Harry Potter baddies inspire naming of a new species of wasp

After a public voting at The Museum of Natural History in Berlin, a new species of cockroach wasp has been named.

The museum decided to include the public in deciding the name of this new creature, so they put some names up for a vote.

According to Buzzfeed, the museum believes that getting the public involved in naming the species is a great way to gain interest in the biodiversity and discovery of the creature.

The name of the species was narrowed down to four names, and museum visitors were asked to pick their favorite:

Ampulex bicolor – derived from latin “bi” meaning two, and color because of its distinctive red-black coloration.

Ampulex mon – Mon people were one of the earliest known ethnic groups in Thailand, where this species originated.

Ampulex dementor – referring to the Dementors in the fictional Harry Potter novels. Dementors can consume a person’s soul leaving their victims empty but functional, just like the paralyzed cockroach.

Ampulex plagiator – this new species mimics the ant (like plagiarism) in its general appearance as well as movement.

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So which one was the winner?

Drumroll, please…

Obviously with so many Harry Potter fans out there, it’s no wonder “Ampulex dementor” was the winner of the name contest.

According to the museum, the wasps were very similar to the Harry Potter Dementors because of their ability to paralyze their prey before eating it. They’re certainly as scary looking as the Dementors in the film!

Researchers said “the Dementor’s fictional behavior and effects reminded us of the effect of the stinging behavior of Ampulex on the behavior of its cockroach prey.”

A new species of bee who not only stings, but paralyzes? Time to get out the bug spray.

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