Science loves them, but don't look at this gallery on your lunch break

Caterpillar Covered in Wasp Larvae:  Dan L. Perlman/EcoLibrary

Welcome to the Living Wasp Nursery

A wasp sting is nothing compared to this -- the ichneumonoidea family of wasps uses caterpillars, aphids and spiders as unwilling hosts and feedbags for their unborn young. Many times the wasps inject a potent toxin that paralyzes the host and leaves it helpless. The wasp larvae eventually hatch and start feeding on their living host, preserving the vital organs until last. Horrible, yes. But at least most caterpillars don't have to play zombie-nanny to the babies who had just been feasting on their flesh.

10 Comments

Except for the algae it isn't that disgusting.

SO COOL!!
I loved the "blobfish"

Oh dear god!......the only thing that scares me is the bot fly, wouldn;t want to find THAT in you!

:D

-THE KID

Ophiguris

from Upsala, Ontario

Hmm, Only the Bot fly really seems disgusting X_X. Especially because, from the looks of it, that thing tears right through flesh and burrows /IN/ your body. That's what creeps me out most Oo. As for the rest, they're not so bad. The Blob Fish DOES look a little creepy though, I suppose underwater, they might have some mass and may be able to support themselves, as whales do until they are on land.

And seriously, why is there no Port Jackson Shark?

Okay, I'm a trekkie geek. That blobfish reminds me of the Videans from Star Trek: Voyager!

the blob fish is hysterical! none of them were too bad. except the bot fly.... jesus, thats creepy. i would NOT want that thing in my back.

I think the Tongue Louse is cute it needs to be renamed the lamb bug.

marct22

from Golden, CO

That blobfish looks like a drooling Ziggy! Not David Bowie Ziggy, but that short comic Ziggy

ok, the blob fish is disgusting

http://beecherbowers.com

I think the Tongue Louse is cute it needs to be renamed the lamb bug.
http://www.hedefnakliyat.com



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