So much better than that pointless Prometheus movie, is this glimpse into the kind of parasitism Hollywood just can’t match. In this Purdue Extension Entomology Service produced video, you’ll see a hornworm devour a tomato and then fall prey–Alien-style–to a species of parasitic wasp (Cotesia congregata). Not only do these parasitic wasps devour their host but in order to overcome the caterpillar’s defenses, mama wasp injects a virus before laying her eggs.
How do you create habitat for Cotesia congregata? Adults feed on nectar producing plants and, of course, you need to make sure you keep a few hornworms on hand!
Thanks to Jeff Spurrier for posting this video in Facebook.
Oh my god! They’re in me! They’re going to come squeezing out my pores!! Terrifying.
That was awesome! Something you don’t see everyday. Or perhaps ever. Thanks for sharing!
In the immortal words of Cleveland… ‘Yeah… That’s Nasty.”
The real world is so much more fascinating than Science Fiction. 🙂
That was awesome and the way it should be! Thank you!