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

NATURE Parasite flees a mantis when hit with water

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u/imminentjogger5 Aug 04 '26

so is the mantis alive? because that thing is like 80% of its body 

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u/cdqmcp Aug 04 '26

only alive enough to get the worm to a water source

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u/supified Aug 04 '26

Not for long no, but also yes. It's moving because enough of its body function works. Also the worm isn't capable of remote piloting it, like I said all they can do is change the directive of the mantis but they still rely entirely on the mantis to maintain it entire motor function, senses and ability to navigate. The worm is effectively receiving no feedback from the mantis, it's just waiting to sense that the mantis is in water to leave.

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u/Christoleo92 Aug 04 '26

It's dead, Jim.