It's a fly larva with its thorax formed into a sucking plate. This larva could suck onto passing Salamanders with its thorax and then, while being so comfortably and securely attached to its host, it would suck out the unsuspecting salamander’s blood with its mouth parts that were formed like a sting.
This bizarre creepy crawly creature lived 165 million years ago in the freshwater lakes of what is now known as Inner Mongolia.
The elongated fly larva is about two centimeters long and underwent some serious changes throughout its evolution. Its tube-shaped head is very tiny in comparison with its body. The mid-body has developed to be an enormous sucking plate and on its abdomen it has caterpillar-like legs.
The scientists named this recently discovered creature Qiyia Jurassica. Qiyia means bizarre, which this parasite certainly is! Jurassica refers to the Jurassic period in which these parasites lived.
No other insect is known to be equipped with such a highly specialized design to date.
