Body Invaders | National Geographic

Summary

The video script narrates the parasitic relationship between a glomerata wasp larva and its caterpillar host. The caterpillar, heavily parasitized and appearing obese, serves as a nourishing womb for the growing larvae. As the larvae mature, they use their saw-like teeth to cut through the caterpillar's skin, paralyzing it with chemicals. The caterpillar, under the influence of a wasp virus, bizarrely aids in cocoon protection, becoming a guardian until it starves to death, highlighting an extraordinary and tragic symbiosis.

Takeaways

• 🐛 The parasitized caterpillar has been consuming a lot, becoming profoundly obese due to the presence of Glomerata wasp larvae inside it.
• 🐛🐛 The wasp larvae are the size of rice grains and collectively make up over a third of the caterpillar's weight, yet they are careful not to damage the caterpillar's vital organs.
• 🕰️ The parasitic relationship lasts for about 12 days, during which the larvae grow inside the caterpillar without killing it, as they need a living host.
• 🔪 When the larvae are fully mature, they develop saw-like teeth to cut their way out of the caterpillar's tough skin.
• 💉 The larvae release chemicals that paralyze the caterpillar as they make their escape, rendering it helpless.
• 🕊️ Once free, the larvae enter a new phase of development and spin silken cocoons for their final transformation.
• ⚔️ The cocoons are vulnerable to other parasitic wasps, but the caterpillar, despite being wounded, provides an extra layer of protection by spinning its silken blanket over the wasp cocoons.
• 🧬 The caterpillar's behavior is believed to be altered by a wasp virus that has invaded its brain, causing it to act against its natural instincts.
• 🛡️ The caterpillar turns into a bodyguard for the wasp cocoons, actively protecting them from other parasites until it eventually starves to death.
• 🌱 The caterpillar's aggression is exploited by the wasp virus, which has a dual effect of protecting the cocoons while also leading to the caterpillar's demise.
• 🔄 This cycle of parasitism and manipulation is a fascinating example of the complex relationships that can exist in nature between different species.

Q & A

What has the parasitized caterpillar been doing for the last 12 days?

The parasitized caterpillar has been gorging itself, appearing profoundly obese due to the Glomerata wasp larvae growing inside it.

What is the size and weight proportion of the Glomerata wasp larvae inside the caterpillar?

Each larva is the size of a grain of rice, and together they account for over a third of the caterpillar's weight.

Why do the wasp larvae not harm the caterpillar's vital organs?

The larvae need to keep their host alive as they continue to grow, so they carefully avoid touching any vital organs.

What happens when the wasp larvae are fully matured inside the caterpillar?

The mature larvae begin to stir into action, signaling the end of the truce with the host and the start of their breakout from the caterpillar.

How do the wasp larvae manage to break through the caterpillar's thick skin?

The larvae have developed tiny saw-like teeth that allow them to cut their way out of the caterpillar's skin.

What do the wasp larvae release while breaking through the caterpillar's skin?

The larvae release chemicals that paralyze the caterpillar, preventing it from reacting to their escape.

What is the next phase of development for the wasp larvae after breaking free?

The larvae enter a new phase of development by swiftly spinning silken cocoons for their final transformation.

What is one of the greatest dangers the wasp larvae face after spinning their cocoons?

One of the greatest dangers is being impregnated by other species of parasitic wasps.

Why does the parasitized caterpillar spin a silken blanket on top of the wasp cocoons?

The caterpillar, possibly influenced by the wasp virus, provides an extra layer of protection for the wasp cocoons.

How is the caterpillar's behavior affected by the wasp virus?

The wasp virus has invaded the caterpillar's brain, causing it to act abnormally, such as spinning a protective blanket for the wasp cocoons and becoming a bodyguard for them.

What is the ultimate fate of the parasitized caterpillar?

The caterpillar will continue to protect the wasp cocoons until it eventually starves to death.