parasites are not degenerates there actually may be the most successful
actually may be the most successful
actually may be the most successful life-form on earth
and they do all sorts of amazing things
and they do all sorts of amazing things they were using their hosts for all
they were using their hosts for all
they were using their hosts for all sorts of nefarious purposes to get what
sorts of nefarious purposes to get what
sorts of nefarious purposes to get what they needed if you see a ladybug huddled
they needed if you see a ladybug huddled
they needed if you see a ladybug huddled over some little bit of fluff you’re
over some little bit of fluff you’re
over some little bit of fluff you’re looking at a zombie bodyguard so
looking at a zombie bodyguard so
looking at a zombie bodyguard so originally when they were organizing
originally when they were organizing
originally when they were organizing this talk they’d we’re trying to
this talk they’d we’re trying to
this talk they’d we’re trying to convince us to dress up and I wasn’t
convince us to dress up and I wasn’t
convince us to dress up and I wasn’t quite willing to do that but I did bring
quite willing to do that but I did bring
quite willing to do that but I did bring my favorite t-shirt so if you can’t tell
my favorite t-shirt so if you can’t tell
my favorite t-shirt so if you can’t tell that’s a schistosomiasis creatures was
that’s a schistosomiasis creatures was
that’s a schistosomiasis creatures was to get past this visceral aversion we
to get past this visceral aversion we
to get past this visceral aversion we all have towards parasites and try to
all have towards parasites and try to
all have towards parasites and try to show how amazing these creatures really
show how amazing these creatures really
show how amazing these creatures really are so if I’m gonna try to convince you
are so if I’m gonna try to convince you
are so if I’m gonna try to convince you that parasites are cool I’m gonna start
that parasites are cool I’m gonna start
that parasites are cool I’m gonna start with the star of the show so this is a
with the star of the show so this is a
with the star of the show so this is a ladybug standing guard over the cocoon
ladybug standing guard over the cocoon
ladybug standing guard over the cocoon of a wasp and the way this works is that
of a wasp and the way this works is that
of a wasp and the way this works is that wasp lays an egg it injects an egg into
wasp lays an egg it injects an egg into
wasp lays an egg it injects an egg into that ladybug and the egg hatches and it
that ladybug and the egg hatches and it
that ladybug and the egg hatches and it grows inside the ladybug and the larval
grows inside the ladybug and the larval
grows inside the ladybug and the larval wasp inside actually knows to avoid the
wasp inside actually knows to avoid the
wasp inside actually knows to avoid the vital organs of that ladybug because if
vital organs of that ladybug because if
vital organs of that ladybug because if it chews on those vital organs it’ll
it chews on those vital organs it’ll
it chews on those vital organs it’ll kill the ladybug and it will die too so
kill the ladybug and it will die too so
kill the ladybug and it will die too so it avoids the vital organs and when it’s
it avoids the vital organs and when it’s
it avoids the vital organs and when it’s ready to come out it pushes its way out
ready to come out it pushes its way out
ready to come out it pushes its way out of the abdomen of that ladybug and it
of the abdomen of that ladybug and it
of the abdomen of that ladybug and it spins its cocoon and the problem is this
spins its cocoon and the problem is this
spins its cocoon and the problem is this cocoon is a very vulnerable stage in the
cocoon is a very vulnerable stage in the
cocoon is a very vulnerable stage in the lifecycle of this wasp it’s just sitting
lifecycle of this wasp it’s just sitting
lifecycle of this wasp it’s just sitting there in mobile ready to be eaten by any
there in mobile ready to be eaten by any
there in mobile ready to be eaten by any predator that walks by so that’s why
predator that walks by so that’s why
predator that walks by so that’s why it’s gotten this ladybug to stand guard
it’s gotten this ladybug to stand guard
it’s gotten this ladybug to stand guard over it and the amazing thing is this
over it and the amazing thing is this
over it and the amazing thing is this ladybug will sit there
ladybug will sit there
ladybug will sit there twitching for days over this this wasp
twitching for days over this this wasp
twitching for days over this this wasp and if it’s able to survive
and if it’s able to survive
and if it’s able to survive the seven days that the wasp takes to
the seven days that the wasp takes to
the seven days that the wasp takes to develop into an adult the ladybug can
develop into an adult the ladybug can
develop into an adult the ladybug can actually recover the mind control can
actually recover the mind control can
actually recover the mind control can wear off and that ladybug can go to
wear off and that ladybug can go to
wear off and that ladybug can go to regrow its internal organs and go on to
regrow its internal organs and go on to
regrow its internal organs and go on to reproduce this is the wasp that’s
reproduce this is the wasp that’s
reproduce this is the wasp that’s responsible for that this is Dinah
responsible for that this is Dinah
responsible for that this is Dinah campus coccynelle II it’s she’s barely a
campus coccynelle II it’s she’s barely a
campus coccynelle II it’s she’s barely a centimeter long and I can tell she’s a
centimeter long and I can tell she’s a
centimeter long and I can tell she’s a female both because she’s got this
female both because she’s got this
female both because she’s got this ovipositor at the end stinger that she
ovipositor at the end stinger that she
ovipositor at the end stinger that she uses to inject the eggs and also because
uses to inject the eggs and also because
uses to inject the eggs and also because this species is parthenogenetic which
this species is parthenogenetic which
this species is parthenogenetic which means it does not need to fertilize its
means it does not need to fertilize its
means it does not need to fertilize its eggs to reproduce it can clone itself
eggs to reproduce it can clone itself
eggs to reproduce it can clone itself and so it injects an egg into the
and so it injects an egg into the
and so it injects an egg into the ladybug it does not need to be
ladybug it does not need to be
ladybug it does not need to be fertilized and all of those eggs will
fertilized and all of those eggs will
fertilized and all of those eggs will develop to be more females the entire
develop to be more females the entire
develop to be more females the entire species is female actually there’s been
species is female actually there’s been
species is female actually there’s been four or five males that have been
four or five males that have been
four or five males that have been identified over the course of studying
identified over the course of studying
identified over the course of studying this creature and frankly I don’t really
this creature and frankly I don’t really
this creature and frankly I don’t really know how that works
know how that works
know how that works I don’t know how parthenogenesis works
I don’t know how parthenogenesis works
I don’t know how parthenogenesis works it’s crazy and it’ll have to be the
it’s crazy and it’ll have to be the
it’s crazy and it’ll have to be the topic of another discussion now ladybugs
topic of another discussion now ladybugs
topic of another discussion now ladybugs are not the only ones that get turned
are not the only ones that get turned
are not the only ones that get turned into bodyguards there’s another wasp in
into bodyguards there’s another wasp in
into bodyguards there’s another wasp in this family Briona d that infects
this family Briona d that infects
this family Briona d that infects caterpillars and in this case it injects
caterpillars and in this case it injects
caterpillars and in this case it injects several dozen eggs at the same time and
several dozen eggs at the same time and
several dozen eggs at the same time and those eggs hatch inside the caterpillar
those eggs hatch inside the caterpillar
those eggs hatch inside the caterpillar and just like with the ladybug they know
and just like with the ladybug they know
and just like with the ladybug they know to avoid the internal organs of the
to avoid the internal organs of the
to avoid the internal organs of the caterpillar and just like the ladybug
caterpillar and just like the ladybug
caterpillar and just like the ladybug they have a virus that helps them it’s a
they have a virus that helps them it’s a
they have a virus that helps them it’s a different kind of virus but in this case
different kind of virus but in this case
different kind of virus but in this case the virus tricks the immune system of
the virus tricks the immune system of
the virus tricks the immune system of the caterpillar to protect to hide these
the caterpillar to protect to hide these
the caterpillar to protect to hide these invaders and the virus actually changes
invaders and the virus actually changes
invaders and the virus actually changes the metabolism of the caterpillar so
the metabolism of the caterpillar so
the metabolism of the caterpillar so that it gorges itself and it prevents
that it gorges itself and it prevents
that it gorges itself and it prevents the caterpillar from transforming into
the caterpillar from transforming into
the caterpillar from transforming into an adult so the virus turns the
an adult so the virus turns the
an adult so the virus turns the caterpillar into a feeding machine for
caterpillar into a feeding machine for
caterpillar into a feeding machine for these wasp larvae so this is a video of
these wasp larvae so this is a video of
these wasp larvae so this is a video of this process it starts with the adult
this process it starts with the adult
this process it starts with the adult wasp stinging and injecting those egg
wasp stinging and injecting those egg
wasp stinging and injecting those egg into a newly hatched caterpillar those
into a newly hatched caterpillar those
into a newly hatched caterpillar those caterpillars then go about their normal
caterpillars then go about their normal
caterpillars then go about their normal life for the next week feeding and
life for the next week feeding and
life for the next week feeding and growing and waiting for those wasp
growing and waiting for those wasp
growing and waiting for those wasp larvae to emerge and when they’re ready
larvae to emerge and when they’re ready
larvae to emerge and when they’re ready they chew their way through the skin of
they chew their way through the skin of
they chew their way through the skin of the caterpillar and they come out by the
the caterpillar and they come out by the
the caterpillar and they come out by the dozens
so they actually spin their cocoons as
so they actually spin their cocoons as they’re emerging from the caterpillar
the amazing thing about this process is
the amazing thing about this process is that the caterpillar survives it wakes
that the caterpillar survives it wakes
that the caterpillar survives it wakes up it crawls on top of that pile of
up it crawls on top of that pile of
up it crawls on top of that pile of cocoons and it spins that additional
cocoons and it spins that additional
cocoons and it spins that additional layer of protective silk and the reason
layer of protective silk and the reason
layer of protective silk and the reason for this though in the entire purpose of
for this though in the entire purpose of
for this though in the entire purpose of this protection is to prevent this this
this protection is to prevent this this
this protection is to prevent this this is a hyper parasitoid wasp injecting its
is a hyper parasitoid wasp injecting its
is a hyper parasitoid wasp injecting its egg into the parasitic wasp that just
egg into the parasitic wasp that just
egg into the parasitic wasp that just emerged from the caterpillar so an
emerged from the caterpillar so an
emerged from the caterpillar so an additional layer of parasitism above the
additional layer of parasitism above the
additional layer of parasitism above the mind-controlling one it’s pretty cool
mind-controlling one it’s pretty cool
mind-controlling one it’s pretty cool so this theme of trying to protect the
so this theme of trying to protect the
so this theme of trying to protect the that delicate larval stage that that few
that delicate larval stage that that few
that delicate larval stage that that few patient that’s a common theme and
patient that’s a common theme and
patient that’s a common theme and there’s actually another wasp in a
there’s actually another wasp in a
there’s actually another wasp in a different group that uses a different
different group that uses a different
different group that uses a different approach than the bodyguard style what
approach than the bodyguard style what
approach than the bodyguard style what it does is it catches a spider and it
it does is it catches a spider and it
it does is it catches a spider and it lays an egg on its back so this is a
lays an egg on its back so this is a
lays an egg on its back so this is a spider that lives in the palm
spider that lives in the palm
spider that lives in the palm plantations of Costa Rica and it’s got a
plantations of Costa Rica and it’s got a
plantations of Costa Rica and it’s got a wasp larva hanging on its back this is
wasp larva hanging on its back this is
wasp larva hanging on its back this is one that’s hatched out and it’s feeding
one that’s hatched out and it’s feeding
one that’s hatched out and it’s feeding on the hemolymph the blood of that
on the hemolymph the blood of that
on the hemolymph the blood of that spider and what it does when it’s ready
spider and what it does when it’s ready
spider and what it does when it’s ready to pupate instead of turning that spider
to pupate instead of turning that spider
to pupate instead of turning that spider into a bodyguard it gets the spider to
into a bodyguard it gets the spider to
into a bodyguard it gets the spider to build a special kind of web and so
build a special kind of web and so
build a special kind of web and so normally webs are designed to catch
normally webs are designed to catch
normally webs are designed to catch insects this web is designed to support
insects this web is designed to support
insects this web is designed to support the weight of the cocoon
the weight of the cocoon
the weight of the cocoon and so the wasp larva waits until the
and so the wasp larva waits until the
and so the wasp larva waits until the spiders done building this web it then
spiders done building this web it then
spiders done building this web it then kills it and then hangs its cocoon
kills it and then hangs its cocoon
kills it and then hangs its cocoon safely off the floor of the forest so
safely off the floor of the forest so
safely off the floor of the forest so this is the stage where the spider has
this is the stage where the spider has
this is the stage where the spider has just finished building that web and the
just finished building that web and the
just finished building that web and the wasp returns the favor by killing it and
wasp returns the favor by killing it and
wasp returns the favor by killing it and eating it and this is that specialized
eating it and this is that specialized
eating it and this is that specialized web and you can tell what the spider
web and you can tell what the spider
web and you can tell what the spider built because the ciders spider silk is
built because the ciders spider silk is
built because the ciders spider silk is white and wasp silk is yellow so this is
white and wasp silk is yellow so this is
white and wasp silk is yellow so this is a video starting with after the spider
a video starting with after the spider
a video starting with after the spider has been killed that wasp larva is
has been killed that wasp larva is
has been killed that wasp larva is feeding on every last drop of the
feeding on every last drop of the
feeding on every last drop of the spiders blood in order to store up
spiders blood in order to store up
spiders blood in order to store up enough energy to transform into an adult
and then when it’s ready to transform
and then when it’s ready to transform its finished digesting that spider it
its finished digesting that spider it
its finished digesting that spider it then drops its own silk off of the
then drops its own silk off of the
then drops its own silk off of the spiderweb and spins its cocoon and you
spiderweb and spins its cocoon and you
spiderweb and spins its cocoon and you can actually see how it uses its head to
can actually see how it uses its head to
can actually see how it uses its head to hollow out the cavity inside of that
hollow out the cavity inside of that
hollow out the cavity inside of that cocoon these wasps have figured out this
cocoon these wasps have figured out this
cocoon these wasps have figured out this mind-control thing pretty well and the
mind-control thing pretty well and the
mind-control thing pretty well and the queen of all mind-controlling wasps is
queen of all mind-controlling wasps is
queen of all mind-controlling wasps is the emerald cockroach wasp so this is a
the emerald cockroach wasp so this is a
the emerald cockroach wasp so this is a wasp that hunts cockroaches to feed its
wasp that hunts cockroaches to feed its
wasp that hunts cockroaches to feed its young and it is more cunning and
young and it is more cunning and
young and it is more cunning and sophisticated than your typical predator
sophisticated than your typical predator
sophisticated than your typical predator like a lion or a shark so what it does
like a lion or a shark so what it does
like a lion or a shark so what it does is it starts by paralyzing the cockroach
is it starts by paralyzing the cockroach
is it starts by paralyzing the cockroach it stings it right behind its head
it stings it right behind its head
it stings it right behind its head paralyzes the cockroach and then it
paralyzes the cockroach and then it
paralyzes the cockroach and then it snakes its stinger into the brain of the
snakes its stinger into the brain of the
snakes its stinger into the brain of the cockroach where it has special sensors
cockroach where it has special sensors
cockroach where it has special sensors so that it can grope around the brain
so that it can grope around the brain
so that it can grope around the brain and find exactly the part that is
and find exactly the part that is
and find exactly the part that is responsible for generating the
responsible for generating the
responsible for generating the motivation for movement and it disables
motivation for movement and it disables
motivation for movement and it disables that part and what that means is the
that part and what that means is the
that part and what that means is the cockroach is fully functional all of its
cockroach is fully functional all of its
cockroach is fully functional all of its muscles work but it cannot generate the
muscles work but it cannot generate the
muscles work but it cannot generate the will to move on its own instead it takes
will to move on its own instead it takes
will to move on its own instead it takes its cues from the wasp so the wasp comes
its cues from the wasp so the wasp comes
its cues from the wasp so the wasp comes back it holds the antennae of that
back it holds the antennae of that
back it holds the antennae of that cockroach but with its mouth and it
cockroach but with its mouth and it
cockroach but with its mouth and it leads it as if walking a dog to its
leads it as if walking a dog to its
leads it as if walking a dog to its burrow where it lays an egg on its belly
burrow where it lays an egg on its belly
burrow where it lays an egg on its belly and buries it to be eaten alive by its
and buries it to be eaten alive by its
and buries it to be eaten alive by its babies and those wasp larvae just like
babies and those wasp larvae just like
babies and those wasp larvae just like the others they know how to avoid the
the others they know how to avoid the
the others they know how to avoid the internal organs they can keep it fresh
internal organs they can keep it fresh
internal organs they can keep it fresh as long as possible and on top of that
as long as possible and on top of that
as long as possible and on top of that they actually smear this disinfecting
they actually smear this disinfecting
they actually smear this disinfecting substance on the inside of the cockroach
substance on the inside of the cockroach
substance on the inside of the cockroach to keep it from rotting this is a
to keep it from rotting this is a
to keep it from rotting this is a horsehair worm it’s using its host as
horsehair worm it’s using its host as
horsehair worm it’s using its host as both housing and transportation so in
both housing and transportation so in
both housing and transportation so in this case that worm grows up inside the
this case that worm grows up inside the
this case that worm grows up inside the cricket and once it gets a little
cricket and once it gets a little
cricket and once it gets a little cramped in there it wants to come out
cramped in there it wants to come out
cramped in there it wants to come out and really this were
and really this were
and really this were has a free-living part of its life stage
has a free-living part of its life stage
has a free-living part of its life stage it doesn’t live its whole life in the
it doesn’t live its whole life in the
it doesn’t live its whole life in the cricket but the problem is where it
cricket but the problem is where it
cricket but the problem is where it comes out has to be wet it’s an aquatic
comes out has to be wet it’s an aquatic
comes out has to be wet it’s an aquatic worm when it comes out and so if it came
worm when it comes out and so if it came
worm when it comes out and so if it came out on dry land it would dry up and die
out on dry land it would dry up and die
out on dry land it would dry up and die so it makes the cricket go find water so
so it makes the cricket go find water so
so it makes the cricket go find water so that it can jump in commit suicide and
that it can jump in commit suicide and
that it can jump in commit suicide and that worm can go on to continue with
that worm can go on to continue with
that worm can go on to continue with life cycle so in that pond or in that
life cycle so in that pond or in that
life cycle so in that pond or in that stream the worm will go find a mate
stream the worm will go find a mate
stream the worm will go find a mate it’ll lay a bunch of eggs those eggs
it’ll lay a bunch of eggs those eggs
it’ll lay a bunch of eggs those eggs hatch and they burrow into mosquito
hatch and they burrow into mosquito
hatch and they burrow into mosquito larvae and they insist themselves in the
larvae and they insist themselves in the
larvae and they insist themselves in the skiel larvae so when the mosquitoes
skiel larvae so when the mosquitoes
skiel larvae so when the mosquitoes emerge and they fly out the cysts are
emerge and they fly out the cysts are
emerge and they fly out the cysts are still there and that mosquito lives its
still there and that mosquito lives its
still there and that mosquito lives its normal life it dies on land and it gets
normal life it dies on land and it gets
normal life it dies on land and it gets eaten by cricket and the worm cysts
eaten by cricket and the worm cysts
eaten by cricket and the worm cysts actually knows when it’s inside of a
actually knows when it’s inside of a
actually knows when it’s inside of a cricket and that’s when it knows it can
cricket and that’s when it knows it can
cricket and that’s when it knows it can start developing and that’s how the life
start developing and that’s how the life
start developing and that’s how the life cycle continues this is an ant that has
cycle continues this is an ant that has
cycle continues this is an ant that has been infected by ophiocordyceps and this
been infected by ophiocordyceps and this
been infected by ophiocordyceps and this fungus it gets the ant to crawl up the
fungus it gets the ant to crawl up the
fungus it gets the ant to crawl up the stock of a plant out to the end of the
stock of a plant out to the end of the
stock of a plant out to the end of the leaf and it kills the ant there so that
leaf and it kills the ant there so that
leaf and it kills the ant there so that when the fungus sends its reproductive
when the fungus sends its reproductive
when the fungus sends its reproductive structures out those spores are better
structures out those spores are better
structures out those spores are better able to disperse onto the forest floor
able to disperse onto the forest floor
able to disperse onto the forest floor this is actually a really diverse group
this is actually a really diverse group
this is actually a really diverse group of fungi and each species of fungus has
of fungi and each species of fungus has
of fungi and each species of fungus has its own host and it gets its host to
its own host and it gets its host to
its own host and it gets its host to clamp down in different parts of the
clamp down in different parts of the
clamp down in different parts of the plant some of them are the tip of the
plant some of them are the tip of the
plant some of them are the tip of the leaf some of them are the underside some
leaf some of them are the underside some
leaf some of them are the underside some of them are at the base of a tree and
of them are at the base of a tree and
of them are at the base of a tree and it’s thought that they’re manipulating
it’s thought that they’re manipulating
it’s thought that they’re manipulating their hosts to maximise the ability to
their hosts to maximise the ability to
their hosts to maximise the ability to disperse on to more ants and so they’ve
disperse on to more ants and so they’ve
disperse on to more ants and so they’ve actually shown there’s places where the
actually shown there’s places where the
actually shown there’s places where the fungus is getting the ant to die above
fungus is getting the ant to die above
fungus is getting the ant to die above the foraging lines of its colony so that
the foraging lines of its colony so that
the foraging lines of its colony so that when those spores come out they’re more
when those spores come out they’re more
when those spores come out they’re more likely to get in contact with more ants
likely to get in contact with more ants
likely to get in contact with more ants and actually the white eye you see here
and actually the white eye you see here
and actually the white eye you see here that’s fungus as well so what the fungus
that’s fungus as well so what the fungus
that’s fungus as well so what the fungus does is it hollows out the entire inside
does is it hollows out the entire inside
does is it hollows out the entire inside of that ant and it just happens at the
of that ant and it just happens at the
of that ant and it just happens at the exoskeleton right in front of the eye
exoskeleton right in front of the eye
exoskeleton right in front of the eye that’s thin enough that you can see the
that’s thin enough that you can see the
that’s thin enough that you can see the fungal tissue through that eye membrane
fungal tissue through that eye membrane
fungal tissue through that eye membrane so this is video of an ant this is the
so this is video of an ant this is the
so this is video of an ant this is the different species of ant that’s also
different species of ant that’s also
different species of ant that’s also been infected by this cordyceps fungus
been infected by this cordyceps fungus
been infected by this cordyceps fungus ophiocordyceps fungus it’s in its last
ophiocordyceps fungus it’s in its last
ophiocordyceps fungus it’s in its last hour of life it’s just twitching there
hour of life it’s just twitching there
hour of life it’s just twitching there the fungus has forced it to bite down on
the fungus has forced it to bite down on
the fungus has forced it to bite down on the edge of this leaf and what happens
the edge of this leaf and what happens
the edge of this leaf and what happens is that first night after that fungus
is that first night after that fungus
is that first night after that fungus kills the ant it bursts through the
kills the ant it bursts through the
kills the ant it bursts through the weaker joints of the exoskeleton and it
weaker joints of the exoskeleton and it
weaker joints of the exoskeleton and it spends the next week growing a
spends the next week growing a
spends the next week growing a reproductive stock out of the back of
reproductive stock out of the back of
reproductive stock out of the back of that ants head now my favorite parasite
that ants head now my favorite parasite
that ants head now my favorite parasite that I photographed is the rise of Seth
that I photographed is the rise of Seth
that I photographed is the rise of Seth one the rise encephalon is a tiny little
one the rise encephalon is a tiny little
one the rise encephalon is a tiny little parasitic barnacle that infects sheep
parasitic barnacle that infects sheep
parasitic barnacle that infects sheep crabs this is a sheep crab here and what
crabs this is a sheep crab here and what
crabs this is a sheep crab here and what it does is it gets into the sheep crab
it does is it gets into the sheep crab
it does is it gets into the sheep crab and if the sheep crab started off as a
and if the sheep crab started off as a
and if the sheep crab started off as a male it turns it into a female it
male it turns it into a female it
male it turns it into a female it feminized as the crab and that’s because
feminized as the crab and that’s because
feminized as the crab and that’s because only female crabs have this structure
only female crabs have this structure
only female crabs have this structure that can house eggs and so the parasite
that can house eggs and so the parasite
that can house eggs and so the parasite waits for this feminized male to grow
waits for this feminized male to grow
waits for this feminized male to grow this egg chamber it lays its own eggs in
this egg chamber it lays its own eggs in
this egg chamber it lays its own eggs in that egg chamber and then it activates
that egg chamber and then it activates
that egg chamber and then it activates the maternal care instinct of this crab
the maternal care instinct of this crab
the maternal care instinct of this crab so that it thinks it’s pregnant and it
so that it thinks it’s pregnant and it
so that it thinks it’s pregnant and it will care for the eggs of the parasite
will care for the eggs of the parasite
will care for the eggs of the parasite then every two weeks
then every two weeks
then every two weeks those eggs mature and they hatch out and
those eggs mature and they hatch out and
those eggs mature and they hatch out and they go on to infect more crabs and so
they go on to infect more crabs and so
they go on to infect more crabs and so what you see here is every little speck
what you see here is every little speck
what you see here is every little speck in this photo is a newly hatched
in this photo is a newly hatched
in this photo is a newly hatched parasitic barnacle that is going out to
parasitic barnacle that is going out to
parasitic barnacle that is going out to infect a new crab so let me let me back
infect a new crab so let me let me back
infect a new crab so let me let me back up and tell you a little bit more about
up and tell you a little bit more about
up and tell you a little bit more about where the story came from where the idea
where the story came from where the idea
where the story came from where the idea came from so I was working with my
came from so I was working with my
came from so I was working with my editor Todd James and you know he just
editor Todd James and you know he just
editor Todd James and you know he just said look we got to figure out a fresh
said look we got to figure out a fresh
said look we got to figure out a fresh approach to this it’s got to be
approach to this it’s got to be
approach to this it’s got to be something different and you know I
something different and you know I
something different and you know I agreed I the pictures of parasites I had
agreed I the pictures of parasites I had
agreed I the pictures of parasites I had seen to that point were like jars of
seen to that point were like jars of
seen to that point were like jars of leeches or worm getting pulled out of
leeches or worm getting pulled out of
leeches or worm getting pulled out of somebody’s eye and it’s like they were
somebody’s eye and it’s like they were
somebody’s eye and it’s like they were very successful at grossing you
very successful at grossing you
very successful at grossing you but they really failed at getting you to
but they really failed at getting you to
but they really failed at getting you to appreciate how incredible these
appreciate how incredible these
appreciate how incredible these creatures are but then there was also
creatures are but then there was also
creatures are but then there was also the sake of this this problem of okay
the sake of this this problem of okay
the sake of this this problem of okay well how do i light these creatures
well how do i light these creatures
well how do i light these creatures these parasites in a new way because up
these parasites in a new way because up
these parasites in a new way because up until that point macro photography for
until that point macro photography for
until that point macro photography for me was to find a cool bug shine some
me was to find a cool bug shine some
me was to find a cool bug shine some light on it take a picture you know and
light on it take a picture you know and
light on it take a picture you know and you can make it a sharp light you could
you can make it a sharp light you could
you can make it a sharp light you could make it a soft light you could light it
make it a soft light you could light it
make it a soft light you could light it from this way or that way that was about
from this way or that way that was about
from this way or that way that was about it I mean how how do i how do I take
it I mean how how do i how do I take
it I mean how how do i how do I take this to a next level how do I find a
this to a next level how do I find a
this to a next level how do I find a more interesting way to light these
more interesting way to light these
more interesting way to light these creatures and I had this idea while I
creatures and I had this idea while I
creatures and I had this idea while I was sitting in my friend Stacy’s
was sitting in my friend Stacy’s
was sitting in my friend Stacy’s apartment in Oakland and I don’t
apartment in Oakland and I don’t
apartment in Oakland and I don’t remember what we were talking about
remember what we were talking about
remember what we were talking about because I was distracted by the quality
because I was distracted by the quality
because I was distracted by the quality of light on her face she was sitting in
of light on her face she was sitting in
of light on her face she was sitting in front of a window this is Stacy in front
front of a window this is Stacy in front
front of a window this is Stacy in front of her window in Oakland and the window
of her window in Oakland and the window
of her window in Oakland and the window light was coming around her head the
light was coming around her head the
light was coming around her head the lighting the sides of her cheeks and her
lighting the sides of her cheeks and her
lighting the sides of her cheeks and her nose and showing the topography in a way
nose and showing the topography in a way
nose and showing the topography in a way that had never really thought about
that had never really thought about
that had never really thought about before and I thought how do i scale this
before and I thought how do i scale this
before and I thought how do i scale this down to a parasite level can I use this
down to a parasite level can I use this
down to a parasite level can I use this to light parasites and show the shape
to light parasites and show the shape
to light parasites and show the shape and the contours in a new way and so I
and the contours in a new way and so I
and the contours in a new way and so I had my Stacy light I had my volcano
had my Stacy light I had my volcano
had my Stacy light I had my volcano light I had this idea of how to light
light I had this idea of how to light
light I had this idea of how to light backgrounds to emphasize the drama and
backgrounds to emphasize the drama and
backgrounds to emphasize the drama and the action going on but you know what
the action going on but you know what
the action going on but you know what does that really look like to implement
does that really look like to implement
does that really look like to implement in the field well let me show you most
in the field well let me show you most
in the field well let me show you most of the work was done in hotel rooms so
of the work was done in hotel rooms so
of the work was done in hotel rooms so this is a hotel room in Costa Rica where
this is a hotel room in Costa Rica where
this is a hotel room in Costa Rica where I’m trying to photograph this spider
I’m trying to photograph this spider
I’m trying to photograph this spider being parasitized by a wasp
being parasitized by a wasp
being parasitized by a wasp there’s buckets of spiders everywhere
there’s buckets of spiders everywhere
there’s buckets of spiders everywhere that I’m trying to hides in the
that I’m trying to hides in the
that I’m trying to hides in the housekeeping staff so they won’t throw
housekeeping staff so they won’t throw
housekeeping staff so they won’t throw them out
them out
them out and then you know hotel rooms really
and then you know hotel rooms really
and then you know hotel rooms really aren’t well designed for photography so
aren’t well designed for photography so
aren’t well designed for photography so there’s a lot of moving furniture around
there’s a lot of moving furniture around
there’s a lot of moving furniture around and in this case what I’m trying to do
and in this case what I’m trying to do
and in this case what I’m trying to do is I’m trying to set up a time lapse of
is I’m trying to set up a time lapse of
is I’m trying to set up a time lapse of these fungus flowers and South Dakota
these fungus flowers and South Dakota
these fungus flowers and South Dakota growing and I borrowed this light that
growing and I borrowed this light that
growing and I borrowed this light that had been confiscated from an illegal
had been confiscated from an illegal
had been confiscated from an illegal marijuana growing operation in Spearfish
marijuana growing operation in Spearfish
marijuana growing operation in Spearfish and had been donated to the University
and had been donated to the University
and had been donated to the University who then lent it to me now after all
who then lent it to me now after all
who then lent it to me now after all this effort it totally failed it was not
this effort it totally failed it was not
this effort it totally failed it was not useful at all and I end up building a
useful at all and I end up building a
useful at all and I end up building a lot of my own contraptions lighting
lot of my own contraptions lighting
lot of my own contraptions lighting contraptions so in this case I was
contraptions so in this case I was
contraptions so in this case I was trying to use these fiber optic line
trying to use these fiber optic line
trying to use these fiber optic line light to build a makeshift scanner to
light to build a makeshift scanner to
light to build a makeshift scanner to scan this plant because there’s a
scan this plant because there’s a
scan this plant because there’s a beautiful quality of life that flatbed
beautiful quality of life that flatbed
beautiful quality of life that flatbed scanners produce on flowers and I wanted
scanners produce on flowers and I wanted
scanners produce on flowers and I wanted to try to make that in it again totally
to try to make that in it again totally
to try to make that in it again totally failed it was a pain in the butt to use
failed it was a pain in the butt to use
failed it was a pain in the butt to use and didn’t really work out this is the
and didn’t really work out this is the
and didn’t really work out this is the setup I used a photograph to cover in a
setup I used a photograph to cover in a
setup I used a photograph to cover in a lab in Montreal and so I was able to set
lab in Montreal and so I was able to set
lab in Montreal and so I was able to set up in some research labs which has some
up in some research labs which has some
up in some research labs which has some advantages and disadvantages the main
advantages and disadvantages the main
advantages and disadvantages the main disadvantage is sometimes you don’t have
disadvantage is sometimes you don’t have
disadvantage is sometimes you don’t have a lot of space this is in Boulder at
a lot of space this is in Boulder at
a lot of space this is in Boulder at Pete Johnson’s lab where I’m trying to
Pete Johnson’s lab where I’m trying to
Pete Johnson’s lab where I’m trying to photograph this deformed frog of all
photograph this deformed frog of all
photograph this deformed frog of all these creatures though that the most
these creatures though that the most
these creatures though that the most difficult to photograph was actually
difficult to photograph was actually
difficult to photograph was actually that cricket and I visited this lab in
that cricket and I visited this lab in
that cricket and I visited this lab in New Mexico a couple of times where Ben
New Mexico a couple of times where Ben
New Mexico a couple of times where Ben Donald had these infected crickets in
Donald had these infected crickets in
Donald had these infected crickets in his lab and the first time they all died
his lab and the first time they all died
his lab and the first time they all died the night before I got there the second
the night before I got there the second
the night before I got there the second time they weren’t ready that worms took
time they weren’t ready that worms took
time they weren’t ready that worms took too long to to mature so they weren’t
too long to to mature so they weren’t
too long to to mature so they weren’t ready when I got there and I just said
ready when I got there and I just said
ready when I got there and I just said you know what forget this and I packed
you know what forget this and I packed
you know what forget this and I packed him into my bag and I flew back with
him into my bag and I flew back with
him into my bag and I flew back with them to California and so my my
them to California and so my my
them to California and so my my housemates at this point are used to
housemates at this point are used to
housemates at this point are used to this kind of nonsense and one of them is
this kind of nonsense and one of them is
this kind of nonsense and one of them is documentary filmmaker and so he filmed
documentary filmmaker and so he filmed
documentary filmmaker and so he filmed me photographing these crickets so I
me photographing these crickets so I
me photographing these crickets so I kept them in the in the hot water heater
kept them in the in the hot water heater
kept them in the in the hot water heater room where they would stay warm this is
room where they would stay warm this is
room where they would stay warm this is my kitchen and the thing about these
my kitchen and the thing about these
my kitchen and the thing about these crickets and the worms is that you can
crickets and the worms is that you can
crickets and the worms is that you can actually tell when the worms are ready
actually tell when the worms are ready
actually tell when the worms are ready to
to
to come out they actually turned dark brown
come out they actually turned dark brown
come out they actually turned dark brown and you can see them coiled up inside
and you can see them coiled up inside
and you can see them coiled up inside the belly of these crickets and so I’m
the belly of these crickets and so I’m
the belly of these crickets and so I’m setting up my fiber-optic lights and
setting up my fiber-optic lights and
setting up my fiber-optic lights and getting ready to photograph these things
getting ready to photograph these things
getting ready to photograph these things not my best here today no most of this
not my best here today no most of this
not my best here today no most of this stuff happens at two o’clock in the
stuff happens at two o’clock in the
stuff happens at two o’clock in the morning and so I sort of didn’t remember
morning and so I sort of didn’t remember
morning and so I sort of didn’t remember that he was filming me that David and so
that he was filming me that David and so
that he was filming me that David and so I’m actually putting a layer of rain-x
I’m actually putting a layer of rain-x
I’m actually putting a layer of rain-x down on the glass and so that beads up
down on the glass and so that beads up
down on the glass and so that beads up the water nicely and then I put the
the water nicely and then I put the
the water nicely and then I put the crickets in the fridge for a few minutes
crickets in the fridge for a few minutes
crickets in the fridge for a few minutes to cool them down so they wouldn’t hop
to cool them down so they wouldn’t hop
to cool them down so they wouldn’t hop all over the place and the liquid that
all over the place and the liquid that
all over the place and the liquid that I’m using is not actually water it’s a
I’m using is not actually water it’s a
I’m using is not actually water it’s a called cricket saline it’s a solution
called cricket saline it’s a solution
called cricket saline it’s a solution that mimics the internal chemistry of
that mimics the internal chemistry of
that mimics the internal chemistry of the cricket so that when the worms come
the cricket so that when the worms come
the cricket so that when the worms come out they don’t freak out they think
out they don’t freak out they think
out they don’t freak out they think they’re it’s still inside the cricket
so that picture took me about 23 days to
so that picture took me about 23 days to figure out no I wanted that I did at
figure out no I wanted that I did at
figure out no I wanted that I did at home and so it was not like I was
home and so it was not like I was
home and so it was not like I was working on it 24 hours a day some days
working on it 24 hours a day some days
working on it 24 hours a day some days it was only a couple of hours but all
it was only a couple of hours but all
it was only a couple of hours but all those tricks with with the rain-x with
those tricks with with the rain-x with
those tricks with with the rain-x with the fridge with the crickets sailing
the fridge with the crickets sailing
the fridge with the crickets sailing these are not things I knew about ahead
these are not things I knew about ahead
these are not things I knew about ahead of time there’s things that I just had
of time there’s things that I just had
of time there’s things that I just had to work out on the fly through one
to work out on the fly through one
to work out on the fly through one iteration after the next and you figure
iteration after the next and you figure
iteration after the next and you figure out a problem or you you come across a
out a problem or you you come across a
out a problem or you you come across a problem you just have to figure out a
problem you just have to figure out a
problem you just have to figure out a solution the crickets too jumpy the
solution the crickets too jumpy the
solution the crickets too jumpy the worms freaking out the water doesn’t
worms freaking out the water doesn’t
worms freaking out the water doesn’t look right and you just have to take
look right and you just have to take
look right and you just have to take what what you’ve solved and build on
what what you’ve solved and build on
what what you’ve solved and build on that and so there was a point early on
that and so there was a point early on
that and so there was a point early on in the story where my editor Todd wanted
in the story where my editor Todd wanted
in the story where my editor Todd wanted to see my my progress on the story and
to see my my progress on the story and
to see my my progress on the story and you know he didn’t really have time to
you know he didn’t really have time to
you know he didn’t really have time to look through all my pictures so he
look through all my pictures so he
look through all my pictures so he wanted to send me he wanted me to just
wanted to send me he wanted me to just
wanted to send me he wanted me to just send him a small selection and really I
send him a small selection and really I
send him a small selection and really I wanted him to select see all my pictures
wanted him to select see all my pictures
wanted him to select see all my pictures because I wanted to show him all the
because I wanted to show him all the
because I wanted to show him all the different variations I did I assumed he
different variations I did I assumed he
different variations I did I assumed he was going to tell me oh go back and
was going to tell me oh go back and
was going to tell me oh go back and shoot that from another angle and I
shoot that from another angle and I
shoot that from another angle and I wanted to be able to tell him look man I
wanted to be able to tell him look man I
wanted to be able to tell him look man I tried all the angles so but he asked for
tried all the angles so but he asked for
tried all the angles so but he asked for he asked for a limited selection and so
he asked for a limited selection and so
he asked for a limited selection and so I was scanning through these pictures
I was scanning through these pictures
I was scanning through these pictures was late at night I was listening to
was late at night I was listening to
was late at night I was listening to some electronic music to keep me awake
some electronic music to keep me awake
some electronic music to keep me awake and all of a sudden this the images on
and all of a sudden this the images on
and all of a sudden this the images on my screen started to sync up with the
my screen started to sync up with the
my screen started to sync up with the music I was listening to and I had this
music I was listening to and I had this
music I was listening to and I had this idea that wait a minute if I I can just
idea that wait a minute if I I can just
idea that wait a minute if I I can just take all of these images and I can
take all of these images and I can
take all of these images and I can create a stop-motion by playing them all
create a stop-motion by playing them all
create a stop-motion by playing them all at 15 frames a second that way in five
at 15 frames a second that way in five
at 15 frames a second that way in five minutes Todd can see every image I’ve
minutes Todd can see every image I’ve
minutes Todd can see every image I’ve taken and all of the iterations and the
taken and all of the iterations and the
taken and all of the iterations and the variation I did in between and I just
variation I did in between and I just
variation I did in between and I just threw the layer of music on top just for
threw the layer of music on top just for
threw the layer of music on top just for kicks but by the end of the story I had
kicks but by the end of the story I had
kicks but by the end of the story I had about 33,000 pictures and even at 15
about 33,000 pictures and even at 15
about 33,000 pictures and even at 15 frames a second that’s a very long video
frames a second that’s a very long video
frames a second that’s a very long video so I cut that down and here is the
so I cut that down and here is the
so I cut that down and here is the edited version
edited version
edited version that original dubstep parasite music
that original dubstep parasite music
that original dubstep parasite music video
”
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