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Zombie caterpillar guarding wasp cocoon

Zombie caterpillar guarding wasp cocoon

C052/4624

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50.9 MB (7.1 MB compressed)

5166 x 3444 pixels

43.7 x 29.2 cm ⏐ 17.2 x 11.5 in (300dpi)

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Credit

MELVYN YEO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY MELVYN YEO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption

Zombie caterpillar guarding wasp cocoon. Wasp larvae secrete a chemical that turns their host caterpillar into a bodyguard for the cocoons, protecting them from harm. The chemical is believed to enhance the caterpillar’s aggression, so that it attacks anything that comes near. The caterpillar will watch over the cocoons until it starves to death.

Release details

Model release not required. Property release not required.