This is not the most informative video in this class, but it may be the coolest!!!

In this fascinating, hilarious and ever-so-slightly creepy talk, science writer Ed Yong tells the story of his favorite parasites — animals and organisms that live on the bodies (and brains!) of other organisms, causing them to do their bidding. Do humans have them too? Maybe …

https://www.ted.com/talks/ed_yong_suicidal_wasps_zombie_roaches_and_other_tales_of_parasites (Links to an external site.)

And here is a video that shows the “zombification” of a cockroach in glorious detail. You do not need to watch this one, but you will regret it if you don’t 🙂

Emerald Cockroach Wasp turns a cockroach into a zombie

Beautiful wasp zombifies cockroach (Links to an external site.)

Here are some thoughts and questions to stimulate quality conversation with your peers:

What did you learn? Were you surprised? Do you now have a better appreciation for the power of these tiny “critters”? How will it change the way that you live your life? Will it have any effect on the way you see the human body or live your life? Will it change whether or not you clean up kitty litter? J

Does it surprise you that there are organisms that can alter the behavior of other species? Does this change your thoughts about the cause of behavior in general? What is the most amazing relationship that 2 species have with one another in your opinion?