Ep. 230 From alien wasps to zombie ants, parasites are all around | #GoodGrowing

It’s a Halloween Spooktacular! While they are usually overlooked, parasites are all around us. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the complex, surprisingly common, and sometimes creepy world of parasites and parasitoids with Dr. Kacie Athey. Learn how these tiny creatures attack and manipulate their hosts, the difference between parasites, parasitoids, and diseases, discover mind-controlling fungi that infect insects, and more!

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Skip to what you want to know:  

  02:47 - Welcome, Dr. Kacie Athey!

  04:46 – What are parasites? How are they different than diseases?

  06:21 - What are some parasites we commonly encounter or affect humans?
  09:59 - Parasites 'in the garden' - parasitoid wasps

  17:22 - Parasitoid wasps and hornworm caterpillars

  23:30 - Parasitoid wasps and aphids

  25:37 - The (sometimes) bizarre world of hyperparasitoids.

  37:33 - Cordyceps - The Last of Us comes to insects

  44:28 - A few more examples of parasites manipulating host behavior

  48:44 - A few parasitic plants

  54:37 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Alabagrus kaciejoae

Mistletoe Show: Learn about this holiday parasitic plant

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