Author Topic: Voodoo Wasps  (Read 3606 times)

Offline asterixx

  • Bot Neophyte
  • *
  • Posts: 48
    • View Profile
Voodoo Wasps
« on: June 20, 2008, 08:59:50 PM »
Some of you may have seen this already. I thought it was a neat.


Zombie caterpillar controlled by voodoo wasps
"Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you.  Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch it to be sure."

Offline Numsgil

  • Administrator
  • Bot God
  • *****
  • Posts: 7742
    • View Profile
Voodoo Wasps
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2008, 09:38:16 PM »
I knew of cases of insect mind control, but this particular case was new to me.  Very cool.  Wonder how the larva get the caterpillar to do that.  Maybe they pinch it like a predator would if they sense too much vibration?

Offline asterixx

  • Bot Neophyte
  • *
  • Posts: 48
    • View Profile
Voodoo Wasps
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2008, 08:18:38 AM »
Quote from: Numsgil
Maybe they pinch it like a predator would if they sense too much vibration?

That could very well be. And I wonder if the motion is just random or if it is specifically directed at a certain disturbance on the caterpillars body.
"Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you.  Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch it to be sure."