Absurd Creature of the Week: The Wasp That Lays Eggs Inside Caterpillars and Turns Them Into Slaves

Few parasitoids are more bizarre or disturbing than the wasps of the genus Glyptapanteles, whose females inject their eggs into living caterpillars. Once inside, the larvae mature, feeding on the caterpillar’s body fluids before gnawing through its skin en masse and emerging into the light of day. And despite the trauma, not only does the caterpillar survive---initially at least---but the larvae proceed to mind-control it, turning their host into a bodyguard that protects them as they spin their cocoons and finish maturing. Then, finally, the caterpillar starves to death, but only after the tiny wasps emerge from their cocoons and fly away.

The post Absurd Creature of the Week: The Wasp That Lays Eggs Inside Caterpillars and Turns Them Into Slaves appeared first on WIRED.

from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3f8df153/sc/36/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C10A0Cabsurd0Ecreature0Eweek0Eglyptapanteles0Ewasp0Ecaterpillar0Ebodyguard0C/story01.htm

via Science News