Wasps Destroy Fruit Flies, Polar Bears Do Laundry & Smokers Get An Entire Month Off

STRANGE NEW WASP SPECIES THAT WOULD MAKE THE ALIEN PROUD _ A horrifying new wasp species has been discovered in the US. The insect inserts its eggs into living flies, with the larvae later bursting out of the host’s abdomen. The life cycle of the species — Syntretus perlmani — involves the female wasp depositing her eggs inside a fruit fly using a hypodermic-like ovipositor. The larva then develops within the host for about 18 days before gruesomely erupting from the fly, leaving it to suffer for hours. The wasp was first discovered in a Mississippi backyard.
RAMPAGING MONKEY CAPTURED AFTER ATTACKING TOURISTS _ A monkey in India known for its aggressive behavior towards tourists has finally been captured. The simian, despite its cute appearance, had to be stopped after attacking a girl. In total, over 70 tourists were on the receiving end of the monkey’s aggressions. Forest Department officials in Rupnagar, India, set a trap to catch the monkey. The fate of the captured animal is unknown.
STRAVA USERS ARE PAYING PEOPLE COMPLETE THEIR WORKOUTS _ Strava, the popular exercise app for tracking runs and bike rides, is facing a rise in “Strava mules” — people paid to complete workouts on behalf of others. Users hire these mules to record physical activities they didn’t do, allowing them to share the stats and win in-app rewards. A guy in the US on TikTok says he’s been a Strava mule for “over a year.” • VIDEO
… A Strava mule from Indonesia says he has 76 regular clients and completes runs for those who are too busy or injured to exercise. In the UK, an IT experts works as a Strava jockey, helping clients with long-distance rides.
MAN STEALS 11-YEAR-OLD’S LEMONADE STAND _ In Ramona, California, one man has become the state’s most wanted after stealing an 11-year-old kid’s lemonade stand. The stand was placed at an intersection in the San Diego suburb and the boy had left his stand for two minutes to run home to grab more cups. Video from a nearby business shows a man in a pickup pull up and put the stand in the back of the truck. The boy, named Liam, had paid around $100 to build the stand. Liam’s been selling lemonade to save money for a new bike.
POLAR BEARS ADAPTED TO THE ARCTIC JUST 70,000 YEARS AGO _ Researchers are uncovering the secrets of polar bear evolution, shedding light on when these powerful Arctic predators diverged from their closest relatives, brown bears. Recent genomic analysis suggests that significant genetic changes that set polar bears apart may have occurred as recently as 70,000 years ago.
… Polar bears possess unique adaptations crucial for surviving extreme Arctic conditions. Their double-layered fur, consisting of downy insulation and guard hairs, acts like a built-in raincoat, while their white fur provides camouflage. These bears can efficiently digest high cholesterol from blubber, allowing them to thrive on fatty marine mammal diets.
SMOKERS WORK LESS _ A study found that smokers work one month less a year that nonsmokers because of smoke breaks. The average smoker take four 10-minute breaks a day — that adds up to one month less work annually.
DON’T MAKE BIG DECISIONS WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY _ Most people know that going grocery shopping on an empty stomach can only lead to heartache, when you realize you have nothing to show for your grocery run but potato chips and Kit Kats. But according to a study (University of Dundee), making any kind of decision while hungry can lead to poorer choices for the long-term.