BEERWAH State High School students’ contribution to science has been confirmed thanks to an inquisitive bunch of year 8 students who have incredibly discovered a new species of wasp.
The tiny parasitic wasp was discovered last year during an investigation into insects inhabiting the surrounding bushland. Its behaviour is not for the feint-hearted though.
The unnamed wasp may be tiny but it is ruthless in its quest for survival as it lays its eggs in caterpillars which then eat the caterpillar from the inside-out.
The investigation was undertaken as part of a collaborative science project called Insect Investigators between universities and schools.
The current Year 8 Pinnacle class, who conducted the investigation, have now been invited to name the wasp with science teacher Paul Schneider saying it was a proud moment for the students and the school.
“After almost 12 months, the DNA tests and study by University of Adelaide taxonomists Mollie-Rosae Slater-Baker (a PhD candidate) and Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries, show that we have discovered a new species of wasp,” Paul said.
“We were really excited firstly to be a part of the program and then for the students to actually discover a new insect was something else.”
Two of the students who helped discover the wasp, Kai and Noah, said the discovery was exciting and they were looking forward to settling on a name.
“I’d like to name it after the school to recognise where we found it,” Kai said.
Noah added that he was impressed with the parasitic nature of the wasp.
“It’s pretty cool knowing how it eats the caterpillar from the inside,” he said.
The students have been invited to be part of the World Science Festival in Brisbane in March as special guests where the new name will be revealed.
Scientists from University of Adelaide and University of the Sunshine Coast will be visiting the class shortly to help with the naming which has to follow scientific protocol.
“Well done to all students and the Science staff who participated in this program,” Paul said.
Insect Investigators is a citizen science project engaging 50 schools in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia in the science of insect taxonomy.