Warrior wasp

A new species of wasp that is much larger than the typical insect and features a massive jaw has scientists abuzz.

Discovered by US entomologist Lynn Kimsey on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Berlin by entomologist Michael Ohl, the insect has been dubbed the "Komodo dragon" of the wasp family.

"Its body size and jet-black color make this wasp a really disturbing creature," Ohl said in a statement.

A member of the Dalara genus, Kimsey and Ohl have tentatively named the insect Garuda after a mythical, part human, part eagle warrior that serves as the national symbol of Indonesia.

Male Dalara Garudas are about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) long. While the females are smaller, they remain larger than other insects in their subfamily, Kimsey said.

"Its jaws are so large that they wrap up either side of the head when closed," she said in a statement. "When the jaws are open they are actually longer than the male's front legs. I don't know how it can walk. The females are smaller but still larger than other members of their subfamily."

As it has never been observed in the wild, little is known about the Dalara Garuda's characteristics. The entomologists, however, say they think it's likely that the male's huge jaws play a role in self-defense and possibly reproduction.

"We don't know anything about the biology of these wasps," Kimsey said. "They are only known from southwestern Sulawesi."

One of Indonesia's larger islands, Sulawesi is between Borneo and New Guinea and known for its endemic biodiversity.

Author: Sean Sinico

Editor: Zulfikar Abbany