Oxford Brookes researchers discover tiny 'pineapple' assassin insect
Hopes the discovery will give fresh insights into how these species evolve
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University have discovered a new species of feather-legged assassin bug, a minute predatory insect measuring just two millimetres in length.
This insect is said to offer valuable insights into evolutionary processes.
The species, Aratrichous anacomosus, has been nicknamed the 'pineapple assassin' due to its gland resembling a tiny pineapple.
Specimens were found in South Australia and Pibara, Western Australia, in remote areas such as river beds.
Dr Matthew Bulbert, Senior Lecturer in Conservation Ecology at Oxford Brookes, said: “This one really surprised us. It’s incredibly tiny, and it’s lost some of the features that usually define feather-legged assassin bugs.”
Feather-legged assassin bugs are known for their feathery legs and ant-hunting habit.
However, this newly identified species is said to present a distinct evolutionary pathway.
Characterised by extreme miniaturisation, the bug displays fewer feather-like hairs yet has developed larger, specialised antennae.
These antennae could facilitate interaction with ants, perhaps even mimicking them chemically to assimilate among them.
Despite its small size, the bug retains a gland important for attracting or manipulating ants, previously thought absent in this branch.
Daniel Bardey, the PhD student who discovered the bug, explained: “That’s what makes this species so exciting. It appears to be a transitional form that shows how features like this gland were lost and gained during the evolutionary history of these insects.”
Additionally, the discovery of this species in disparate locations in central Australia raises questions about its distribution, as the insects cannot fly and typically have limited ranges.
Dr Bulbert commented on the potential conservation implications: “Understanding where these species occur is important for conservation, because animals that cannot move far are especially vulnerable if their habitats are disturbed.”
Further intrigue stems from the finding that both male and female bugs have reduced wings - a feature not previously recorded for this insect group in Australia.
Feather-legged assassin bugs are one of the oldest lineages of assassin bugs, with ancient ancestors that uniquely adapted to the Australian environment.