• Wasps just got scarier: New species discovered in 2014 has venom that turns roaches into 'zombies',
    60 replies, posted
[quote]Add this to my nightmare list: A creature that turns prey into a zombie, then eats it alive. That's pretty much the M.O. of Ampulex dementor, a wasp named after the mythical "Harry Potter" creatures that suck souls with abandon. Dementor wasps inject venom into cockroach prey, right in the belly, rendering it a "passive zombie," according to a new report from the World Wildlife Fund. The report details 139 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region during 2014. "Cockroach wasp venom blocks receptors of the neurotransmitter octopamine, which is involved in the initiation of spontaneous movement," according to the report. "With this blocked, the cockroach is still capable of movement, but is unable to direct its own body. Once the cockroach has lost control, the wasp drags its stupefied prey by the antennae to a safe shelter to devour it."[/quote] [url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/05/27/say-hello-to-the-dementor-wasp-it-turns-cockroaches-into-zombies/[/url] Well fuck off, nature
SURE BECAUSE THESE FUCKERS WEREN'T BIG ENOUGH ASSHOLES TO BEGIN WITH god fucking dammit. Nature's scary as SHIT.
Damn nature, you scary
What I'm curious about is if their venom could potentially be synthesised in a lab environment, and what purpose such a chemical could be used for, other than poison darts.
It's like every species that dies off a new more terrifying species comes up.
[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;47831812]What I'm curious about is if their venom could potentially be synthesised in a lab environment, and what purpose such a chemical could be used for, other than poison darts.[/QUOTE] Well, if it inhibits spontaneous movement (and assuming the same chemistry would work in humans, which is a big assumption I'll admit) could relieve shaking symptoms? Like Parkinson's, I think that causes shaking?
'dementor wasps' sounds evil as hell
Because we're totally short on reasons to hate wasps as it is...
That's fucking cool.
[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;47831812]What I'm curious about is if their venom could potentially be synthesised in a lab environment, and what purpose such a chemical could be used for, other than poison darts.[/QUOTE] Judging by its qualities it doesn't seem like a straight-up nerve-damaging neurotoxin, as it blocks the neurotransmitters responsible for spontaneous movement so that creatures are unable to move but are apparently able to be lead around. So in theory it could act as a "tranquilliser" of sorts without knocking people out. Whether it should be used in the first place is another matter entirely.
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47831829]Well, if it inhibits spontaneous movement (and assuming the same chemistry would work in humans, which is a big assumption I'll admit) could relieve shaking symptoms? Like Parkinson's, I think that causes shaking?[/QUOTE] One of the symptoms of Parkinson's is tremors and shaking
[QUOTE=ironman17;47831866]Judging by its qualities it doesn't seem like a straight-up nerve-damaging neurotoxin, as it blocks the neurotransmitters responsible for spontaneous movement so that creatures are unable to move but are apparently able to be lead around. So in theory it could act as a "tranquilliser" of sorts without knocking people out. Whether it should be used in the first place is another matter entirely.[/QUOTE] There's already a drug that does this though and (of course) it's always used maliciously because there's no other real use for it. Basically it's like laughing gas but it's a solid that you can slip into someone's drink and they basically become unconscious but they follow orders. There was a VICE documentary on it somewhere.
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47831829]Well, if it inhibits spontaneous movement (and assuming the same chemistry would work in humans, which is a big assumption I'll admit) could relieve shaking symptoms? Like Parkinson's, I think that causes shaking?[/QUOTE] It would be nice to gain something good from a creature so malicious.
Watch as someone decides to introduce the species to Australia.
Tarantula Hawk/Wasp is still scarier.
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47831829]Well, if it inhibits spontaneous movement (and assuming the same chemistry would work in humans, which is a big assumption I'll admit) could relieve shaking symptoms? Like Parkinson's, I think that causes shaking?[/QUOTE] nope wikipedia says octopamine is used in insects to make stuff like jumping more efficient, the only function they found in mammals is basically releasing fat from fat cells. but there hasn't been a lot of research on that
Asian jade wasps already did this?
imagine getting shot with a dart and having a collar put on you while you walk, paralyzed, into the den of a creature you know is going to eat you alive and being unable to walk away, scream, or anything. This is absolutely horrifying holy shit.
Doesn't sound that scary. I mean, I'm no biologist or anything, but it doesn't looks all that dangerous to us as a single stinger. This changes if you were to get attacked by multiple wasps though, I guess... I never understood the hate for wasps though. I've had a few buzzing around me every now and then and I just shoo them and they go away. Generaly, as long as you don't go into their hive nor clearly go after a bunch of them, you should be fine. Not to mention they also feed on a few pests. If theres a bug you should really hate, its the mosquito.
[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;47831812]What I'm curious about is if their venom could potentially be synthesised in a lab environment, and what purpose such a chemical could be used for, other than poison darts.[/QUOTE] I was imagining something like the berserk darts from AC2. Doubt that's feasible, but holy fuck that's some scary shit.
Just the way they attack their prey sounds demented. Pls don't kill me, soon to be wasp overlords.
zombie means it's reanimated from the dead you fucking journalism majors eat a DICK
[QUOTE=gbtygfvyg;47831916]There's already a drug that does this though and (of course) it's always used maliciously because there's no other real use for it. Basically it's like laughing gas but it's a solid that you can slip into someone's drink and they basically become unconscious but they follow orders. There was a VICE documentary on it somewhere.[/QUOTE] For those wondering, scopolamine. [video=youtube;ToQ8PWYnu04]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQ8PWYnu04[/video]
[QUOTE=Nebukadnezzer;47832312]imagine getting shot with a dart and having a collar put on you while you walk, paralyzed, into the den of a creature you know is going to eat you alive and being unable to walk away, scream, or anything. This is absolutely horrifying holy shit.[/QUOTE] why is this rated funny I just realized that this is probably a massive turn on to somebody, somewhere
Chryssalids are even more plausible now.
Nature is so fascinating...
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;47832532]zombie means it's reanimated from the dead you fucking journalism majors eat a DICK[/QUOTE] It's an oxymoron. If they turn their prey into a zombie, then how do they eat them alive!?!?!?!?
[QUOTE=Perl;47832608]For those wondering, scopolamine. [video=youtube;ToQ8PWYnu04]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQ8PWYnu04[/video][/QUOTE] That's one of the main alkaloids in datura as well I believe.
They also found several other species in the same general area, like this bat with extra long fangs: [img_thumb]https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/Wires/Images/2015-05-27/Getty/Hkg10182692.jpg[/img_thumb] This is a cheeky fucking bat.
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47831829]Well, if it inhibits spontaneous movement (and assuming the same chemistry would work in humans, which is a big assumption I'll admit) could relieve shaking symptoms? Like Parkinson's, I think that causes shaking?[/QUOTE] That's caused by degradation of the myelin sheath in the brain which causes Parkinson's. Wouldn't help unfortunately.
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