Ever since they have first discovered the rare species of wasps, scientists have been going great lengths to figure out how ‘Dementor’ wasp turns victims into paralyzed zombies. Based on the recent discoveries they have made, the Harry Potter – inspired wasp stings its victims in a precisely aimed location, thus rendering them totally free of will.
Jungle rules are the toughest rules to live by and, judging by the recent discoveries that scientists have made, insect rules are even tougher. Wasps are generally considered dangerous species of insects as their venom can cause various allergic reactions to men, but some exemplars may be worse than others.
It is also the case of the ‘Dementor’ wasp, one rare species of insects which can turn its victims into paralyzed zombies in a blink of an eye. Experts have closely studied the techniques that ‘Dementor’ uses in order to render its victims limbless and, hence perfect victims.
The favorite victims of wasps are cockroaches and in spite of their fast running skills, they can never escape the ferocious insects. The latter use their highly accurate precision to aim the neural centers located on the cockroaches’ backs and thus, prevent them from making any more movements.
The venom that the ‘Dementor’ wasp uses paralyzes cockroaches for a given period of time, which is usually enough for the insect to devour its limbless prey. Wasps also carry their victims in safer areas where they can eat their free-willed ‘lunch’ uninterrupted by other insects or potential predators.
The cruelty in Dementor’s attacking techniques resides in the fact that cockroaches are still alive when the wasp consumes them. Microscopic footage has revealed that the victims are still capable of moving their muscles, but they cannot do so because of the venom that has been injected in their neural centers. Scientists have further explained that the venom “blocks receptors of the neurotransmitter octopamine, which is involved in the initiation of spontaneous movement”.
The rare species of wasps, scientifically known as Ampulex Dementor, were named after a famous character in the Harry Poter series. In spite of their sadistic behavior, scientists are glad such rare examples of insects still exist in our environment.
Many new species of plants, insects and animals have been recently discovered by scientists during recent expeditions in Vietnam. The region is home to 90 plants, 23 reptiles, 16 amphibians, nine fish, and one mammal that were discovered in 2014. Vietnam is also rich in bent-toed gecko geneses, a very rare type of geko, which scientists believed to have become extinct a long time ago.
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