Wasp Forces Zombie Spider Slave to Construct Web for Parasitic Pupae

Wasps can turn spiders into zombies. Scientists have discovered a species of wasp that can take control of a spider's nervous system and cause it to build a tough "cocoon" web to protect developing wasp pupae.

In order to learn a bit more about the effects that these parasitic wasps, Reclinervellus nielseni, have on their victims, the researchers collected spiders complete with their webs and parasitic larvae. However, keeping the spiders alive in the lab before a "zombie" state was triggered was a challenge. Some refused to build webs in captivity, and the researchers occasionally accidentally destroyed the delicate structures when inadvertently snagging supporting frame threads.

The researchers analyzed the cocoon webs and found that they were startling similar to resting webs, complete with fluffy decorative structures. The spiders also always constructed the new web on the site of an old orb web. Once the web was complete, the wasp larva directed the spider to return to the hub of the web before killing it.

Because of the similarities to the resting web, the researchers believe that the spiders are triggered by the same hormones that control moulting. In fact, the scientists believe that the larva may inject a substance similar to a moulting hormone into the spider during the later stages of its stay.

The findings reveal a bit more about this wasp and show how it can control a host spider into providing a safe location for its young.

The findings are published in The Journal of Experimental Biology.

Related Stories

Spiders Learn Mating Behaviors by Eavesdropping on Other Wolf Spiders

Males are Home-Wreckers: Black Widow Spiders Eat Females' Webs

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).