Parasitism is the relationship between a parasite and it’s host, whether it is simply parasitic, or mutualistic. The podcasts main goal was to try and determine whether parasites are good or evil, presenting cases for both. First, the example of the wasps that are parasites to cockroaches was given. In this relationship, the wasp paralyzes the roach by stinging it. Then it stings the roach again in its head, turning into a puppet-like object. Following the two stings, the wasp guides the roach into its burrow, and proceeds to lay eggs inside the roach. The wasps’ larvae grow inside the roach, and then when they mature they claw their way out killing the roach in the process. A case can be made from this example that parasites are evil. Second,
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There are three types of lice that can inhabit a human: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice (Hellolife, 2014). Human hair is a necessity for lice, which is normally where they are found. Specifically in the scalp, which provides necessary shelter, food, and reproductive environment for the lice. The hair keeps the temperature consistent and warm, making it a good place for nits to be laid (Hellolife, 2014). Nits are the white to gray eggs of lice that are glued firmly to the base of the hairs (Bohart Museum of Entomology, 2012). Lice are characteristic of having flat bodies and being wingless. Their legs are adapted for crawling through hair or on clothing, not jumping which is widely believed. Lice are blood-feeding ectoparasites in all stages of life. Lice bites cause intense itching in areas where they feed resulting in pink papules or pus boils. Large infestations can lead to crusty looking rashes with numerous black spots. The black spots are blood filled fecal pellets. Lice are known to transmit epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. They also can cause epidemic relapsing fever, caused by Borrelia recurrentis. Lice are easy to recognize. The symptoms are experiencing persistent itching and redness, particularly on the scalp, back of head, or pubic region or noticing white nits at the ends of hair (Bohart Museum of Entomology, 2012). There are many different over-the-counter treatments that contain pyrethrin …show more content…
Phorid flies “land on the mandible that anchors the ants head during the cutting process, and lays its eggs inside the ant’s mouth” (Branganca, Tohnasca, Lucia, 2003). Phorids are found to only attack the right side of an ant. In a study conducted by Tohnasca, Braganca, and Erthal, it was found attacked ants appeared stunned and remained still for 3-5 minutes after being attacked. While immobile, 15-25 ants surrounded and touched the attacked ant successively with antennae and mouthparts. These attacked ants were found dead in the nests refuse pile with their heads detached from their bodies. Mandibles and antennae were missing form their heads, and the puparium could be seen in the back of the head through the mouth. The attacks on ants were found to be restricted to specific host sizes, ants performing different tasks, certain body parts of the ants, and at certain times of the day (Branganca, Tohnasca, Lucia, 2003). The ants in response to the attacks changed the size of their foragers during the day to be smaller than the specified size. Then the larger foragers would gather leaves at night, when the flies are not preying on them (Oor, 1992). Phorid flies kill leaf-cutter ants when they use them as host for their eggs, making them an evil parasite according to the
There are three types of lice that can inhabit a human: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice (Hellolife, 2014). Human hair is a necessity for lice, which is normally where they are found. Specifically in the scalp, which provides necessary shelter, food, and reproductive environment for the lice. The hair keeps the temperature consistent and warm, making it a good place for nits to be laid (Hellolife, 2014). Nits are the white to gray eggs of lice that are glued firmly to the base of the hairs (Bohart Museum of Entomology, 2012). Lice are characteristic of having flat bodies and being wingless. Their legs are adapted for crawling through hair or on clothing, not jumping which is widely believed. Lice are blood-feeding ectoparasites in all stages of life. Lice bites cause intense itching in areas where they feed resulting in pink papules or pus boils. Large infestations can lead to crusty looking rashes with numerous black spots. The black spots are blood filled fecal pellets. Lice are known to transmit epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. They also can cause epidemic relapsing fever, caused by Borrelia recurrentis. Lice are easy to recognize. The symptoms are experiencing persistent itching and redness, particularly on the scalp, back of head, or pubic region or noticing white nits at the ends of hair (Bohart Museum of Entomology, 2012). There are many different over-the-counter treatments that contain pyrethrin …show more content…
Phorid flies “land on the mandible that anchors the ants head during the cutting process, and lays its eggs inside the ant’s mouth” (Branganca, Tohnasca, Lucia, 2003). Phorids are found to only attack the right side of an ant. In a study conducted by Tohnasca, Braganca, and Erthal, it was found attacked ants appeared stunned and remained still for 3-5 minutes after being attacked. While immobile, 15-25 ants surrounded and touched the attacked ant successively with antennae and mouthparts. These attacked ants were found dead in the nests refuse pile with their heads detached from their bodies. Mandibles and antennae were missing form their heads, and the puparium could be seen in the back of the head through the mouth. The attacks on ants were found to be restricted to specific host sizes, ants performing different tasks, certain body parts of the ants, and at certain times of the day (Branganca, Tohnasca, Lucia, 2003). The ants in response to the attacks changed the size of their foragers during the day to be smaller than the specified size. Then the larger foragers would gather leaves at night, when the flies are not preying on them (Oor, 1992). Phorid flies kill leaf-cutter ants when they use them as host for their eggs, making them an evil parasite according to the