The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Experts Marvel at wasp named after Idris Elba
Science: Insect could prove to be crop ‘protector’
When people think of Idris Elba they might think of Luther, The Wire, or even his DJ sets – what does not spring to mind is a wasp.
But scientists have named a newly-discovered wasp species after the British actor and musician.
The insect was detected in Guanajuato, Mexico, where it was found to parasitise the eggs of the invasive bagrada bug, which is a major pest of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli.
Species of Idris were previously known to only parasitise spider eggs. Dr Refugio Lomeli-Flores and his team in Guanajuato were therefore surprised to see specimens of Idris emerging from the eggs of the bagrada bug.
They were able to match the DNA of the adult wasp with DNA left behind in the eggs of the bug, and have it confirmed that it was an undescribed species.
Scientists say the discovery marks an important step towards the development of efficient and natural control of the Bagrada hilaris bug in North America.
The researchers said
Idris elba is exceptional because it demonstrates that these wasps can make the leap from parasitising the eggs of spiders to the eggs of stink bugs.
The authors said: “The physiological and developmental suitability of B. hilaris eggs for I. elba is remarkable given the fact that the accidental host is not closely related to the hosts that are usually attacked by Idris species.”
Researchers believe the species might prove to be a Heimdall-like “protector” for many crops.
Elba played the character Heimdall in a number of Marvel movies including Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War.
Heimdall’s namesake, Heimdallr, is a Norse deity believed to be the sole protector of the bridge linking the human world and the realm of the gods.