An insect analogue to the governments of Europe that protect the Muslims in Europe from criticism

A reader sends, under the heading, “Muslims in Europe,” the following account from Science Daily of an insect parasitoid that enters the body of a caterpillar, inserts its eggs into it, and then makes the caterpillar defend the parasitoid pupae after they have hatched and exited from the body of the host. But it could just as easily been labeled, “How does the Darwinian theory of evolution (plausibly) explain this?”

Inside the caterpillar host, a cruel drama takes place: the eggs of the parasitoid hatch and the larvae feed on the body fluids of the host. The caterpillar continues feeding, moving and growing like its unparasitized brothers and sisters. When the parasitoid larvae are full-grown, they emerge together through the host’s skin, and start pupating nearby. Unlike many other combinations of host and parasitoid, the host remains alive but displays spectacular changes in its behaviour: it stops feeding and remains close to the parasitoid pupae. Moreover, it defends the parasitoid pupae against approaching predators with violent head-swings.

The caterpillar dies soon after the adult parasitoids emerge from their pupae, so there can be no benefit whatsoever for the caterpillars. .. [P]arasitoid pupae which were guarded by caterpillars suffered half as much predation as those which had no bodyguard. Hence, the behavioural changes of the host result in increased survival of the parasitoids due to the host that acts as a bodyguard of the parasitoid pupae.

Whereas it is still unclear how the parasitoid changes the behaviour of its host, it is tempting to speculate. The research team found that one or two parasitoid larvae remained behind in the host. Perhaps these larvae affect the behaviour of the caterpillar, and sacrifice themselves for the good of their brothers and sisters.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at June 10, 2008 10:01 AM | Send