Jul 19, 2012
Parasitic worm influences host to drown itself so it can slither out into water
Gordian worms (or, Horsehair worms) are parasitic creatures that are only 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter but 50 to 100 centimeters in length. Fully grown, they live on their own, but they mature from larvae to adulthood in hosts such as beetles, cockroaches, and grasshoppers.
One kind of Gordian worm, the Spinochordodes tellinii, when it is ready to depart its host, releases an infection to the insect’s brain that motivates it to jump into water where it will most likely drown. Then the now-grown parasite eases its way out…
…and lives out its happy life as a free-wheeling water-worm. Yeah, Nature!
(via Ever So Strange)
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That’s the most disturbing thing I have seen all day :S
I know. I was horrified but I couldn’t look away.
Parasitic worm aka Australain politician.
Probably the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen.
That cutesy music isn’t fooling anyone. UGH!
You know those times when the music fits the video perfectly? This was not one of them.
I don’t know which was my favorite part of the video: the music, or the glove that we see being used.
So often we think of the parasites that can invade us. I guess those pesky little insects have it pretty bad, too!
…and now I have to poop…
Gross