus
Binomial name
Meteorus stellatus
Fujie et al., 2021

Meteorus stellatus is a species of parasitoid wasp, parasitising moths in the forests of the Okinawa-hontô and Amami-ôshima Islands, subtropical Japan.[1][2]

Larvae

The species was identified due to its unique cocoons which are star-shaped masses suspended by 1-meter threads.[2] Meteorus stellatus only lays one of theses cocoons at once. These threads can grow up to 1 meter in length. The cocoons are around 7 to 14 mm wide and 9 to 23 mm long. Scientist of the study believe this unique structure helps M. stellatus survive through the most critical time when they are exposed to various natural enemies and environmental stresses. The star shape most likely reduces the exposed area of individual cocoons, thus increasing their defense against hyper-parasitoids, while the long thread that suspends the cocoon mass protects the cocoons from potential enemies like ants.[2]

Etymology

The specific epithet "stellatus" came from the Latin word for "star" presumably due to the star-shaped cocoon masses.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Enrico de Lazaro: "Newly-Discovered Parasitoid Wasp Species Constructs Enigmatic Star-Shaped Cocoons". Sci-News.com. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "A star in subtropical Japan: unique cocoon masses". Pensoft. Retrieved 2021-12-02. Alternatively:
    "A star in subtropical Japan: a new species of parasitoid wasp constructs unique cocoon masses hanging on 1-meter-long strings". EurekAlert! Science News Service from AAAS. Retrieved 2021-12-02.


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