Strange species of 'spider soul catch' in the Amazon jungle

Beyond the famous "assassins" in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador, such as the tiger fish () or the giant python (), a biological research group has confirmed the most feared animal here is the scoundrel New births are discovered with the ability to 'catch souls' of the host spider.

A reporter in Latin America led a new study published by a group of zoologists from the University of Colombia in the UK (UBC) said, unlike other species of spiders that often kill spiders and bring them to the ground to make food. The oyster larvae (also in Vietnam), this international species of Hymenoptera Zatypota can 'catch' spiders that they parasite on and turn these animals into ' ' zombie ' .

Under the protection of the cocoon created by spiders, the larvae feed on the dead spider and continue to grow.

Scientists tracked the relationship of the owner of the Zatypota with the spider 'community' Anelosimus eximius .

Specifically, initially a female will lay eggs on the abdomen of a spider, the larvae will grow bigger and stronger by eating hemolymph (clear liquid that functions like blood in species Burning legs) of spiders. After a gradual process of host spider behavior, the larval larvae can finally control the spider's decisions, causing them to leave the flock, knit their necks for a particular type of cocoon and 'wait' for death. gradually become pure food of the curry.

Under the protection of the cocoon created by spiders, the larvae feed on the dead spider and continue to grow, after 9-11 days, they break the cocoon when it becomes a complete arch, Find the spider yourself, then pair the mating and repeat this frightening cycle.

Answering Vice magazine (Ecuador), the co-author of this study Samantha Strauss identified a parasite that spawns eggs into hosts and then turns them into food for their children that is quite common in the world. animals, but the ability to transform Zatypota's host behavior is unique.

Strauss said: 'The behavioral change here is very serious. The bird completely controls the behavior and brain of the spider and makes them do things that go against their habits and instincts, like leaving the nest and knitting in an unusual way to create cocoons. "

The team thinks that the Zatypota does this by injecting a hormone into the spider, and also observes that they tend to attack larger flocks of spiders.

Strauss expressed her intention to return to Ecuador to continue to study whether Zatypota tends to return to attack the same flock from one generation to another, and if so, the advantages evolve. Which could happen.