Wood-boring wasp

The female wood-boring wasp deposits
its eggs inside pine trees, and its method of
doing so has inspired scientists to develop
safer and more-efficient surgical probes.
Consider: The wood wasp burrows into
the pine tree by means of an ovipositor
—a needlelike tube with two interlocking
shafts, or “valves,” each of which is covered
with backward-facing teeth. The teeth of
one valve catch onto the wood, thus providing
resistance, while the other valve slides
a small step forward. Then the teeth of
that valve catch onto the wood, providing resistance,
while the first valve slides forward.
By means of rapid oscillation—during
which the valves alternate in providing resistance
and moving forward—the ovipositor
drills nearly an inch (up to 20 mm) into sapwood
with minimal force, neither buckling
nor breaking in the process.
Inspired by the ovipositor of the female
wood wasp, scientists have created a prototype
neurosurgical probe that operates on
a similar principle. Its silicon needle consists
of two oscillating valves, each with microsize
teeth that can penetrate areas deep in
the brain with minimal damage. However,
the instrument is to have an additional feature.
“Unlike existing rigid surgical probes,”
explains New Scientist magazine, “the device
will be flexible enough to move along
the safest possible route, bypassing highrisk
areas of the brain during surgery, for example.”
Such a probe would also reduce the
number of incisions needed to access hardto-
reach areas.
What do you think? Did the ovipositor of
the female wood-boring wasp come about
by chance? Or was it designed?
(Aweke 2011 march)