1. My favorite parasitism example Ed Yong spoke about was the Ampulex compressa, or the emerald cockroach wasp. The wasp ability and understanding of how to blindly seek particular sections of the brain using only it’s stinger is simply fascinating. Not only does the wasp find the particular sections needed, it then implants venom into specific clusters of neurons. The ability to implant a particular part of the body into another organism and manipulate that organism, all without being able to see inside, simply amazes me. Resulting from implanting venom into the cockroach, the motivation to escape the wasp is basically shut off. Not only does the cockroach relax it’s fear of the wasp, but the wasp can then persuade the cockroach to follow
