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Researchers have discovered a more complex behavior of recently discovered wasps on social spiders. These parasitic creatures lay on the arachnids and, when they hatch, they feed on the host. ( University of British Columbia )
Scientists have discovered in Ecuador a new parasitic wasp species that turns social spiders into zombies, that is, manipulates the arachnid so that it leaves its colony.
A study published in Ecological Entomology, discussed how Zatypota wasp, a newly discovered species, can make the Anelosimus eximius spider be obedient to his orders. Although this is not the first time that experts have noticed the behavior of zombies, this new case is more complex, the researchers said.
Unusual behavior of wasps
"Not only does this wasp target a species of social spider, but it makes her leave her colony, which she rarely does," explained author Philippe Fernandez-Fournier.
Fernandez-Fournier was in Ecuador to examine social spiders Anelosimus eximius, who are known to live in harmony in a colony and have an impeccable team work when it comes to catching prey. However, he observed that some of these insects had been infected by a parasitic larva and had moved away from their colony.
After these infected spiders left the colony, they began to weave closed canvases, much to Fernandez-Fournier's surprise. The incident, described as "weird" by the researcher, was only the beginning. When the scientist examined the cocoon more closely, what came out of the silk was a wasp.
Co-author of the study, Samantha Straus, said that although wasps are usually "elegant and graceful" creatures, they are ruthless. It was after they discovered what they were capable of doing to social spiders.
It has turned out that female wasps lay eggs in social spiders. When these hatch, the larvae eat the host until it gets bigger. The unfortunate arachnid, who now looks like a zombie, leaves the colony and starts making a cocoon for the larva.
What's worse is that after the spider has done all the work, she expects it to be eaten by the larva. After that, the larva stays in the cocoon and nine to eleven days later, it will come out.
On wasps attacking social spiders
This is unusual because wasps were known to target solitary spiders and not social spiders. In addition, Straus said that this behavior was much more "hardcore" than previously established, wasps can take control of the actions of spiders.
Researchers believe that it is precisely because of the colony that they can be offered more food. The experts also said that the larger the colonies, the more they were targeted by the wasps.
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