The caterpillar is actually infected by a parasite. The parasite is using the caterpillar's body as a storage to harbour parasitoid larvae. Inside, they are controlling the behavior of the catepillar and defending it from potential prey. The caterpillar is instructed to move chaotically brush off prey (i.e. ladybug). The Catepillar will eventually die before adulthood, but its just enough time for the parasite and parasitoids to live and find new hosts.
Not quite -- the parasites have left the caterpillar and are pupating in all those cocoons that are attached to the twig. But somehow before exiting the caterpillar they were able to "program" it to defend them from predators while they are in this vulnerable state.
@lorax444 the theory behind that is that a few larvae remain inside the caterpillar and modify the behavior of the caterpillar. they die with the host, sacrifice themselves so that their kin may live
@thewizardofzoz Do you have a reference for that? My understanding is that all the wasp larvae exit the caterpillar in this case. What you're describing sounds like what liver fluke worms do to ants. (I tried to post a link but YouTube won't let me... if you're interested, go to the blog called "BugTracks" and check out the post called "Mind Control."
that's not a zombie. IT'S POSSESSED.
IvyLULZ 5 months ago
what the heck
123toyboyz 5 months ago
wtf this is crazy
0neofthem 1 year ago
The caterpillar is actually infected by a parasite. The parasite is using the caterpillar's body as a storage to harbour parasitoid larvae. Inside, they are controlling the behavior of the catepillar and defending it from potential prey. The caterpillar is instructed to move chaotically brush off prey (i.e. ladybug). The Catepillar will eventually die before adulthood, but its just enough time for the parasite and parasitoids to live and find new hosts.
Thx, DTG - UTM 2009
NORE2323 2 years ago
Not quite -- the parasites have left the caterpillar and are pupating in all those cocoons that are attached to the twig. But somehow before exiting the caterpillar they were able to "program" it to defend them from predators while they are in this vulnerable state.
lorax444 2 years ago
@lorax444 the theory behind that is that a few larvae remain inside the caterpillar and modify the behavior of the caterpillar. they die with the host, sacrifice themselves so that their kin may live
thewizardofzoz 2 years ago
@thewizardofzoz Do you have a reference for that? My understanding is that all the wasp larvae exit the caterpillar in this case. What you're describing sounds like what liver fluke worms do to ants. (I tried to post a link but YouTube won't let me... if you're interested, go to the blog called "BugTracks" and check out the post called "Mind Control."
lorax444 4 months ago
i think the pillar was once raped by a lady bug. it happened to a friend of mine and he totally hates lady bugs now.
cabledude907 2 years ago
lol "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!!!!"
JamesTBond007 3 years ago
What the hell is wrong with it??
paperluigi64 3 years ago
YEAH! That caterpillar kicked that ladybuds ass! :D
truehope567 3 years ago 2
the lady bugs like.. this tree is crazy
DonJusty 3 years ago
Poor lady bug, probably thinking WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL IS GOING ON JIM!!!!!
celophysis5454545 3 years ago 8
infection = I don't like things crawling on me!
djmastervolume 3 years ago
lmao. the caterpillar was like oh no you didn't mutha fuckaa!
Iamcompassion 3 years ago 6
Makes you think "truth is stranger than fiction". Really amazing stuff.
phr0ggy 3 years ago
That is...insane!
Jacoby87 3 years ago 3