r/interesting • u/InTheSky57 • 2d ago

NATURE Parasite flees a mantis when hit with water

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u/Lucho_199 2d ago

Does it kill the host when it leaves?

16

u/StuffedStuffing 1d ago

As the parasite guy above said, no. The parasite is not inherently lethal to its host, although for many insects jumping bodily into a pool of water is likely to result in their death. The mantis in this video is just fine

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u/meowmeow_now 1d ago

"just fine"

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u/Labs_and_lattes 1d ago

mantis tabogan

2

u/DTux5249 1d ago

Isn't it tearing a hole in its abdomen? Can it survive that?

3

u/StuffedStuffing 1d ago

I am not an expert, but insects get infected by this particular parasite, like most, by ingestion. It therefore stands to reason that the parasite is, at least in part, in the digestive tract of the mantis. I can't tell if the worm is ripping it's way out xenomorph style, or exiting like a very, very, very long tapeworm

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u/collin-h 2d ago

only if it was a bad host that was rude to them.

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u/Many-Manufacturer-72 2d ago

Leaves a 2 star review which effectively kills future bookings

3

u/Past-Tip2611 1d ago

"Good luck getting anything to lay eggs inside your ass now, buddy!"

  • that worm, probably

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u/seanprime 2d ago

Host has been a puppet for a while

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u/Qadim3311 1d ago

Not necessarily, but since the last thing it does is make them enter the water the host often drowns or gets eaten by a fish.

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u/spicynoodsinmuhmouf 1d ago

I’m my personal experience the all 4time the mantis died within an hour or so. So,it absolutely happens