r/interesting • u/InTheSky57 • Aug 04 '26

NATURE Parasite flees a mantis when hit with water

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29

u/alittleredportleft Aug 04 '26

How did they even know it was in there?

54

u/p4nd3mic_G3 Aug 04 '26

Because it doesn't act like a normal mantis. The parasite controls it and searches for water so it can continue its life cycle. That's why it come out from the water it thought it succeeded.

12

u/alittleredportleft Aug 04 '26

Damn that's wild. Thanks.

3

u/shrekk772 Aug 04 '26

Why does the worm need water?? Why does the worm itself not go into water why does it  need the mantis for that

5

u/p4nd3mic_G3 Aug 04 '26

Because the mantis drinks the water with parasitic larva in it. The larva eats the mantis from the inside, and then "steers" it back to the water so that it can go lay eggs completing the cycle. The worm has to stay wet the mantis is what does that.

1

u/Opening_Molasses_932 Aug 04 '26

Because it's very slow and vulnerable on land.
Much quicker in water.

3

u/SimpleJack316 Aug 04 '26

There’s an app that alerts and vibrates on your phone whenever you’re within 7 yards of one.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '26

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