Oriental Wasp Is The First Animal To Harvest Solar Energy

A breakthrough discovery has found the Oriental hornet is the first animal capable harvesting sun light into solar power.

Scientists eye brows were raised when they noticed that the Oriental wasp, unlike other wasps, were most active in the middle of the day.

After investigating the phenomena, scientists discovered that an Oriental hornet's shell can trap sunlight, while the pigment xanthopterin converts it to energy.

While, there isn't enough energy found in these little insects to consider utilizing their special skill as a new energy source for us, scientists, like the studies leader Marian Plotkin, still find it fascinating, saying:

"We've seen solar harvesting in plants and bacteria, but never before in animals."

Nature never ceases to amaze us.

Maybe they will find this ability in more animals or insects upon further study and might better understand how to utilize solar energy for our own use.

Tags: animals, bug, energy, insects, scientists, wasp